I’ve been researching on belly wraps ever since Chua Bee Bee was baking, and have even ordered those cheap ones from Taobao for RMB20-25 (SGD5 thereabouts). Hehe. But when they arrived, I realised there’s no way I could fit into their L or even XL size (they’re reallyyyy tiny, maybe XS/S). The material also has very minimal stretch and is tough and rough to the touch.

So when I got an opportunity to review Shrinkx Belly and Shrinkx Hips Ultra from My Miracle Baby, I jumped at the chance! I packed these along with me in my hospital bag, not knowing if I will be undergoing natural delivery or a c-section. But it didn’t matter because Shrinkx Belly and Shrinkx Hips Ultra can be used even with c-section. I asked the nurse if I can use Shrinkx Belly in place of the hospital abdominal binder and after looking at my binder, she said ok!

About Shrinkx Belly

Shrinkx Belly is a post-partum belly wrap with customised triple compression. Most other binders only have one layer of velcro, just wrap around and that’s it. Shrinkx Belly has the usual wraparound and a second and third loop so you can even further tighten (and customise) how tight you want to wrap, with no discomfort.

With a c-section, I first used it on my lower abs, around my wound. When I got home and the wound started getting better, I used it on my upper tummy to keep the fats in while using Shrinkx Hips Ultra on the bottom. Post-op, I couldn’t tighten the wrap as much as I wanted, as the tighter it is, the more it ‘ate’ into my wound. But I could adjust the fitting to my circumstances. It works great with a c-section (approved by gynae!), but I think it will be really perfect if you hadn’t undergone a surgery cos you don’t have to factor in additional pain. With a pre-pregnancy waist of 30″, I got size S/M and it fit me comfortably. To get the best results, start wearing the Shrinkx Belly belly band immediately after delivery and wear the band as much as possible during the day and night. For sizing guide and how-to-wear instructions, visit this page.

About Shrinkx Hips Ultra

The Shrinkx Hips Ultra postnatal compression belt helps moms get back their pre-pregnancy hips after delivery. It is the first and only wrap clinically proven to narrow hips after delivery. This binder has no stretch, so wearing it around your hips could take some getting used to.

How does it work? The hormone ‘Relaxin’ stays in our system up to 8 weeks after delivery – this hormone loosens pelvic joints and ligaments for childbirth. Wearing Shrinkx Hips during this time gently guides hips back to their pre-pregnancy position, or smaller. With a pre-pregnancy hip size of 40.5″, I got size M/L. 95% of moms returned to their pre-pregnancy hip size.. I hope I don’t fall in the 5%! For sizing guide and how-to-wear instructions, visit this page.

Is it working?

At the time of writing, I’m 3 weeks + into wearing both Shrinkx Belly and Shrinkx Hips Ultra and have seen a 2-inch decrease in waist size and a 1 inch decrease in hip size. I have to confess that I haven’t been very diligent but I’m happy with the results so far. (edit 10 June: I started my post-natal massage one week after I prepared this post, and my waist dropped another 3.5″ in five days! I wear the cloth binder for six hours daily and then take it off during shower. After that, it’s Shrinkx Belly and Shrinkx Hips Ultra all the way until the next massage session the next day afternoon.)

FAQs

1. When can I start wearing Shrinkx Belly?

Start wearing the Shrinkx Belly postpartum belly band immediately after delivery and wear the band as much as possible during the day and night. Make sure the wrap fits tightly around your waist use the side straps to customise compression on the front of the abdomen.

2. Can Shrinkx Belly be worn after c-section?

Yes but wait to start wearing until you can do so comfortably.

3. What is the fabric content of Shrinkx Belly?

Shrinkx Belly uses a lightweight, latex free mesh fabric that is made of 80% Nylon and 20% Spandex

4. Can I wash the Shrinkx Belly band?

Yes but be sure to hand wash in cold water and lay flat to dry.

5. What is the difference between Shrinkx Belly and Shrinkx Hips?

Shrinkx Belly is a postpartum BELLY wrap to help you lose inches off your belly and waist. Shrinkx Hips is a postpartum HIP wrap designed exclusively to narrow hips after childbirth.

6. Can you wear Shrinkx Belly and Shrinkx Hips together?

Since both products work on different parts of the body you can absolutely wear them at the same time. Remember due to the hormone Relaxin, you only have 8 weeks after delivery to take advantage of narrowing your hips.

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Disclaimer: I received a set of Shrinkx Belly and Shrinkx Hips for review purposes and received no monetary payment for this review. All opinions and comments on my blog are my own unless you bribe me with a lot of money, cash only. But until now I haven’t accepted any bribes yet which is worth trading my 良心 for to say something is good when it sucks. Unless you really got a lot of cash to spare, like A LOT, 收买我吧.

The post Baby: Shrinkx Belly & Shrinkx Hips Wrap/Binder review appeared first on Budgetpantry | Singapore Mummy Blog on Food, Recipe & Baby.

