A belly cast is a fun way to remember your pregnancy and more personable and unique than a pregnancy picture.  It’s simply a plaster cast of your belly and breasts (if you choose).  You can even cast your hands, your neck and your thighs if you want. 

How do you do it?

You can purchase belly casting kits from various companies but basically it’s plaster rolls soaked in water and then placed onto the belly.  These are the same plaster rolls doctors used to use for broken bones.  A lubricant is applied below the plaster to prevent it from sticking. 

Then what?

After the plaster has dried, you’ll see the cast has a funny lumpy look to it.  From here, you’d smooth it out with some plaster powder, trim the sides and sand down the lumps.  Then apply a thin coat of Gesso paint (it’s an acrylic primer).

How do I decorate it?

Your only limit is your imagination!  You can take your belly cast to your baby shower and ask your guests to write notes to the baby.  You can paint it, apply stickers, use stencils, whatever you want to do.

How do I display it?

If you want to hang it, use a drill to drill two small holes in the top and thread a ribbon through the holes. Many people will decorate their belly cast to match the baby’s room and then hang it in the baby’s room.  You can also place it on a table or a shelf as a piece of art. 

Come to a belly casting party at Sacramento's BabyStop!