Apparel & Accessories Breastfeeding Review

Bamboo Belly Bandit & Mother Tucker Compression Nursing Tank Review

Belly Bandit 1

As you know, I had baby #3 on December 7th. Belly Bandit sent me their Bamboo version to review. I won’t keep you in suspense, I love my Belly Bandit. So much so that I bought another bamboo Belly Bandit, and also a Mother Tucker Compression Nursing Tank. It’s no secret that I’m cheap frugal, and Belly Bandit products are really not inexpensive. So I think it says a lot that I spent the money on them!

Belly Bandit 2 Belly Bandit 3 height
Belly Bandit 4 closure

If you’ve never heard of a Belly Bandit, they are basically abdominal binders that support your core muscles and help flatten your belly postpartum. Abdominal binding has a long history, and in my opinion it works! The original Belly Bandit retails for $45.95, and the Bamboo is considerably higher at $65.95. The fabric is silky soft, naturally microbial etc. All the same reasons why I love it in diapers.

Belly Bandit 5 4 wks preg Belly Bandit 6 40 wks preg

There I am above in my first “belly pic” at 4 weeks, and at 40 weeks! I started wearing the Belly Bandit about 2 hours after my son was born. I chose the size when I was around 8 months along, using their sizing tips. Wearing the Belly Bandit was instant relief for me since I felt “held together” instead of having that floppy, jello “hey, where’d my abs go?” feeling.

Belly Bandit 7 2 days pp belly
Belly Bandit 9 on 2 days pp Belly Bandit 10 on under clothes 2 days pp

I didn’t take a photo immediately postpartum, but I think we all know what that looks like. Pregnant, only slightly smaller and squishier. 😉 I did take a photo at 2 days postpartum, and I’m also showing you what the small Belly Bandit looked on me then, and also what it looked like under clothes. It is a wee bit bulky, but I don’t think it’s terribly noticeable under looser fitting clothes, and I don’t know many brand new moms who are wearing tight clothing!

Belly Bandit 11 on under clothes5 days pp Belly Bandit 12 after 5 days use

By 5 days postpartum (above) I had the small all the way closed. It did start to crease a bit at the waist, but nothing terrible. The rep at Belly Bandit thought maybe I needed the XS to start, but I’m not sure I would have gotten it closed that first day! It’s pretty common to need more than one size as you shrink, but your first size will usually last more than 5 days, so don’t let that scare you! I do wish there was a bit more Velcro on the band so it would last a little longer.

Belly Bandit 13 after 2.5 wks use

I waffled for a week about ordering another one, since they really are a little pricey for someone on a tight budget. In the end, I did order, and I went ahead and splurged on the Bamboo! I continued to use the small on and off while I waited for the XS to arrive. Above is what it looked like after 2.5 weeks of use. It really started to crease quite a bit and worked it’s way up into the small of my back (the front stayed flat.) Belly Bandit says it is normal for this to happen, kind of like a band aid conforming to your body. It doesn’t affect the functioning of the band!

Belly Bandit 14 pkg Belly Bandit 15

My only complaint is that my package shipped via Fed Ex smart post, so it took seemingly forever (about 10 days, which does seem like forever when you’re waiting for something!) I really don’t understand the whole smart post thing. I guess it’s cheaper somehow? It was about 20 minutes away from me nearly a week before it got to me, then went to another state before it came back here. Weird. But it did get here!

Belly Bandit 16 mother tucker

As I said, in addition to the XS Belly Bandit, I also ordered the Mother Tucker Compression Nursing Tank. This made my hubby do a double take, since it’s one teeny, tiny line away from something very different than mother “tucker.” LOL

Belly Bandit 17 pkg Belly Bandit 18 size

I was kind of worried about the sizing. As is typical for me, my band size falls into a small, but my cup size would fall into a Large or XL (if they had it.) I went with a small.

Belly Bandit 19 instructions
Belly Bandit 20 pks Belly Bandit 21 size

The helpful hint made me laugh. I love the use of humor on product packaging! They are right though. Stepping into it was snug enough, I can’t imagine trying to get it over my head!!

Belly Bandit 22 tag Belly Bandit 23 tag
Belly Bandit 24 inside cupsBelly Bandit 25 strap adjustment

The cups just slide to the side to nurse, there are no clips or contraptions. It’s supportive without anything uncomfortable digging in, and the straps are adjustable. Since I’m petite, I’m used to things not adjusting quite as tightly as I need, but I was able to make it work anyway.

Belly Bandit 26 mother tucker Belly Bandit 27 bottom panel

The nursing tank has a wide band on the bottom that keeps it from rolling up, and it really does work.

Belly Bandit 28 3 wks pp

I can’t believe I’m doing this (LOL) but above is a pic of me at 3 weeks postpartum. I intentionally chose a shirt that was unflatteringly snug. I look less pudgy in clothes that fit better, but that wouldn’t make for a good before/after shot, now would it? 😉

Belly Bandit 29 xs 3 wks pp Belly Bandit 30 xs on 3 wks pp

Here I am in the XS Belly Bandit. This one almost immediately started creasing at my lower back. I think that’s because my waist is smaller than my hips. That may sound like a big “duh” statement, but think about your body shape immediately postpartum. I was able to prevent this a bit by closing it kind of at an angle…tighter up top and looser down towards my hips. I didn’t initially wear the Belly Bandit to bed because with my foggy brain I missed that part of the instructions. The bamboo was very comfortable at night, and wearing it to bed really helped my comfort since it supported my back and waist. The more I wear it, the bigger difference I see when I take it off. After just a few days of wearing the XS, I look far thinner than I do in my “before” shot above.

