Now that's the kind of thief I'd like hanging around my midsection postpartum! I just discovered the Belly Bandit and it’s definitely one of those "why didn’t they have this when I was pregnant" products. (I’m starting to sound just like my mother…sigh.)

The Belly Bandit is an "abdominal compression binder" or wrap whose sole purpose is to help postpartum bellies relive their former glory. The comfortable elasticized wrap helps reduce uterine swelling and decrease bloating caused by water retention. For breastfeeding moms the Belly Bandit improves posture during feedings and may even alleviate back and shoulder pain sometimes associated with breastfeeding. And if you’re recovering from a C-section the Belly Bandit may help decrease your recovery time and minimize pain related to the incision.

According to Belly Bandit, the binding of a woman's abdomen after delivery is a therapeutic treatment used for centuries all over the world "to help flatten the belly and redefine the waistline." So why didn't we hear about this sooner? I could have tested abdominal compression binding four times! You can catch your own Belly Bandit for around $50 at BellyBandit.com. (Now if they could just make one that works for PMS, I'd be set!) - Emily H.