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Belly Casting

To Preserve Your Bump Forever

What is it?

Belly casting is the process of making a plaster cast or mold of an expecting person's form.

The casting process is designed to allow the expectant person to feel honored and pampered. Their comfort, well-being, and relaxation are prioritized throughout. The process of creating a belly cast usually involves the use of a barrier to protect the skin (coconut oil, sunflower oil, vaseline), then, plaster is applied to the pregnant belly. The mold can also include the chest, arms, hands, or full torso. 

The only materials used are completely safe for both pregnant person and baby/babies. 

A professional-quality, lasting memento of the expectant person's beautiful and unique pregnancy shape is created. Your cast will be treasured as a lasting reminder of your pregnancy and will provide a beautiful connection to this special time in your family's lives.

The Process

1) Please contact us to discuss your interests and ideas as well as ask any questions you may have. When you're comfortable, we will set-up a convenient time to do the belly casting. Belly castings are typically done from around 35 to 38 weeks gestation and typically take up to one hour. 

     Note:  You can feel confident that we will provide all the necessary supplies. You don't need to do anything else aside from showing up!
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2) When we arrive, you will be treated with the utmost respect and care from start to finish. We will clearly explain the process to you, answering any additional questions and addressing any concerns you may have. Your comfort is most important, so if you would prefer your partner assisting with applying the barrier cream, please let us know.
 
3) We will begin by applying a barrier cream on your skin to protect it from the plaster. This also aids in a quick removal once the mold is dry. 
 
4) Once the cream is applied, we will begin applying strips of plaster over the desired locations on your body. We generally do about two layers. This process takes the bulk of the time, generally lasting 30 to 45 minutes. 
 
5) Once dry and the cast sounds hollow when tapped on, we will gently remove it from your body. 
 
6) At this point, you will want to shower to rinse off the barrier cream and paster residue.

7) Once completed, we will smooth the edges, reapply plaster for added strength, and coat the cast with a formula which smooths and strengthens it, once it is fully dry. If you chose either a painting or tile mosaic for your cast, this will be completed after adding additional layers of plaster for added support. 
 
8) Your belly cast will be returned to you within 30 days after your session. Tile mosaics take longer to complete, therefore, please add an additional 2 weeks to complete. 

Now Offering Belly Cast Art!

Fill out the form, below, for a custom quote!

Choose between painting, tile mosaic, gloss finishings, and mounting options.

Belly Cast Images
  • Why choose bengkung belly binding?
    For many reasons! The biggest is that it assists the body in healing faster by providing the abdomen and torso with constant pressure. This encourages the abdominals to come back together to heal and/or prevent diastasis recti. It helps to support and realign the spine and hips and prevents back pain. While wearing the wrap, you are reminded to sit and walk straight, a good antidote to the "nursing-slouch". Due to water and air retention, pelvic expansion, and larger organs (such as the uterus returning to its original size), belly binding supports the body in returning to its previous state. It also decreases postpartum bleeding time by suporting the womb and keeping the uterus in a contracted position.
  • How do I know what size bind I need?
    People come in all shapes and sizes so general sizing is tricky. Unless you already own a wrap that’s the correct length, we encourage you to contact us prior to purchasing so we can figure out your correct size.
  • What makes this method of belly binding better than other conventional and modern methods?
    Your bind will be anywhere from 12 to 18 yards of one continuous piece of muslin fabric. The muslin is very customizable and can conform to any body shape unlike the stiffer, commercially made support bands. As your body returns to its nearly pre-pregnancy shape, your bind will conform to your adjusting figure and will allow you to simply tear off the extra fabric. The Bengkung method also fully covers the entire abdomenal area, plus some; from just under the breasts down to the hips, pelvis and pubic bone area. It provides ideal support and a truly full coverage that modern binds simply cannot provide.
  • How soon after birth can I begin binding?
    If you had a vaginal birth, you can begin binding as soon as a couple days postpartum. If you had a c-section, it is best to avoid binding until the incision has fully healed, generally 4 to 6 weeks after birth.
  • How long should I wear the bind?
    You should wear the bind a minimun of 40 days and for 8 to 10 hours per day, to see the most benefits. Benefits are not guaranteed and are very dependent on how long you bind.
  • Can I wear it under my clothes?
    Yes and no. It is best to wrap it over a tanktop or tightly fitted shirt and then you can put a shirt over if you prefer.
  • What if it is too tight? Is it a compression binder?
    Bengkung belly binding is not a form of compression wrapping. Think of it as swaddling so to speak. You are simply hugging your torso and providing gentle pressure to your abs and back, hips and pelvis. The first wrap around your hips should be only as tight as you want, then you should follow the curve of your body upwards to just under your breasts. If you find it’s uncomfortable when you sit down, you should unwrap and wrap again a little looser. It may take several tries to get it just right. We are here to help!
  • Can I exercise while wearing my bind?
    The short answer is depends on the type of exercise. Your belly and body are healing from childbirth. You want to take it easy postpartum. With that being said, briskly walking to the park, grocery shopping, super light exercise, and playing with your kids is fine!
  • What if I want to use belly paste or essential oils?
    Belly butters, lotions, oils, and essential oils are all ok to wear under the bind. However, it’s recommended that you use a warming wrap or an old shirt under you bind to prevent it from getting stained.
  • How do I wash my bind?
    Since our binds have frayed edges, it is best to hand wash and line dry your bind, otherwise you may have some twists and knots in it. Remember, your bind will be approx. 36 feet long! If you want to wash in a washer, gentle cycle on cold, with like colors. Then line dry. It is common to droop it around a shower curtain rod.
  • How do I measure the tail?
    Grab the tail end of your bind and hold it up to your forehead. Measure all the way down to your pubic bone. That will be your tail.
  • How do I store my bind when not in use? Do I have to roll it back up?
    Not at all. You can just loosely fold it up and store in a basket or bag.
  • Can you guarantee results?
    I cannot make any guarantees. I’m not a physician so I can’t tell you that bengkung belly binding will help you with any medical condition. There are many who have reported belly binding has helped bring together the separation of their abdominal muscles after childbirth (diastasis recti,) provided support for lower back problems, helped slow the bleeding after childbirth (lochia,) and even helped with headaches and arthritis. However, I make absolutely no claims that belly binding will do the same for you.
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