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Wondering how to make padsicles? Giiiiirl. Today, I’m going to answer all your questions about the latest trend in postpartum recovery.
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EDIT: Since posting this article, I’ve had a great conversation with Both Hands Doula about what she prefers for healthy healing over padsicles.
I’m going to share what she has to say here before continuing with how to make padsicles.
“Here’s a controversial opinion — I don’t love Padsicles. At least not exclusively and definitely not frozen.
What I am a fan of is alternating between a warm herbal sitz bath, and a cool (ie fridge temperature) perineal compress.
With witch hazel, lavender and aloe, followed by an air bath (ie laying with your vulva open to air. A towel or soaker pad will keep your sheets or furniture safe).
Cold restricts blood vessels and slows the flow of inflammatory cells, while gentle heat dilates blood vessels and promotes fluid movement.
We are playing the long game here, and we want to encourage long-term healing.
Padsicles certainly feel good for swelling, and if it’s something you can’t live without, then by all means line ‘em up in your freezer with the prepped casseroles and lasagnas.
But consider adding some warmth here and there to promote blood flow to your perineal tissue.
I recommend a peri bottle with lukewarm water for each time you pee, peri spray/balm and Tucks pads (or DIY witch hazel pads) for tears, episiotomies or hemorrhoids.
Epsom salts to add to your sitz bath, a good nipple balm (you guys know how much I love Earth Mama products), and you should be well prepared for the physical aspects of postpartum recovery.”
Thanks, Both Hands Doula!
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And now back to the original article.
First things first, what is a padsicle?
It’s exact origin is unclear. But by all accounts it’s a combination of the words pad and icicle or popsicle.
Bottom line? It’s a pad, (yes that kind of pad). You prepare them with some special ingredients and freeze them.
The idea is to provide a built in ice pack to soothe your swollen, sore perineum after giving birth.
(P.S. Your perineum is the area between your vagina and anus.)
If you want to get into the science of why each of these ingredients is optimal for healing, you can do that here.
But today, I just want to focus on how to actually make the pads quickly and easily.
So keep reading and we will get right to it.
Ok, let’s do this! How do we get started?
First, you want to buy all four of the simple ingredients you need. (I mean, duh).
I’ll link to my recommendations here for easy shopping on Amazon:
1.Buy extra absorbent, extra long overnight pads
2.Buy alcohol-free witch hazel
4. Buy lavender essential oil (optional for a calming scent and additional healing properties)
Got all that? Check, check, check, check!
Now, here’s how to make padsicles with my easy DIY recipe.
STEP 1: First, gather all the materials listed above. Open your pad and keep it flat on the wrapper.
Pro tip: Make sure you’re using the extra absorbent, extra long overnight pads I mentioned before.
STEP 2: Generously saturate the pad with alcohol-free witch hazel.
You’re going for approximately 2 Tablespoons here, but no real need to measure.
You can skip the wings since they will be flipped over and stuck to your pad.
STEP 3: Now it’s time to add your organic aloe vera.
And if you are into precision, we are going for 1 Tablespoon per pad.
Don’t judge me, I only had Banana Boat aloe vera on hand which would PROBABLY be fine.
But I would still be sure to grab organic if you are thinking ahead to avoid the additional preservatives and chemicals.
STEP 4: Dun, dun, dun! The last major step in our little how to make padsicles tutorial is actually an optional one.
Lots of mamas like to add a sprinkle of lavender essential oil.
As mentioned, this is not only for the amazing, calming scent but also for additional healing properties.
STEP 5: Fold ’em up the way they came.
No need to overthink this!
Just be sure to keep the liquid in and the wrapper on the outside so it’s easy to open when you want it.
STEP 6: Nicely pack these into a gallon zip lock bag and freeze them.
Pro tip: Be sure to label and date. And even put a few words of encouragement on the bag.
This will put a smile on your face when you feel like you’re in your darkest hour.
Voila! That’s really all there is too it.
How do I use a padsicle?
You store them your freezer until you get home from the hospital.
You may want to thaw for a minute or two before using them.
Otherwise you just pop one right in your postpartum underwear as needed like a regular pad.
Yes, they absorb blood just like any other pad.
How many padsicles should I make?
According to What To Expect, to “help your perineum heal, ice your perineum every couple of hours for the first 24 hours post-birth.”
This article says padsicles are typically only really necessary for the first 3-5 days, although bleeding and perineum recovery will continue for a few more weeks.
So doing a little quick math, my estimation would be that starting with 20 would have you feeling pretty good.
By the way, padsicles are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to a fast, healthy postpartum recovery.
If you want to know all that there is to know about speeding up that recovery process, I’ve got you covered.
I created a handy, FREE pregnancy guide if you want an empowered birth and fast postpartum recovery.
Where can I buy padsicles?
Ok, I have a confession to make. Now that I’ve shared how to make padsicles.
My neighbor gave me some when I had my son, so I have never actually made a whole entire batch for myself yet.
And the truth is, I would probably never actually make these, now that I know you can also buy them from this freaking amazing brand!
Come on, ladies. Where are my fellow members of the DIY haters club?
You can even use your HSA to be reimbursed for them. So what are we even talking about?
Overwhelmed by everything on your to do list?
Get this handy free guide with 6 Mama Hacks to help you get back some of your precious time. That way, you can spend it on what really matters. Like bonding with your kiddos and having your own needs met again!
-B
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