Hello beautiful mamas!

So I recently posted a video walkthru on how I made my postpartum padsicles, and I wanted to include a blog post to go along with that video if you’re like me and need something written down!

Like I said in the video you don’t have to use the same amount of herbs I used. I have a full medicine cabinet, so that’s why I used them all (I call my herbal cabinet my medicine cabinet, because let’s be real, that’s what it is).

I’ll leave a list of what I used and put an asterisk next to the herbs I’d say, if you dont have any of these or are buying herbs to make padsicles specifically, these are the herbs to get…If that makes sense.

As always before starting this post, I want to just remind any new readers of my qualifications relevant to this post. I’m a clinical herbalist and clinical aromatherapist. I’m trained to work with herbs for children, pregnancy, PP, breastfeeding and beyond. Meaning I don’t work with just women, but anyone who is in need of herbal support.
You should always use herbs and oils safely and under the guidance of a trained professional. Because of this, my blog and website are not “just another mom blog” and I encourage you all to be wary of any info given on these types of websites (including facebook, instagram or anyone direct selling eo). Please do not feel hesitant about asking for someone’s qualifications. This is your health and whilst EO and herbs are natural, they can also be exceedingly dangerous and even deadly.

The Herbs I Used:

-Yarrow
-Calendula
-Rosemary
-Lavender *
-Plantain *
-Chickweed *
-Marshmallow
-Saint John’s Wort *

All of those herbs are incredible healing plants and choosing just a few was hard. I think these four are incredible herbs and two are underestimated.
Obviously use what you have, use what you can afford. If you don’t want to buy all of these herbs (which typically comes in bulk bags aka expensive!) Please check out my shop page. I will have a Padsicle Herbal bag already made for you, you just add water and pour!

Other Supplies You’ll Need:

–Cotton Pads (You can use cloth reusable if you’d like) Obviously get whatever pads you like but if you need the ease of “here’s a direct link” I’ve added that as well! You just want to make sure there’s no fragrance or weird chemicals in them
–Witch Hazel
-Aloe This one has Lidocaine in it, the one I used has Lidocaine in it as well, but use what you’d like.

The Process:

The whole process is fairly easy. If you’re mixing your own blend you’ll just take equal parts of the herb and put them into a container. I used a tablespoon of all herbs and about 16 oz of water for my pads.

Put all herbs into a container, and pour boiling water over them (I used very hot water because my kiddo was around, I didn’t want boiling water around her). Depending on what herbs you use depends on the length of time you will steep them for.
Technically, if you’re using a root like Marshmallow you’re making a decoction, not an infusion. Those words don’t matter right now, but I’m saying that because the process of making a decoction is different than making an infusion.
To be totally honest, it is easier to just leave out the Marshmallow, but it’s not impossible to use. You just might not get the same strength of benefits from the Marshmallow by doing an infusion that you would if you did a proper decotion.

With all of that mumbo jumbo out of the way, a general rule of thumb is:
The longer they steep the more potent they are. If you’re impatient like me, at the very minimum do 3-5 minutes of the plant matter steeping in the hot water (all plant matter needs to be covered with water). If you have the patience of a saint (or you’re a mom and forgot about it), I’d say 20 + minutes of steepage should be good!

After your herbs have steeped, you’re going to strain them so that the infusion goes into a new and clean container. To this container you’re going to add your witch hazel. I added maybe a quarter of a cup to my infusion. You can’t really go wrong with witch hazel. It is also very healing to the skin, so if you add too much, it’s not a big deal.

Lay out your pads in a deep dish, I just used a casserole dish. You’re going to pour the infusion all over the pads making sure every single one is saturated completely. After doing this you’re going to take your aloe and spread it all over the pad. You can concentrate on just your perineum area, however, I went ham and just aloe’d the whole pad.
Fold the pads back up, place in a plastic baggie or seal the casserole dish and put them in your freezer. During your postpartum season you can use these soothing pads. If you have stitches I wouldn’t recommend using more than one a day. When they have melted or are warm to throw them away and pat your vulva area dry– do not rub or wipe.

I’m sure you’re wondering “Kaylan why didn’t you use any essential oils?”
I don’t think essential oils are always necessary and I think they are massively overused in our society and most of the time they’re used unsafely.
As you can see from all of the supplies needed there is no carrier oil listed. I’m a firm believer and preacher of do not ever use essential oils neat–ever. I don’t care what pinterest says, I don’t care what your friend who sells them says, what your mom group says, do not use them neat. Especially in and around the vagina which is a mucous membrane. You are already in some discomfort, maybe extreme pain, from birth and stitches you absolutely do not want to risk the use of neat essential oils, you do not want to risk an adverse/allergic reaction.
Sometimes I think EO’s are great to use on topical issues, I’ve used them on myself, kiddo, and husband…But I’m also trained to know what and when it’s safe/applicable to use them. A majority of the time you can get the same, if not better, result by using herbs. And it’s safer.
All that to say, I just think it’s unnecessary and a risk. This infusion is just as potent and safer without the use of EO.

This would be such a fun task to do during a Mother Blessing. Everyone joins around and has an assembly line of making padsicles. You could also have everyone bring one of the necessary items listed above and have it be super easy on mama.

As you saw in my video this is also a great way to include older kiddos. My LO is newly 3 at the time of writing this, and she did spectacular scooping and pouring the herbs in. I of course did the more dangerous stuff like adding the hot water and pouring, but she was a big help!

It makes birth and postpartum normal for kids. It shows them how to take care of themselves after birth (when they’re older), or how to take care of their partner after birth. It shows them how to take care of mom. It opens up SO much safe space for conversation and education.
You could explain each herb, what it’s good for.
You could talk about measurements.
You could talk about sexual and reproductive health.
What happens when a baby is born vaginally.
Have discussion about female anatomy (yes, with boys too).

Including your kiddos in moments like this is just such a blessing. And when you’re using these padsicles during your stressful, exhausted, uncomfortable postpartum season you’ll think about making these every time and how beautiful it was–whether it was at a Mother Blessing where you were showered with love or with your kiddos and spouse where you were able to bond and teach.

I hope this post was helpful! I hope you’re able to find use in these padsicles! Again, if you don’t want to buy all of those herbs because some are expensive, please head on over to my shop and grab yourself a Padsicle Herbal Bag! Make life easy for ya 😉

With so much love and light,

-Kaylan

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Facebook I have options for ya 😉
– Birth and Postpartum specifically
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Instagram one and done easy easy 😉