How to Make a Pregnancy Belly Cast

Of the many projects you can do to commemorate your pregnancy, making a pregnancy belly cast is one that is deeply personal, yet simple to do. Some women make only one belly cast, usually sometime between 32 and 36 weeks of their pregnancy. Others do three belly casts -- one in each trimester -- to memorialize the growth of a baby throughout the pregnancy. Whether making a belly cast to use as a bowl, a nursery decoration or a time capsule, you'll be delighted with this one-of-a-kind keepsake.

Things You'll Need

  • Drop cloth or old sheet
  • Chair
  • Towel
  • Clear plastic wrap (optional)
  • Self-sealing wrap (optional)
  • Petroleum jelly
  • Bowl of warm water
  • Belly cast kit or plaster bandages cut in lengths of up to 12 inches
  • Paint or other materials for decoration

Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase a belly casting kit from a baby store, superstore or online. Alternatively, buy plaster bandages from a local craft store and cut them into strips.

    • 2

      Enlist the help of your partner, a friend or a family member. Ask a third person to photograph the process, if desired. Lay a drop cloth to protect the floor where you'll be doing your project. Arrange the chair on the drop cloth and sit in a comfortable position. Ensure the belly-casting materials are near the chair.

    • 3

      Spread a layer of petroleum jelly over your stomach and any other areas that are going to come into contact with the plaster. Cover your breasts with petroleum jelly as belly casts typically include the entire torso. Wear a strapless bra and cover it with clear plastic wrap or put a layer of self-sealing wrap on your breasts before applying the lubricant.

    • 4

      Ask your helper to wet the plaster bandages or gauze strips in warm water. Smooth them over your torso and stomach. Instruct your assistant to overlap the strips. Ensure there are no open spaces. Remind the person doing the cast to work quickly as the plaster strips will begin to dry a few minutes after you start the application process.

    • 5

      Reinforce your belly cast with multiple overlapping layers. Dip your fingers into the warm water and rub them over the layers to mix the plaster together and smooth the surface of the belly cast. Allow the cast to dry for a few minutes before your helper takes the mold off your body.

    • 6

      Place your belly cast in a secure area and allow it to dry for at least 24 hours. Trim the edges to make them even, using sharp scissors. Decorate your belly cast, using paint, tile or other materials, if desired.

    2. Previous:No

    Next:

    • Baby Shower Gift Ideas for the Mom to Be
      Expecting moms need a lot of attention and love. A baby shower gift doesnt always have to be for a baby, you can also bring something for the new mother. If you are going to do this, why not try to step away from all things baby and get a gift that f
    • Sewing Pregnancy Body Pillow
      Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial to good health, and it is especially important to get your rest when you are pregnant. Unfortunately, as tired as you might be during pregnancy, it can be difficult to adjust your sleeping habits to accom
    • How to Prepare to be a Mother
      How to Prepare to be a Mother. Youre expecting a baby and youre thrilled. Youre becoming a mother. Motherhood really is the oldest profession and the highest calling you could aspire to. But theres more to preparing for motherhood than stocking the n