Lizzie's Journey

Saturday, April 5, 2008

Belly Bands/Belts for Babies!

So here we go….. Belly Bands/Belts, for kids with vesicostomies. When we got home after Lizzie’s vesicostomy surgery, we were a little overwhelmed to say the least. We had trouble diapering her at the hospital with the help of the nurses, what in the world were we going to do on our own? If we put a larger diaper on her, she leaked out the bottom. Doubling up on diapers was costing us a fortune, and our baby looked like the marshmallow girl. I couldn’t believe there was not a better solution out there, so I jumped on the old computer. Surely I could find some information on the internet…. guess again! Talk about frustrating! I knew who, when and what Brittney Spears had for breakfast, and how to enlarge my penis (if I had one), but there was no good information on how to care for, and diaper a vesicostomy. Luckily, necessity is the mother of invention, and I spent a lot of time trying to come up with a way to cut down on the number of diapers, and help in the way of convenience. So we came up with the Belly Band/Belt idea for Lizzie, and I decided that I needed to share what we have learned with you. If you have any questions or suggestions, we would love to hear them!

So here we go. These bands are easy to use, easy to wash and pretty easy to make. I am not a seamstress by any stretch of the imagination, so don’t laugh at my craftsmanship. On the same note, If I can make them, you can make them. Here are all the supplies that you need (fig1):

Sewing Machine/Thread

Cloth Diapers

Ace Bandage (I use 3” for day and 5” at night)

Velcro

Double Fold Bias Tape (I used 7/8”)

Ribbon (Optional – I used .375”)

Scissors

So let’s get started. Take one of your cloth diapers and make your cuts (fig2). In the pictures I used a 3” ace bandage, so I cut my diaper strips 6” each (they will be folded over for double absorption). Each diaper will make 3 belly bands at this size. After I had my strips, I trimmed 2.5” on each side of the diaper. You may want to lengthen or shorten this number depending on the size of your baby. I used 2.5” on this set, but I may try 3” on the next round and save these until she is a little bigger. Once you have your band cut, fold it in half and pin it. Cut your Bias Tape and ribbon (if using) the same length as your band (fig3). Next you begin sewing. I started by sewing the diaper at the top edge to help reduce fraying. Next I placed the bias tape over the edge, and sewed it onto the band. I then placed the ribbon across and sewed it in place (fig4).

Now we tackle Velcro. Turn the band over to the back and fold over the edge, and place the Velcro on top of the fold (fig6). You will sew the Velcro on both ends of the band (in the back). Be sure and use the softer side of the Velcro, it washes better and doesn’t stick to all of your laundry. You now have the front piece of your Belly Band complete!

For the stretchy part in the back, we used an ace bandage. During the day I use a 3” bandage and at night I made a bigger front section (5” when finished) and I use the 5” ace bandage. Trial and error may help you decide what size you need. We chose the ace bandages because they are stretchy, soft and can be washed. We simply cut them to the desired length (I used 10.5” for Lizzie) and then folded the edge over and sewed a piece of Velcro over the fold. Do this on both edges using the rough side of the Velcro (opposite of the front section). This becomes the back of your band (fig8).

Now you are ready for action! Just connect the Velcro of the two peices (fig9) on one side and place the bandage under baby. Then just connect the other side (fig 10, fig 11). Put a regular diaper on over it (fig12) and you are ready to go (fig13). Keep in mind these pictures show the band I just made. Washing them makes them much less stiff and a whole lot softer, and more moveable. When it is time to change her all we do is replace the front piece with a clean one, and attach it to the same bandage section. I have noticed that the bandages do tend to stretch out some after a few days of wear. You can make 6-7 bands out of each ace bandage, so you may have to replace them every other month or so. At least they are pretty inexpensive and very easy to make.

So far these have worked out great for us (almost a week now). They have cut down the frustration of leakage, and the cost of double diapers. They have held up well during many washes and wears and they seem to stay in place great. I love that it moves with her, so she can bend and play, but it still stays where it belongs. So far we have had no major leaks even during changes. It makes changing a dirty diaper so much easier because it stays in place to cover the vesicostomy so she is not leaking as I am changing her. I think it would have been very helpful when she was hooked to the IV and has constant heavy leakage.