If you’re researching DIY padsicles, chances are you’re getting ready for postpartum. And while you may be busy setting up the nursery and packing your hospital bag, don’t forget to prepare for recovery too.
This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you click and buy, I may receive a small commission (at zero cost to you). Please see my full disclosure policy for more details.
I remember spending so much time getting the nursery ready, washing tiny baby clothes, and packing my hospital bag. What I didn’t spend nearly enough time thinking about was what recovery would actually feel like after giving birth.
Spoiler alert… you’re going to want ice.
If you’re having a vaginal delivery, there’s a good chance you’ll be pretty sore and swollen those first few days. That’s where DIY padsicles come in. They’re super easy to make ahead of time, cost just a few dollars, and feel amazing when you need a little relief.
I made a batch before having my son, and I was so glad I did.
What Are Padsicles?
Padsicle is a quirky nickname given to postpartum pads that you prepare with soothing ingredients like aloe vera and witch hazel, then freeze until you need them.
Think of them as a little spa treatment… for your lady bits.
They’re designed to help soothe swelling and discomfort during those first few days after a vaginal birth.
What You’ll Need
You don’t need anything fancy.
- Thick overnight maxi pads
- Pure aloe vera gel
- Witch hazel
- Fold-top sandwich bags or the pad wrappers
- A freezer bag or container
Some moms like to add a drop or two of lavender essential oil. Personally, I’d skip it unless your provider says it’s okay. Your skin is already doing a lot of healing, and the aloe vera and witch hazel work great on their own.
How to Make Homemade DIY Padsicles
Making them takes maybe 15 minutes.
1. Open the Pads
Lay your pads out flat, keeping the adhesive backing on the bottom.
2. Spread on Aloe Vera
Add a thin layer of aloe vera down the center of each pad. You don’t need a huge amount—just enough to lightly coat the surface.
3. Add Witch Hazel
Drizzle or spray witch hazel over the aloe vera. Again, don’t soak the pad. If it’s dripping, you’ve probably used too much.
4. Fold Them Back Up
Close the pad back up, place it inside a sandwich bag (or the original wrapper if you prefer), and place them in a freezer-safe bag.
That’s it! You now have your very own DIY padsicles prepped and ready to go.
Pop them in the freezer, and they’re ready whenever baby decides to make their grand entrance.
How Many Should You Make?
I think somewhere around 10 to 20 is a good number.
Realistically, you’ll probably use them most during those first several days when everything feels the most tender. Even if you don’t use every single one, I’d rather have extras sitting in my freezer than wish I’d made more.
How Do You Use Them?
When you’re ready to use one, just take it out of the freezer and let it sit on the counter for a minute or two.
Trust me… you don’t want it rock hard straight from the freezer.
Once it’s softened slightly, wear it just like a regular postpartum pad.
Don’t Want to Make DIY Padsicles? Here Are My Favorite Alternatives
If you’re reading this thinking, “Yeah… I don’t really want to spend my third trimester smearing aloe vera onto pads,” I completely get it.
The DIY version is inexpensive and works great, but if you’d rather skip the mess, there are some amazing store-bought options that honestly made postpartum recovery even easier for me.
With my first baby, I made homemade padsicles and was really glad I had them. By my second postpartum recovery, though, I found myself reaching for store-bought alternatives because they were just so convenient, especially with a toddler in tow.
One of my favorites is the Frida Mom Instant Ice Maxi Pads. They’re basically an instant cold pack and postpartum pad in one. You simply fold the pad in half and give it a shake to activate the cooling pack inside. No freezer space, no prep work, and they’re absorbent enough to double as your postpartum pad.
If convenience is your priority, these are absolutely worth having in your postpartum cart.
My “Subway Sandwich” Postpartum Recovery Routine
After my second baby, I found a postpartum routine that worked so well that I jokingly started calling it my “Subway sandwich.” 😂
Here’s exactly how I’d layer everything:
- Mesh underwear from the hospital (or Frida Mom Disposable Postpartum Underwear once I got home)
- A postpartum pad
- Three Tucks Witch Hazel Pads lined up down the center
- A generous line of Frida Mom Perineal Healing Foam
- A quick spray (on your lady bits) of Dermoplast Pain, Burn & Itch Spray before pulling everything on
By the time I was finished, it had so many layers that it reminded me of building a Subway sandwich… hence the nickname.
It might sound a little over-the-top, but when you’re sore and swollen after delivery, every single layer feels like it’s serving a purpose.
One thing I ended up doing that worked surprisingly well was using the Frida Mom Instant Ice Maxi Pads a little differently than they were intended.
Instead of wearing them, I’d place one underneath me while I was sitting on the couch or lying in bed—over my underwear or pajamas, never directly against my skin. It gave me that same cooling relief without adding another bulky layer inside my underwear, and honestly, it felt amazing during those first few days.
Between the cooling pad underneath me and my “Subway sandwich,” I was actually pretty comfortable.
Looking back, I think having all of these recovery supplies ready before baby arrived made a much bigger difference than I expected. When you’re exhausted, healing, and figuring out life with a newborn, the last thing you want is to send someone to the store because you’re missing something that could make you more comfortable.
A Few Things I’d Tell Any Expecting Mom
If I could go back and give pregnant me one piece of advice, it would be this:
Don’t spend so much time preparing for labor that you forget to prepare for recovery.
Labor is one day. Recovery lasts weeks.
Whether you decide to make DIY padsicles, stock up on instant ice packs, or create your own “Subway sandwich,” your future self will be so grateful you took a little time to prepare ahead.
Trust me—when you’re sore, swollen, and surviving on two hours of sleep, having everything ready to go is one less thing you’ll have to think about.
More Newborn Prep You’ll Love
If you’re getting ready for a new baby, you might also enjoy:
