DIY Padsicles: How To Make Your Own Cold Pack for Pain Relief After Birth
Summary
Padsicles, or post labour pads, are cooling maternity pads infused with gentle ingredients like witch hazel, aloe vera, and essential oils. When chilled or frozen before delivery, they provide soothing relief for the perineal area after childbirth. Easy to make at home, they can be added to your hospital bag to support postpartum comfort and recovery naturally.
What Are Padsicles (Post Labour Pads)?
Padsicles, a blend of “pad” and “popsicle”, are frozen maternity pads designed to provide cooling comfort after childbirth. They are one of the most beloved postpartum care traditions, especially for soothing soreness in the perineal area following a vaginal delivery.
In essence, a padsicle is a high-absorbency maternity pad infused with natural, alcohol-free ingredients such as witch hazel, aloe vera, and sometimes gentle essential oils. Once frozen, they help cool, refresh, and soothe the skin, making the early days after birth a little more comfortable.
Many new mums find padsicles invaluable for:
- Reducing the warm, tender sensation around the perineum after birth
- Providing instant cooling and soothing relief
- Supporting natural postpartum recovery
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Offering comfort during postpartum bleeding
Adding a few to your hospital bag ensures you have relief ready to go when you need it most.
Why Use Padsicles After Birth?
After childbirth, especially a vaginal delivery, it’s normal to experience swelling, tenderness, and general discomfort in the perineal area. Padsicles offer a simple, natural way to bring gentle relief and cooling comfort while the body heals.
Benefits of Padsicles
- Cooling effect: Helps relieve heat, puffiness, and tenderness post birth.
- Moisturising: Ingredients like aloe vera hydrate and calm sensitive skin.
- Refreshing sensation: Witch hazel provides a clean, toning feel without harsh chemicals.
- Natural ingredients: Alcohol-free and suitable for sensitive skin.
-
Practical: Doubles as a postpartum pad for bleeding while soothing the perineum.
A few minutes of cooling can bring a world of comfort in those early recovery days.
Natural Ingredients for Soothing Relief
The most effective padsicles are made from simple, natural ingredients that care for your skin. Here’s what to include:
1. Perineal Spray or Alcohol-Free Witch Hazel
Witch hazel has a long history in postpartum care for its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps tone and refresh the skin, especially when applied to the perineal area. Choose alcohol-free witch hazel to avoid dryness or irritation, it’s gentle enough for daily use. Our Perineal Spray is a great pre-made option and can enhance the padsicle with a delicate blend of witch hazel and essential oils.
2. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera provides hydration and soothing relief. Its natural cooling quality makes it a wonderful base for your padsicles, helping to calm the perineum and support overall comfort.
3. Essential Oils (Optional)
For extra cooling and aromatherapy benefits, you can add a few drops of gentle, skin-safe essential oils:
- Lavender for calm and relaxation
- Rosemary or tea tree for an extra cooling effect (use sparingly)
Always choose high-quality oils and use only a drop or two to ensure they remain mild and suitable for sensitive skin.
5. Maternity Pads
A high-absorbency maternity pad is the base for your padsicle. Use a maternity pad with extra long coverage and wings that conforms comfortably to the body, providing both absorbency and flexibility, ideal for postpartum bleeding.
How to Make Your Own Padsicles at Home
You can easily prepare your padsicles before delivery, and store them in the freezer so they’re ready to use once you’re home or settled in after birth.
You’ll Need:
- High-absorbency maternity pads
- Alcohol-free witch hazel or Perineal Spray
- Pure aloe vera gel
- Optional: a few drops of essential oil
- Optional: a spray bottle
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Cling film or reusable freezer bags
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pad: Lay out your maternity pad on a clean surface, keeping the adhesive backing intact.
- Add Aloe Vera: Gently spread a thin layer of aloe vera gel along the center of the pad. Use the maxi pad's inner liner pattern as a guide to keep the aloe in the center of the pad so that it wont gush out the sides later as it defrosts. You will also be bleeding after birth (as your body gets rid of the bloody fluid made up of blood, placental tissue, sloughed off endometrial lining, and mucous called lochia) so you don't want to saturate them completely.
