DIY Padsicles | Postpartum Relief Tutorial | Delaware Birth and Motherhood Photographer

If you had a tear or episiotomy during childbirth, it's important to take care of your perineum as it heals. Even if you didn't tear-- minor scrapes can be a part of the healing process and swelling always is. This can be a painful and uncomfortable, but there are things you can do to make it easier. Ice Packs, Witch Hazel pads, and Sitz Baths can provide relief. Today we will be making DIY Padsicles which combine the benefits of all three.

Padsicles are a popular DIY solution for postpartum relief and one that I personally found very soothing! They are essentially frozen pads that are infused with healing herbs like witch hazel, aloe vera, and lavender oil.

Here's how to make 'em:

• Gather your supplies: You'll need heavy-duty pads (such as overnight pads). Today we are using a variety: Poise (perfect for postpartum), a couple of regular ol' heavy flow pads, and even a newborn diaper. When I gave birth to my first, frozen newborn diapers were the ice pack of choice at the The Birth Center. In addition to the pads, you can use witch hazel, aloe vera gel, lavender oil to infuse your padsicles to help soothe those sore, swollen tissues. We used supplies that we had on hand: organic witch hazel and a herbal afterbirth sitz bath & mama/baby soak which consisted of various healing herbs including Comfrey, Shepheard's Purse, Lavendar, Uva Ursa, Plantian, Red Raspberry, and Yarrow. You can purchase these "tub teas" from your local herbalist or off of Amazon. You will also need either a plastic or wax paper bag for freezing.

• Mix the ingredients together in a bowl (we used the saucepan we steeped our herbs in). Now I am an eye-baller when it comes to cooking so we used no exact amounts (I couldn't if I tried!) But, if you prefer to be precise, you can measure 1/4 cup of Witch Hazel, 1/4 cup of Aloe Vera gel, and a few drops of Lavender essential oil. Stir until well combined.

The afterbirth tea we used for these padsicles needed to be steeped for 15 minutes. If you purchase ready made, follow the packaging recomendations. If you create an herbal tea blend yourself, use your best judgment for steeping time. Allow the mixture to cool completely before adding any addition oils or extracts.

• Open the pads: Unwrap the pads, but leave the adhesive backing on. This will help the padsicles stick to your underwear.

• Apply the mixture: Using a spoon, brush, or ladle, apply the mixture to the top of the pad. Make sure to cover a large portion of the surface of the pad but don't completely saturate it (we want it to still be absorbent).

Ladleing our afterbirth tea onto the absorbent side of the pad, adhesive still intact.

1. Fold the pads: Fold the pads back up and place them into the plastic or wax paper bag.

1. Freeze the pads: Put the bag with the folded pads into the freezer and freeze until they're completely frozen, which usually takes a few hours.

Packaging padsicles for freezing.

1. Use the padsicles: When you're ready to use the padsicles, remove them from the plastic bag and peel off the adhesive backing. Place the pad in your underwear with the frozen side against your skin. The coolness of the frozen pad will provide relief from swelling and soreness and all those healing herbs with soothe.

That's it! Padsicles are an easy and cost-effective way to get relief from postpartum discomfort.

My second favorite Postpartum pad? Honey Pot .

Seriously, they are one of my go-to

baby shower gifts. In addition to the aloe and lavender that can be used in padsicles, The Honey Pot Company pads are made with peppermint which is both cooling and tingly. As a heads up: If you have sensitivities, I would avoid using any herbal-infused postpartum product.

Curious about other herbs that could help you with fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum?

My favorite herbalism book for moms is Susan Weed's "Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year."

For Other DIY Tutorials:

Check out this free Ring Sling sewing pattern HERE.