DIY Witch Hazel Pads for Postpartum Recovery: Cooling Relief for Your Perineal Area
To make witch hazel pads for postpartum recovery, lightly soak soft cotton pads or wipes with alcohol-free witch hazel, add optional aloe vera gel or lavender oil. They are used externally after birth and can help soothe postpartum soreness, stitches or haemorrhoids between pad changes.Use them at room temperature from day three onwards, or freeze them for cold relief in the first 72 hours.
Making your own witch hazel pads is one of the quickest things you can prep before birth, and one of the most appreciated once you are home. They take under five minutes and cost a fraction of branded alternatives.
This guide covers how to make witch hazel wipes and pads from scratch, what to add, and how they differ from the frozen padsicle version.
How to make DIY witch hazel pads for postpartum recovery
DIY witch hazel pads are maternity pads soaked in witch hazel solution and used externally on the perineal area to reduce swelling and soothe discomfort after birth. Unlike padsicles (which are frozen in advance), room-temperature witch hazel pads can be made in seconds and used throughout the recovery period from day one to week six.
They are particularly useful for mums who find wiping uncomfortable, as holding a damp pad against the perineum is gentler than tissue or dry pads.
The goal is to make a clean, gentle wipe that feels cool and soothing without being saturated. Use simple ingredients and avoid anything heavily fragranced, alcohol-based or irritating.
Ready-made soothing spray
Skip the pouring and soaking
The Perineal Spray gives you witch hazel-based perineal soothing in a direct spray, without measuring, pouring, or soaking pads. Useful for the times when even that feels like too much.
Shop Perineal SpraySafety note
Use DIY witch hazel pads externally only. Do not place homemade wipes inside the vagina, do not reuse wipes, and discard the batch if it smells unusual, changes texture or has been stored for too long. If you notice any signs of infection; increasing pain, fever, spreading redness, or discharge with an unpleasant smell, contact your midwife, GP, or call 111 rather than continuing with home care.
What you need
- Clean cotton rounds, soft reusable breast pads or disposable cotton wipes.
- A clean lidded jar.
- Diluted alcohol-free witch hazel solution or a gentle perineal spray. The diluted witch hazel solution can be made at a 1:1 ratio with sterile water
- Optional aloe vera juice/gel or lavender if your skin tolerates it.
- A fridge space if you want the pads to feel cool.
Step-by-step
How to make witch hazel pads at home
You can make a single pad in under two minutes, or prepare a batch in advance to keep in the bathroom.
DIY witch hazel pad recipe: step by step
- Wash your hands and clean your jar thoroughly.
- Place cotton pads or wipes in the jar without packing them too tightly.
- Pour on the witch hazel: Add witch hazel perineal spray or two to three tablespoon of diluted alcohol-free witch hazel directly into the jar. The diluted witch hazel can be made at a 1:1 ratio with sterile water. The pad should be damp throughout, not dripping.
- Add aloe vera (optional): Add about one teaspoon of fragrance-free aloe vera gel for extra cooling and anti-inflammatory benefit.
- Add lavender oil (optional): Two drops only. Lavender has mild antiseptic properties and is gentle on postpartum skin.
- Use immediately or store in the fridge
- Apply: Hold the damp surface against the perineum for 30 to 60 seconds. Do not rub. Swap for a clean dry pad after each use.
Witch hazel pads vs witch hazel wipes: what is the difference?
Use
How to use witch hazel wipes after birth
Use a peri bottle or gentle rinse first, pat dry, then place the pad or wipe externally where it feels sore. Add a fresh maternity pad afterwards so you can still monitor bleeding clearly.
How often can you use witch hazel pads?
Use them when they feel helpful, usually at pad changes or after using the toilet. If the area starts to sting, itch more or feel irritated, stop and switch back to plain water and clean pads while you check with your midwife.
Optional support
Simple postpartum comfort tools
Use witch hazel pads for cooling comfort, then choose a balm only if your skin needs a protective external layer and your midwife is happy with your healing.
FAQs
How do you make witch hazel pads for postpartum?
Place clean cotton pads in a clean jar, dampen them with alcohol-free witch hazel or perineal spray, seal the jar, and use externally one pad at a time.
Can witch hazel pads help haemorrhoids?
They may help cool and soothe external haemorrhoid discomfort. Speak to a GP or midwife if haemorrhoids are very painful, bleeding heavily or not improving.
How long do homemade witch hazel pads last?
Homemade pads do not contain preservatives, so make small batches and use them quickly. Discard them if the smell, colour or texture changes.
Can I use witch hazel wipes instead of toilet paper?
Use a peri bottle or water rinse first, then pat or dab gently. Avoid rubbing the area with any wipe while stitches or swelling are tender.
Do witch hazel pads go directly on skin?
They can sit externally against the sore area or on top of a maternity pad. They should never be inserted internally.
Want the easiest witch hazel step?
Mum Bub Hub Postpartum Perineal Spray gives you an optional no-mix way to add external witch hazel comfort after birth.
Shop Postpartum Perineal Spray