After I gave birth to my beautiful baby boy, several items helped me during postpartum. And I will tell you, padsicles were definitely one of them. After pushing a human being out of your body, your bottom will be sore. And swollen. You might even have stitches. I was lucky that I only had a tiny tear from pushing and didn’t need any stitches, but I was still pretty swollen and had bad hemorrhoids. Not fun! That will happen after three hours of pushing, which is how long it took me to give birth to my baby boy. So padsicles quickly became my new best friend.

What Are Padsicles?

Padsicles are chilled, large maxi pads that help women recover after vaginal births. They are homemade recipes made with healing ingredients that help relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation. They act as cold compresses and encourage healing after delivery.

How to Make Padsicles: Two Recipes

You can make two different types of padsicle recipes: witch hazel and sitz bath padsicles. These two DIY padsicle recipes offer soothing relief and can be prepped in advance before your baby arrives. Here is how to make both.

Postpartum Padsicle Recipe: Witch Hazel

This is the most common padsicle recipe women make when preparing for their postpartum period. I made this recipe during my second pregnancy with my daughter. Here is what you need and how to make them.

Items You Need

• Overnight Pads
• Witch Hazel
• Natural Aloe Vera
• Lavender Essential Oil
• Sandwich Baggies
• Depends Silhouettes

Directions

1. Open your maxi pads and open the wings. (Leave the maxi pads attached to the original wrap since you will need to wrap them back up once you finish.)
2. Generously pour some of the witch hazel onto your overnight pads from top to bottom. It should be about 1/4 cup.
3. Squeeze a good amount of your 100% aloe vera from the top and bottom of your pad.
4. Grab a spoon and evenly smooth the aloe vera on your pad.
5. Now pour several drops of your lavender essential oil on your pad.
6. Next, you will fold up your overnight pad inside the pad’s original wrap.
7. Then place your folded-up padsicle inside your ziplock baggy.
8. Your padsicles are now ready to go in your freezer and will be ready for when you’re home after giving birth!

Postpartum Padsicle Recipe: Sitz Bath

I made this recipe during my first pregnancy before my son was born. I am so glad I made them because they gave me great relief after giving birth. Below is my Facebook Live video breaking down how I made my sitz bath postpartum padsicles, and here are all the links to help you make your own.

Items You Need to Make the Sitz Bath Padsicle Recipe

• Overnight Pads
• Postpartum Herbs
• Natural Aloe Vera
• Lavender Essential Oil
• New Mama Bottom Spray
• Baggies
• Depends Silhouettes

Directions

1. Boil some water on the stove.
2. Steep a bag of your postpartum herbs for 5 minutes in the boiled water
3. Once the herbs are ready, get your overnight pad ready—I recommend an organic option that doesn’t have chemicals.
4. Pour some of your postpartum herbs onto your overnight pads from top to bottom. It should be about 1/2 cup.
5. Next, shake up your new mama bottom spray and spray your overnight pad—spray the entire length of the pad.
6. Get your 100% aloe vera and squeeze a good amount of it from the top and bottom of your pad.
7. Grab a spoon and evenly smooth the aloe vera on your pad.
8. Now pour several drops of your lavender essential oil on your pad.
9. Next, you’re going to fold up your overnight pad. Be sure that you do not remove the paper to leave the backside sticky.
10. Then place your folded-up padsicle inside your pad’s original bag and then put that inside your ziplock baggy.
11. Your padsicles are now ready to go in your freezer.
12. Once you have had your baby and are ready to use your padsicles, enjoy! They may be a bit too cold and frozen to put on your bottom immediately after birth, so let them thaw for about 5-10 minutes before placing them in your Depends underwear.

When to Make Your Padsicles?

I made these when I was 35 weeks pregnant during my first pregnancy with my son. I didn’t want to make them too early and have them sit or too late—since baby can safely arrive at 37 weeks. With my second pregnancy, I made them at 38 weeks. Since my son arrived at 41 weeks, I knew I had a little time before my second baby came. 😉

How Many Padsicles Should You Make?

If you’re wondering how many you should make, I made 20 padsicles for myself postpartum, which was the perfect amount after my first birth. Some people need more, and some people need less. It’s entirely up to you. I think 20 is a safe number.

How to Make Padsicles Video Tutorial

Here’s a Facebook Live I recorded a long time ago on how to make these padsicles and discussed other great products for postpartum recovery after a vaginal birth.

Postpartum healing looks different for everyone, but small comforts like padsicles can make a big difference. I hope these recipes bring you relief and help make recovery a little easier.