Belly Bandit 31 mother tucker on 3 wks pp

Above, I’m wearing the Mother Tucker nursing tank! I was worried about how it would feel since it sure was tight trying to wrestle myself into it! I was really surprised that once I got it on, I really couldn’t even tell I was wearing it. It was very comfortable, but really smoothed the lumps and bumps. The no-roll band comes down low on my hips, so it also serves as a tummy cover if my shirt lifts, which I love. I could really use some extra cup space though. I wouldn’t wear the tank under a snug fitting shirt since I end up with a quad-boob look if I don’t keep tucking myself back in, LOL. I do wish they would make a small-plus (medium-plus, large-plus etc.) option for those of us who get disproportionately large in the milk-factory area while nursing. 🙂

The Mother Tucker is expensive at $79.95, but it’s not too much more than a decent nursing bra in my size. Unfortunately I can’t buy my nursing bras at a local store thanks to the unusual size, so I have to spend a fortune to order them online. I do wish I could get a second one so I didn’t have to be without it on laundry day, but there’s no way I can squeak another one out of our budget!

I love, love love Belly Bandit products. They have made a huge difference in how I look (everyone who has seen me has said I look great!) as well as how I feel. Not just physically, but emotionally. Gaining 40 pounds that are nicely hidden by maternity clothes, then having to face the flab and “real” clothes isn’t exactly easy, you know? Belly Bandit sure does ease the sting!

You can buy Belly Bandit products directly from the company online, or find a retailer near you. Be sure to follow Belly Bandit on Twitter, “like” Belly Bandit on Facebook and check out Belly Bandit on YouTube.

Although there are no affiliate links within this post, I love Belly Bandit products so much, that I signed up as an affiliate. Please see the banner in the footer, or on my affiliates page if you would like to support this blog while making a purchase. 🙂

FTC compliance: I received one Belly Bandit at no charge for review purposes. The other two items were purchased by me at normal retail prices. I was not compensated for this post and all opinions are my own.


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Maria
Maria is an aspiring "fit mom" of 3 children, writing about cloth diapers, going green, and her life as a single mom. Maria works with many companies within the cloth diaper industry and beyond, providing social media management, product development, and other services.
17 Comments
  • June 12, 2014 at 2:53 pm
    Reply

    […] A quality belly binder or wrap provides much needed support for mom’s abdominal muscles. I loved mine! […]

  • loppie
    November 16, 2013 at 6:05 am
    Reply

    Wooow thanks for the info and pictures, I am in the UK I want to get the bamboo one. Currently I am trying calculate shipping cost from the US to me, pls can you check the pack of yours and let me know the weight of the package. Tnx

    • November 16, 2013 at 7:18 pm
      Reply

      I wish I could tell you. I passed mine along to another mama who had a baby a few months ago. :-/

  • BB
    August 29, 2012 at 6:14 am
    Reply

    I live in Alaska and can’t seem to find an affordable way to get a belly bandit. My cousin in Florida has only good things to say about it, but no one retails them in Alaska. Any suggestions?

  • Sabina
    May 4, 2012 at 11:13 am
    Reply

    IT doesn’t do anything, it is just waist of money!

    • May 4, 2012 at 1:37 pm
      Reply

      It made a huge difference for me! I only used it for a month or so. I don’t use the tank anymore because they just aren’t designed for busty gals.

  • Amy
    March 13, 2012 at 10:19 pm
    Reply

    Thanks for the great review! Did you wear the belly bandit under the nursing top?

    • March 14, 2012 at 7:38 am
      Reply

      I don’t think I’d be able to, the nursing top is quite snug to get on.

  • January 3, 2012 at 10:41 am
    Reply

    Thanks for the review. I have been going back and forth with myself about whether I want to pay $80 bucks for a nursing tank. I think I do (my girls aren’t too big even when I’m nursing). Having all that jiggle held in and being able to nurse are worth it.

    • January 3, 2012 at 11:00 am
      Reply

      It really smooths the bumps & bulges too. No muffin top! I can’t believe how comfy it is though despite all the holding in it does!

  • tosha p
    January 2, 2012 at 9:20 pm
    Reply

    If you had another chance would you get the Medium M Tank? I have the same top heavy issue lol

    • January 2, 2012 at 9:25 pm
      Reply

      I probably wouldn’t just because if the “band” area of the tank is too big, it won’t do anything to support me, kwim? Plus DD still wouldn’t really quite do it for me. I’d love to see Belly Bandit & Bravado join forces to make a compression nursing tank with an awesome REAL bra built in!

  • Sabrina Radke
    January 2, 2012 at 4:27 pm
    Reply

    WOW, thanks for the info! I always appreciate the photos in your posts!

    • January 2, 2012 at 4:57 pm
      Reply

      I think I deserve a cookie for my bravery in posting said pictures. 😉

  • Rachel N
    January 2, 2012 at 1:30 pm
    Reply

    So, does it actually make you thinner when you are not wearing it or is it only when you wear it?

    • January 2, 2012 at 1:43 pm
      Reply

      It not only helped my uterus shrink, but it has brought my muscles back together, so yes, the results last, it’s not like a girdle that only helps while you’re wearing it. 🙂

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