How to Make Herbal Postpartum Padsicles (And Why Every New Mama Needs Them)

If there's one DIY postpartum prep project worth doing before your due date, it's padsicles. They take about 20 minutes to make, cost very little, and deliver instant soothing relief right when you need it most.

Padsicles — frozen herbal pads — are one of the most beloved postpartum comfort tools for good reason. The combination of cold therapy and healing botanicals reduces swelling, soothes perineal soreness, eases the discomfort of hemorrhoids, and makes those first tender days after birth significantly more comfortable. Whether you had a vaginal birth with tearing or just the general swelling that comes with pushing a baby into the world, padsicles are a gentle, natural way to take care of yourself down there.

Here's exactly how to make them.

What You'll Need

• Overnight or postpartum-sized pads — the thicker the better; you want something that holds liquid without leaking. Unscented, fragrance-free only.
• Herbal sitz bath soak — the base of your padsicle. A quality herbal blend with calendula, witch hazel, yarrow, lavender, and comfrey will do most of the healing work. Our AfterBirth Sitzbath Postpartum Herbal Soak is formulated exactly for this purpose.
• Pure aloe vera gel — cooling, anti-inflammatory, and deeply soothing to irritated tissue
• Witch hazel — optional but excellent for reducing swelling and inflammation; use an alcohol-free version
• Zip-lock freezer bags — for storing

How to Make Them

Step 1: Brew your herbal soak. Follow the instructions on your herbal sitz soak to brew a strong herbal infusion. Use about 2 cups of water per 2–3 tablespoons of herbs. Steep for 15–20 minutes, strain well, and allow to cool completely before using. You don't want to apply warm liquid to pads you're about to freeze.

Step 2: Open your pads without removing them from the wrapper. Carefully peel back the top of each pad wrapper and unfold the pad while leaving the bottom of the wrapper intact — this keeps everything clean and gives you something to hold onto.

Step 3: Layer your ingredients. Working with one pad at a time:

• Spread a thin layer of aloe vera gel across the surface of the pad
• Drizzle or spray 1–2 tablespoons of your cooled herbal infusion over the pad (don't soak it through — you want it moist, not dripping)
• Add a small drizzle of alcohol-free witch hazel if using

Step 4: Refold and freeze. Loosely refold each pad, place back in its wrapper or into a labeled zip-lock bag, and lay flat in the freezer. Freeze for at least 4–6 hours, or ideally overnight. Make a batch of 10–15 before your due date so you have plenty ready.

How to Use Them

Remove a padsicle from the freezer and let it sit for 2–3 minutes before use — frozen solid pads can be uncomfortable against very tender tissue. Place directly in your underwear as you would a regular pad. Use every time you change pads in the first few days postpartum, or as often as feels soothing.

They're safe to use immediately after a vaginal birth. If you've had a C-section, padsicles are still useful for lochia management and general swelling — though your recovery focus will be different. Always check with your midwife or care provider if you have any concerns.

Make Them Before Baby Arrives

This is a third-trimester project, not a postpartum one. By the time baby is here you won't have the time or energy to be standing at the kitchen counter brewing herbal tea and assembling frozen pads. Set aside 20–30 minutes between 35 and 38 weeks, put on a podcast, and make a full batch. Your future self will be genuinely grateful.

The foundation of a great padsicle is a great herbal soak. Our AfterBirth Sitzbath Postpartum Herbal Soak is blended specifically for perineal healing and can also be used as a traditional sitz bath, in a peri bottle, or added to a full herbal bath — making it one of the most versatile and hardworking products in your postpartum toolkit. Add it to your registry before baby arrives.