According to various studies, there are many reasons to play music to babies. Interestingly, music is said to help turn breech babies if you position headphones on the lower part of your belly. Bellybuds may be able to help us do so more effectively. What are BellyBuds? They’re flat earphones which can be adhered to your belly as you play music to your baby. And you can do it lying down, standing up, when driving, taking the bus, doing household chores….. whenever you want.

Why play music to baby?

Building memories and familiarity
At about 20 weeks in the womb, a baby’s hearing is already fully developed. At 30 weeks from conception, memories start to form. So that’s why mummies tell me now it’s time to start playing music to Chua Bee Bee, so that when she cries and fusses when she’s out, she can be soothed by the same music. I think I will start playing Jason’s voice to her (yes, you can record sounds and voices through the BellyBud app) because it is already obvious how she much she loves her dad! Whenever Jason comes home and talks to her at around 9pm, she gets crazily excited when she hears his voice.. bouncing, vibrating, making huge waves, like she’s saying, “Hey!!!!!!! It’s dad!!!!! *somersaults*” She’s probably 50% as excited when I talk to her, maybe like, “Oh. Hi.” What is this?! Like this fair ah? LOL.

Helping to turn a breech baby
According to one midwife’s collection of breech turning techniques, playing music, preferably with headphones placed low down on mummy’s uterus could help turn baby’s head. The same article suggests having daddy talk to baby low on the uterus to ask baby to turn.. and in many cases baby will respond to him. It has something to do with babies preferring deeper-sounding voices. With BellyBuds, I can play music AND also have Jason pre-record his voice to play to Chua Bee Bee when he’s not around.

Aiding and stimulating brain development
Prenatal sounds form an important developmental component because they provide a foundation for later learning and behaviour. Many studies say that music stimulates the growth of brain structures and connects many activated brain areas. Plus, listening to the same music together creates bonding and sharing experiences. Bellybuds has a special audio splitter that allows mummy to listen to the same song that’s playing on baby’s headphones, at the same time.

How to use

1. Plug BellyBuds into your phone or any standard digital music player
2. To use without adhesives, just tuck them into your pants for support
3. To use with the provided adhesives, belly should be free of lotions and oils so they stick on correctly
4. You can select ‘Pre’ and ‘Post’ natal settings when using BellyBuds – be sure you choose the ‘pre’-natal setting as it has a lower maximum sound level that’s safe for an unborn child

See product for full details.

My experience

32 weeks!

I tested out BellyBuds after my gynae encouraged me to play music to Chua Bee Bee. I love the fact that the headphones can be adhered to my tummy so I’m not stuck to my bed the whole time and I’m hands-free to do other things, like blogging and cooking! And after removing them, there’s no annoying sticky feeling.

My favourite part is that I can download the VoiceShare by WavHello app (instructions in box!) which allows me and anyone to record messages, upload music and even create playlists to share with Chua Bee Bee. Yes, anyone around the world (like grandparents overseas or a travelling dad) can have the same access to the app and record voice messages for your baby.

VoiceShare by WavHello features:

1. Create specialised messages, lullabies and playlists to share with your little one
2. Share songs, messages and playlists with anyone, anywhere
3. Receive original recordings from loved ones to share with baby
4. Download music, meditations and more from the WavHello digital library

Apart from at home, I use BellyBuds in the office too! This is when I do my editing/writing and listen to what Chua Bee Bee is listening to at the same time.

Where to buy
BellyBuds is available on My Miracle Baby (http://www.mymiraclebaby.com.sg). Enjoy FREE delivery within Singapore for orders S$45.00 and above. Plus, get 10% off your first order!

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Disclaimer: I received a set of BellyBuds for review purposes and received no monetary payment for this review. All opinions and comments on my blog are my own unless you bribe me with a lot of money, cash only. But until now I haven’t accepted any bribes yet which is worth trading my 良心 for to say something is good when it sucks. Unless you really got a lot of cash to spare, like A LOT, 收买我吧.

Next:
FY2016 Budget: Is the government giving us an extra $3K into the Child Development Account?
Pregnancy: Why I’m choosing GAIA Natural Baby Organic Skincare for #ChuaBeeBee
The third trimester: Tips for changing your gynae at Week 35
Pregnancy: When you wrist hurts like nobody’s business (De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis)
How to bake your own chunky chocolate lactation cookies
Pregnancy: Week 39 – Low amniotic fluid and an eviction notice!

Previous posts:
Pregnancy: The big reveal!
Pregnancy: The first trimester scans… I saw an empty womb on my first scan
Pregnancy: The second trimester – harmony test and gender reveal!
Pregnancy: The second trimester – 20-week anomaly scan + gestational diabetes scare
Pregnancy: The third trimester 4D scan – I saw Chua Bee Bee’s cute little face!
Pregnancy: Mount Alvernia Hospital – Maternity Tour & Estimated Bill Size 2016

The post Pregnancy: Bellybuds! Playing music for your baby in the womb appeared first on Budgetpantry | Singapore Mummy Blog on Food, Recipe & Baby.