Best maternity support belts and belly bands for pregnancy
Pregnancy belts and bands can help ease backache, pelvic girdle pain, sciatica and give support for your bump – or simply help you extend the life of your non-maternity clothes. We've selected the most effective...
Wearing a maternity belt or pregnancy support band may help to relieve lower back pain, or hip and pelvic pain during pregnancy. They're designed to gently cushion and support your bump to relieve pressure on your lower back and pelvis.
Obviously if you have any pains in pregnancy it's important to talk to your doctor or midewife about this first: you may find a maternity support belt is recommended by your health professional.
Maternity belts may also help if you're carrying a lot of weight with your pregnancy, for example with multiple births. Support around your bump can ease some of the discomfort of the final few weeks of pregnancy.
The scientific evidence for maternity support belts and bands
Research studies have generally been positive, albeit carried out with small groups of pregnant women. A 2017 study¹ of 46 pregnant women with pelvic girdle pain (PGP), published in the Journal of Clinical Nursing, found that maternity belts did help to ease PGP and also made it more comfortable to do everyday tasks – but only when they were worn for short periods several times a week.
A review study² in 2019, published in the Journal of Pregnancy, concluded that wearing maternity support garments during pregnancy can have beneficial effects in alleviating lower back pain and pelvic girdle pain, improve mobility and reduce the risk of falls while pregnant.
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What's the difference between belts and bands?
Maternity support belt – is a belt-shaped piece of fabric that usually sits under your bump. Some belts also have further fabric that go around or above your bump. It will have a fastening of some sort.
Bump or maternity band – these are designed as a stretchy one-piece that pulls up around and over your bump. Some are designed to give support (lighter than a maternity belt), while others are extenders, that simply help you wear your non-maternity trousers for longer.
- Jump to maternity support belts
- Jump to maternity/bump bands
How long should you wear a maternity support belt for?
You should only wear a maternity support belt for a few hours at a time - it's advised you wear one for 2-3 hours and then have a break for an hour. Scientific research suggests they work when worn for short periods. You don't want your muscles to get used to having that support, plus, if there is a major underlying issue, you'll want to fix it rather than mask the problem.
What to look for when buying a maternity support belt
Size - Maternity belts are created to be adjustable, breathable and flexible but choosing the right size for you is important. A lot of belts come in 3 to 4 standard sizes from Small to Large, and there are also plus size options going up to size 34.
Comfort - The whole idea of wearing a support belt is to help feel more comfortable and supported so it's essential for the belt to be as comfy as possible, especially if you're wearing it everyday. Typically the fabric and the support system i.e. the belt fastening or structure, will determine how comfortable it will be for you. Some belts have velcro fastenings and others are stretchy and simply pulled up around your bump.
Fabric - Maternity support belts vary and so do the fabrics. Some are made with breathable stretchy material and others with sturdy material to give maximum support.
Colour - The most common colour is black but you can also find maternity support belts in white, navy, beige/nude and more. There isn't a wide variety of colours because most of time these belts are discreetly worn under your regular clothing.
Wash and care - Most maternity belts can be wiped clean or washed in the washing machine on a low temperature. Always check the care instructions on the belt before washing it for the first time.
When testing maternity support belts, we considered size, comfort, fabric colour options and care.
Our 10 of the Best lists are compiled by qualified and experienced parenting journalists. They rely on a number of sources, including our independent reviews, testing undertaken during the MadeForMums Awards, and feedback from our home testing panel and Top Testers Club. Each year thousands of products are put through their paces by hundreds of parents across the country on behalf of MadeForMums, to ensure we’re bringing you honest and true reviews and recommendations.
Our list is not an ordered ranking from 1-10, instead it is a carefully selected group of tried-and-tested products, each of which we believe is best for a different situation or requirement. We don’t just tell you what is best, we help you discover what is best for your family.
How much do maternity belts and bands cost?
There are a range of belts to choose from and they all serve slightly different purposes. Our list features belts and bands starting from £9.50 up to £79. Some women prefer to pay less if they just need light support or jeans extenders, while and others need a support belt to ease pain or if advised to by their doctor. The most expensive on our list has a hot/cool gel pack included for extra comfort.
Best maternity support belts to ease pain
1. Emma Jane Maternity Support Belt, £9.50
- Best affordable belt
Size: 10-12, 14-16, 18-20, 22+ | Colour: White | Machine washable: Yes | Fabric: Cotton and nylon
Recommended by a Women’s Health Specialist Physiotherapist at Grand Union Physiotherapy, this belt can be adjusted at the back and the front, and it can be used after pregnancy to relieve backache. It comes in a wide range of sizes, which is great if you're plus size. The belt is easily adjustable with the velcro opening to help you achieve the most comfortable fit and is discreet under clothing.
Our MFM reviewer Sarah commented, "As soon as I started wearing the Emma Jane Maternity Support Belt I had instant relief. Both my back and pelvis felt like they had less strain on them and the horrible wobbly feeling I’d had for weeks disappeared."
Read the full MFM review of the Emma Jane Maternity Support Belt
Available from: Ana Wiz and Amazon
2. Jojo Maman Bebe Maternity Medical Grade Air Flow Support Belt, £34
- Best for comfort
Size: S, M, L | Colour: Cream/Nude, Black, White | Machine washable: Yes (30“) | Fabric: 56% Polyamide, 24% Polyurethane Ehylene, 20% Cotton
Described as a 'medical grade' maternity support belt, this band can be used to support the lower back and abdomen during pregnancy and then used after birth too. The two-part support structure provides support to the your tummy and helps relieve any lower back tension. The velcro strap can be adjusted for comfort and for a better fit under your bump. Some mums-to-be found the sizes came up small, so order generously.