- Spray with Witch Hazel or Perineal Spray: enough to dampen the pad but not soak it through. If you are using alcohol-free witch hazel, fill your small spray bottle about halfway up with witch hazel. Add 5-10 drops of each essential oil then top off with water. Use this mixture to spray the pads.
- Wrap and Freeze: Let dry a little bit then fold the pads back up and wrap each pad individually in cling film or freezer bags to maintain hygiene. Freeze for at least 2–3 hours before use.
Tip: Prepare several pads before delivery so they’re ready to pop in the freezer — one less thing to think about once baby arrives.
How to Use Padsicles After Birth
Using padsicles is simple and intuitive — think of them as your cooling postpartum companions.
Steps for Use:
- Remove a frozen pad from the freezer and allow it to soften for a few minutes before applying.
- Place the pad in your underwear, ensuring it sits comfortably against the perineal area.
- Replace every few hours or as needed.
- Once thawed, switch to a fresh pad or a brief-style maternity pad for ongoing comfort and absorbency.
Use padsicles as part of your postpartum self-care routine, alternating with warm baths or sitz soaks to promote circulation and comfort.
Adding Padsicles to Your Hospital Bag
Including a few frozen post labour pads in your hospital bag (in a small cooler bag or insulated pouch) can be a thoughtful preparation for your recovery. They’re especially comforting after the first shower or bathroom trip post delivery.
Pair them with:
- Perineal Spray: for on-the-go freshness when you can’t use frozen pads.
- Peri bottle: for gentle cleansing without friction.
- Postpartum Bath Soak: for traditional herbal sitz bath.
Together, these essentials create a holistic postpartum recovery kit rooted in care, tradition, and sensory wellbeing.
When to Use Padsicles
Padsicles are most useful during the first week postpartum, but many mums continue to use them as needed for ongoing comfort.
They can be especially beneficial:
- After a vaginal delivery
- When experiencing postpartum swelling
- For soothing relief after perineal stitches or general tenderness
-
To stay cool and comfortable during postpartum bleeding
Alternate cooling care with gentle warmth, hydration, and rest — the combination encourages balance and recovery.
Safety & Care Tips
- Always use alcohol-free witch hazel to prevent irritation.
- If you’ve had stitches, check with your midwife before applying anything frozen directly to the area.
- Avoid essential oils if you have broken skin or extreme sensitivity.
- Discontinue use if discomfort or irritation occurs.
- Keep hygiene a priority, ensure pads are individually wrapped and replaced frequently.
- Padsicles should feel like a comfort, never a concern.
A Tradition of Comfort and Care
Across generations, postpartum care has included cooling and herbal remedies to comfort the body after birth. Padsicles are a modern echo of that, a small, nurturing gesture of self-care that acknowledges the body’s need for rest and relief.
The gentle aroma of witch hazel and herbs, the soft chill of the pad against the skin, and the momentary pause it offers, these are rituals that remind you to slow down and care for yourself.
Every spritz, every pad, every breath is an act of healing, a tradition passed quietly through the hands of women who understand.
Key Points to Remember
- Padsicles (post labour pads) offer cooling comfort for the perineal area post birth.
- Use alcohol-free witch hazel, aloe vera, and soft essential oils for a soothing blend.
- MBH Perineal Spray and Maternity Pads make preparation simple and safe.
- Store frozen pads before delivery so they’re ready when you need them.
- Combine with postpartum sprays or herbal baths for a nurturing recovery ritual.
Expecting a baby? Check out these other pregnancy and postpartum recovery tips:
Stretch Mark Care During Pregnancy
5 Things To Do Before Baby Arrives
How to Write a Flexible Birth plan?
A Holistic Approach to Postpartum Recovery
Postnatal Recovery: Postpartum Care Kit Checklist
Essential Postpartum Care Packages for New Mums
Mother-to-Be Toiletries: Gentle Essentials for Pregnancy & New Motherhood
New Mama Essentials For Recovery After Birth
Let us know how you get on with them, how many you ended up using? Did you find them helpful?
1 comment
Where can I buy the wicth Hazel?