Postpartum recovery is a toughie for most of us. Our bodies are recovering from the toughest task that being a woman lends us: birth. If you didn’t think it was difficult, high five to you. For this lady, my baby’s birth was no walk in the park. Following vaginal birth, these postpartum healing pads were jewels to me in the weeks following Summer Elizabeth’s birth. Today we’re going to talk postpartum healing pads. I’ll tell you how to make them and how to maximize relief using them.
Just as Tucks pads are great for hemorrhoid relief, these postpartum healing pads are great for post-baby swelling, rips & tears, and those irksome hemorrhoids too. Boasting lavender and witch hazel as soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients, these DIY postpartum healing pads are made with nature’s own ingredients, cost pennies, and are incredibly effective to reduce swelling and discomfort. You’ll only need a few items on hand to assure your lady regions will be chilling out max and relaxin’ all cool after your next birth.
Postpartum Healing Pads
What you’ll need:
- Disposable cotton breast pads or cloth menstrual pads *disposable menstrual pads may be used but may require you to double this recipe
- 1/2 cup witch hazel
- 3 tablespoons aloe vera gel
- 4-5 drops lavender oil
- ziplock bags & plastic wrap
Instructions
Combine witch hazel, aloe, and lavender oil in a small bowl and mix to combine. Transfer to a small spray bottle. Spray each pad with the healing mixture until the pad is damp, but not soaked. Place pads in a ziplock bag separated by layers of plastic wrap (so they don’t freeze together) and seal. Store in the freezer.
Insert a new pad into panties in direct contact with your skin after each bathroom visit, where you’ll be best friends with your postpartum rosemary water.
What is your best-kept postpartum recovery secret?
I wish I had this recipe 4 years ago! Thanks for sharing!
Stop by somtime!
Ashley@AllRoadsLeadtoHomeLove.blogspot.com
Dropping in from the Hop Along Friday Hop. I look forward to reading more from you. Hope you can stop by at http://www.bigfoottribe.blogspot.com and return the follow! Thanks.
Michelle
I REALLY wish I thought to do something like this after I had my baby! Thankfully I had the TUCKS pads which I used all the time, but I like that this is much more natural.
Good to know info! Thanks for linking up!
Oh! WOW!!
Why did no one tell me about this after I had my little one, it would have went a long way with my zombie walk lol.
If only I had read this 8 weeks ago!! Thanks for the visit I’m gladly following back x
Visiting from Casey’s “what is on your heart” 🙂 Following you!
Kristina
http://www.yomichaelmichael.com
I will definitely be pinning this and tucking it away for after the twins come. Great tips! : )
These look amazing! I wish I’d had them with my first! Do you harvest your own Aloe or purchase it (like an after-sun care gel)? If you do harvest it, any tips?
I actually just bought a bottle of aloe at the pharmacy, but I’d definitely try it with fresh aloe if I had the plant.
When you say lavender oil, do you mean an essential oil or just a scented oil?
Lavender essential oil has healing properties, so that’s the one I’m referring to. Thanks for asking! Hope you love these pads. I swear they help postpartum healing go so much faster…and the cold sensation feels great too!
I just made my Rosemary water and these! Man, does it make a lot!!! I used a whole box (66) of breast pads! I hope I use them all! I was ment to make these though. A friend of mine gave me the box of pads. I would have never used them because I use cloth. But then I found this!!
How many did you get out of the batch you made?
Lindsay, I’m so glad you gave it a try. I liberally doused mine in liquid and made about 25-30. I used both cloth pads and disposable breast pads with the aloe mixture. Don’t fear, you can definitely use 66 if you change them out every few hours. The shock of the cold is so soothing!
What about bleeding? How do the disposable breast pads handle that?
Not sure if I’d want to go with menstrual or breast pads.
Jana, that was certainly a consideration for me too. I just inserted the breast pads into the menstrual pad and never had any accidents since the breast pads absorbed a little bit and the rest just went to the menstrual pad. Like you said, if it makes you more comfortable, go with the menstrual pads. Hope this helps!
Hi Jelli,
I’m so glad I came across this post before I give birth next month! Thank you for sharing this! What kind of witch hazel did you use? The one with alcohol or alcohol-free?
To be honest, I dont know. There’s only 1 brand I can find here and it’s not labeled well- doesn’t say. Sorry this doesnt help, but I’d guess that alcohol-free would be the best choice.