Bengkung is the traditional Malaysian art of belly binding after birth to warm and heal a mother’s womb. A mother can be bound almost immediately after a vaginal birth or about 2 weeks after a surgical birth after the incision is well healed. A mother can be bound at any point during her postpartum period, but receives the most benefit if binding occurs during the first 8 weeks.
The benefits of Bengkung include the following:
- Helps bring the hips and ribcage back to a non-pregnant state after birth as the abdomen shrinks
- Supports the diastasis recti (abdominal muscles) as they come back together
- Helps to decrease the length of postpartum bleeding (lochia)
- Supports good posture for a new mother as she shifts from being pregnant to carrying and nursing a new baby.
Most of my binds are made from one continuous piece of organic muslin, some may have one seam. No base-piece is provided as I have found it is far more desirable for a mother to use her own nursing tank top or a close fitting knit cami as base layer as it is more form fitting to the body & easier to bind over. Using your own base layer is also far less likely to bunch under the bind. Smaller fabric pieces are provided to use if you choose to use a belly firming paste under your binding. This will help cover the paste protecting your clothing and your bind.
There are many varieties of abdominal binders and belly wraps on the market these days, but the bengkung bind give you the best fit, most versatility and quite honestly, a beautiful wrap you can wear under or over your clothing.
If you are outside the Northern Virginia region & would like to purchase a bind, please see my Binds Page.
Binding Services
Binding service begins at $120 for first binding, this includes the cost of the bind itself and one repeat wrap to teach someone in your home to continue to wrap you as you desire. Additional visits for subsequent wraps available for $35 per visit.
Contact me today to schedule your binding session!