If you're preparing for birth & recovery after labour, you have probably discovered postpartum cold packs or padsicles by now. When I was preparing for labour and recovery I bought perennial ice packs online and made my own padsicles so that I could hopefully use something that worked best for me at the time. While the bought ice packs where great, they were no way near as soothing or as comfortable as my homemade padsicles.
Benefits of postpartum cold packs
Cold packs are an essential addition to your postpartum care & recovery. Cold therapy helps reduce swelling, sooth pain & irritation and can help speed up the healing process immediately after the birth of your little one.
With most vaginal deliveries, many mums can expect to be swollen and uncomfortable down there - and inflammation can be even more irritating if you experience any grazing, tearing or stitches. Making your own padsicle will help sooth, cool and calm your lady parts during the healing process.
What is a padsicle?
In a nutshell - It's a frozen maternity pad packed full of amazing healing goodness. The maternity pads are covered and soaked with ingredients to help aid the healing process, sooth your lady bits and calm irritation.
And you can make and store an entire batch in just 15 minutes.
What you need
- Maternity Pads. Maternity pads are extra long and will give you the most coverage when compared to normal pads.
- Aloe Vera Gel. Aloe vera gel is a well known for its healing and soothing properties. Look for a pure aloe vera gel that is free from alcohol and is unscented.
- Witch Hazel (distilled). Witch hazel is highly regarded when it comes to reducing inflammation, swelling and is well known for its wound healing properties.
- Lavendver Oil (Optional). Adding in 2-3 drops of lavender oil (rosemary or tea tree) to your witch hazel solution can be a brilliant addition as these essential oils have wonderful benefits when aiding the healing process.
- Spray Bottle (Optional). Any clean spray bottle that you might have. This makes getting the witch hazel onto the pads a lot easier (and quicker).
- Freezer Bags or Zip Lock Bags. These are for storing your pads in the freezer. You can store multiple pads per freezer bag if you wish.
How to make DIY Padsicle
1. Depending on the maternity pad you are using, either partially unwrap (do not detach it from the wrapper) or carefully remove the pad from the wrapper whilst being careful to keep the wrapper intact. You will be popping / re-wrapping your pad later.
2. Unfold the pad & cover and smear the entire pad (all the way to the ends - trust me!) in a thin layer of aloe vera gel. Avoid the wings.
3. Spray witch hazel solution (with your optional 2-3 drops of essential oils) over the pad so that you have covered the pad with a layer of the witch hazel solution.
4. Carefully wrap your pad back up and pop it in a freezer or zip lock bag and store in the freezer.
Note: you can store multiple pads in each freezer bag. Just make sure that that each pad is individually wrapped.
How to use your DIY Padsicle
Pull out your homemade postpartum cold pack one by one as you need from the freezer.
Let it thaw for about 2-3 minutes (cold is good - frozen lady bits...not so good)
Use just like a normal regular pad.
Enjoy that cooling, calm and soothing goodness!