Candius Ajéifá Orisakemi Osundoyin Dean

Belly binding has been a part of postpartum traditions all over the world for thousands of years. Unique belly binding techniques can be found in the birth traditions of Africa, Malaysia, Japan, and Latin America.

Many of these traditions use their own unique tying techniques. Such as the knotted bengkung bind from Malaysia, the sarashi wrap from Japan and faja stemming from several different cultures in Latin America. They all however, serve a similar purpose to provide physical and emotional support during the postpartum period.

Bengkung belly binding technique uses a long strip of cloth to wrap around the abdomen from the hips to the ribcage. Women are traditionally wrapped as soon after birth as possible, ideally on day five and then worn for 40 days or longer as needed. The Bengkung belly binding technique is rooted in Malaysian culture for the postpartum woman. The best time to do this is within the first 6 weeks after birth. This helps things move back in place more easily. It is recommended that the bind be worn for up to 12 hours and then taken off for 12 hours. #BellyBind #PostpartumCare #BengkungTechnique

📸 me practicing on myself
Belly wrap from @sageabay