Postpartum Sitz Bath Recipes
Have you been looking for the perfect super healing postpartum sitz bath recipe? Then look no further. I have had 3 babies and was so excited to be gifted some amazing postpartum sitz bath herbal remedies from my midwife last time! You can buy premade sitz bath mixtures or make your own. Either way, I have a ton here that you are going to love!
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What is a Postpartum Sitz Bath?
A sitz bath is a warm, shallow bath that covers pretty much just your lady bits and your buttocks. (You can make it deeper if you want but you don’t have to.)
It can be used to cleanse the perineum postpartum and to help to relieve the swelling, pain, and overall discomfort of pushing a tiny human out of your hoo-ha.
If you had tearing, stiches, and episiotomy, or have hemorrhoids these will help those problems too! Postpartum sitz baths are incredibly helpful after delivery to help with the healing process.
You are essentially soaking your lady bits and the surrounding area in a healing tea when you are taking a sitz bath.
RELATED: Everything you need to know about how to take Postpartum Sitz Baths
How Taking Postpartum Sitz Baths Can Help Speed Recovery
Sitz baths are thought to promote healing by increasing blood flow to the area, which helps speed up the body’s natural recovery process.
But they go far above and beyond that. Really just soaking in warm water would promote healing as well.
But a postpartum sitz bath is filled with herbs, oils, etc. that are all known to ease swelling, pain, and speed recovery. When you have recently removed a human from your loins, and are immediately expected to jump right into feeding and caring for that same tiny human 24/7, speeding recovery is important!
If we are chatting about speeding recovery, be sure you are using your padsicles between your sitz baths. One thing I would absolutely not want to go through postpartum recovery without is a huge supply of padsicles!
I use this healing padsicle recipe to make my own.
And while they don’t compare to homemade padsicles with soothing and healing ingredients, you can even buy ice pack “padsicle” pads ready made these days! (Just in case you already gave birth and I just looking up these recipes now.) I’d still add some witch hazel and lavender essential oil to them personally.
Postpartum sitz baths help:
- reduce swelling
- reduce inflammation
- aid in healing
- speed recovery
- by feeling really soothing
- you do some self care postpartum
How Often and Long Do You Need to Take Postpartum Sitz Baths?
It is recommended that you take a postpartum sitz bath at least two times and up to four times per day for 10-15 minutes each time. However, it is important to check with your healthcare provider before beginning any postpartum care regimen.
Let’s be honest… no new mom has time to sit in a bath for 15 minutes four times a day right after giving birth. That’s like a full hour of free time. Sounds great, but it’s probably not happening.
But what is great is that you can include baby in your sitz bath! Hold them for skin to skin or a bit or nursing time to make those recovery baths actually happen for you! You can even let baby rest in a bouncer or seat right next to the bath and talk to them.
Build Your Own Postpartum Sitz Bath Recipe
Here are some great ingredients that you can mix together to make your own custom postpartum sitz bath. Each of these ingredients is safe and beneficial to use to speed your postnatal recovery.
Simply select the herbs you want to include and add them to boiling water for 5 minutes. Allow to steep 2 hours. You can use it all or make a bunch and store it in the fridge for your next bath.
Also the next section will have some links to more specific recipes… in case you don’t want to simply choose your favorite ingredients from this list to create your own.
Then the following section will have premade options you can purchase too.
So no matter how creative or simple you want this to be, I will have the perfect postpartum sitz bath recipe for you!
8 Sitz Bath Ingredients for Your Postnatal Recovery
1. Lavender – Perfect to use for it’s calming, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Simply steep 1 tablespoon of lavender flowers or add 5 drops of lavender essential oil to your sitz bath.
2. Chamomile– This calming herb can help ease soreness and inflammation. Add 1 tablespoon of chamomile flowers or a chamomile tea bag to your postpartum sitz bath.
3. Epsom Salt for Your Sitz Bath – Adding two cups of Epsom salt to your sitz bath can help reduce postpartum swelling and discomfort.
4. Rosemary – This herb is known for its healing properties and can be used to help reduce pain and inflammation. Add two tablespoons of fresh or dried rosemary to your sitz bath mix or 5 drops of rosemary essential oil.
5. Comfrey – This herb is known for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties and can be used to promote tissue repair. It also contains a lot of Vitamin C and Calcium. Steep one tablespoon of comfrey leaves in a large pot of boiling water and add to your sitz bath.
6. Witch Hazel Leaves or Bark – Witch hazel is known for its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. Add two tablespoons of witch hazel to your sitz bath or add the bark or leaves into the boiling water with your other herbs of choice.
7. Yarrow– Yarrow has antiseptic, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties, and helps with slow healing wounds, which makes it perfect for postpartum care. Steep one tablespoon of yarrow in a large pot of boiling water and add to your sitz bath.
Exact Postpartum Sitz Bath Recipes to Follow
- Easy Sitz Bath Recipe from Hello Postpartum
- 3 Sitz Bath Recipes from Mama Natural
- Homemade Herbal Sitz Bath from Mountain Rose Herbs
- After Birth Sitz Bath Herb Recipe from Wellness Mama
- Postpartum Herbal Sitz Bath Recipe from Mommypotamus
Premade Sitz Bath Blends
If you don’t have the time or energy to mix together your own postpartum sitz bath blend there is no shame in that! What matters is that you make this work for you.
If that’s the case, you can try these.
- Sitz Bath Salts with Lavender and Citrus
- Earth Mama’s Herbal Sitz Bath
- Thena Organic Sitz Bath Soak with Calendula, Yarrow, and more
- Postpartum Bath Salts with Geranium and Lemon
- Postpartum Herbal Bath Sachets (This is similar to what I used and you can see in the photos.)
Wrapping Up the Best Postpartum Sitz Bath Recipe Roundup
These postpartum sitz bath recipes can help keep you comfortable and speed up the recovery process. So, go ahead and try out some of these healing herbs for postpartum recovery today!
In addition to taking these sitz baths, make sure to follow up with your healthcare provider, get plenty of rest and nourish yourself with healthy food during the postpartum period.
I hope this helps speed your recovery time and remember, give yourself grace (and as much sleep as you can manage) in this time.