Available from: Jojo Maman Bebe
3. ProCare Maternity Belt, £25.49
- Best for back pain
Size: S, M, L, XL | Colour: White | Machine washable: No | Fabric: Polyester, Nylon, Lycra, Spandex
This one-panel belt has been designed to give you support for your lower back as well as your bump. It provides support to your lower back and sacrolliac joints (which link your lower back and your pelvis). You can use the belt at all stages of pregnancy with its adjustable straps and comes in 4 sizes (small, medium, large, extra large).
Available from: Physio Room
4. Belly Bandit Upsie Belly Support Belt, £79.95
- Best for additional features
Size: S, M, L, XL, XXL | Colour: Black, Cream | Machine washable: No | Fabric: Bamboo-based vicose
The Upsie Belly Support Belt, created by pregnancy support specialists Belly Bandit, is made from ultra-soft bamboo-based vicose, meaning it's a more earth-friendly choice. The support belt is secured with velcro fastenings and sits under your bump. Though it is on the pricier side, it comes with a hot/cool pack that can be inserted into a pocket opening on the back of the belt. This helps increase circulation and blood flow, helping to soothe back pain and offering additional comfort on the go. On the downside, you can only handwash the Upsie Belly Support Belt in cold water and it may take overnight to dry.
Available from: Belly Bandit
5. Maternity Trochanteric Support Belt, £20.65
- Best for hip pain
Size: One size | Colour: Black, Navy
If you've been told by your doctor you have Pelvic Girdle Pain, the Maternity Trochanteric Support Belt is designed to give support to your hip area. The belt strap promotes alignment of your pelvis by limiting excess movement around your pelvis and lower spine. There's just one size and can be adjustable with padded Velcro fastening and with a length measurement of 173cm, this should fit most pregnant women.
Available from: Health and Care
6. BeSafe Pregnancy Belt, £35
- Best for car journeys
Size: One size | Colour: Black/grey
This belt has one specific purpose: to make sure you're comfy and your bump is safe when driving or travelling in a car while pregnant. It holds your seatbelt at pelvis level to direct pressure way from your abdomen in case there's a collision but doesn't compromise the safety effectiveness of your car seat belt.
Available from: Natural Baby Shower and Amazon
Best maternity bands for light support
7. Boots Maternity Support Belt, £12
- Best budget buy
Size: M, L | Colour: Black, White | Fabric: 89% Polyester 11% Elastane
Although it's called a belt, this is actually a bump band offering light support. It stretches over your bump and provides comfort for your bump and lower back. There's a knitted panel that helps to add warmth to your lower spine helping ro reduce back pain.
Available from: Boots
8. Belevation Maternity Support Belly Band, from £29
- Best for plus size mums
Size: S, M, L, XL, XXL | Colour: Black, White, Grey | Machine washable: Yes | Fabric: Nylon. Spandex
American brand Belevation offers a belly band with a size range from 0-26. With four-way stretch fabric that's breathable, it offers light support while creating a seamless look - so great for wearing under dresses and trousers. Be careful with the sizing, though – many mums-to-be found they needed to order a size down.
Available from: Amazon
9. Cantaloop Maternity Support Belt, £14.99
- Best for ease of use
Size: S, M, L, XL | Colour: Black, White | Machine washable: Yes | Fabric: 91% polyester, 9% elastane
Again, called a support belt but the Cantaloop is actually a bump band. It features a knitted support feature and smooth sides. Our MFM reviewer Rhiannon said; "it's stretchy and was very easy to put on. There are no fastenings. I just stepped into it and pulled it up around my bump until it fitted snugly. It was so comfortable it's easy to forget you have it on."
Read our full Cantaloop Maternity Support Belt review
Available from: John Lewis
10. Cheeky Rascals Love Your Bump BellyBelt, £15.99
- Best for extending jeans
Size: One size | Colour: Black, Cream, Navy | Machine washable: Yes
These BellyBelts enable you to add a few more inches to your favourite jeans and skirts - so you don't have to stop wearing them once you begin to show. There are 2 different fastening options (button and hook) in short and long sizes, plus side fabric patches. Best for early pregnancy, when your bump is fairly small and may come in handy if your clothes don't fit in those first weeks post-birth.
Available from: Amazon
¹Pregnancy and pelvic girdle pain: Analysis of pelvic belt on pain, Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2017
²The Effect of Maternity Support Garments on Alleviation of Pains and Discomforts during Pregnancy: A Systematic Review, Journal of Pregnancy, 2019
About the author
Janet is a Digital Journalist for MadeForMums. She has a BA Honours Degree in Media Production and has studied further courses such as Fashion Design and Public Relations. Over the years, Janet has developed a keen eye and passion for creating online media content. From that, birthed her blog and Instagram page (@JourneyWithJanet_) which has accumulated thousands of followers. She writes and creates visual content sharing her journey of motherhood, fashion and beauty looks and encouragement for new mums. During her time as a Content Creator/ Influencer she has worked on several brand partnerships with Garnier, Superdrug, Next, iCandy and more. She is a wife and mother to a boy and girl both under 4.
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