There are few words to describe the relief of that first cold padsicle after birth. After my second natural delivery, I finally understood why so many moms swear by them - that sweet, cooling comfort when everything feels swollen, tender, and overwhelmed.
The challenge in South Africa, though, is that postpartum recovery products are still surprisingly hard to find. Many of the ready-made options are expensive, often sold online only, and sometimes you buy them without even knowing whether you’ll end up needing them (especially if your birth journey changes and you have a C-section instead).
So when I came across a simple homemade padsicle method shared by a midwife, I decided to try it myself. It was affordable, easy to prep before baby arrived, and honestly one of the best things I packed for postpartum recovery.
What Is a Padsicle?
A padsicle is essentially a maternity/large pad turned into a soothing cold compress for postpartum recovery.
They’re commonly used after vaginal births to help:
Soothe swelling and tenderness
Provide cooling relief
Support healing and comfort
Make those first few postpartum bathroom trips feel a little less intimidating
They’re especially loved during the first few days after delivery when everything can feel sore and inflamed.
The Simple Homemade Padsicle Recipe I Used
This version was incredibly easy to make and used products I could actually find locally.
You’ll Need:
Extra-large maternity pads or overnight pads
Alcohol-free witch hazel
Aloe vera gel that is as close to 100% pure as possible
A clean teaspoon
A freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag
The Products I Used in South Africa
Because I have sensitive skin, I did a lot of research before making mine.
I ended up using:
The Dis-Chem branded alcohol-free witch hazel
Curaloe Soothing Aloe Vera Gel (unscented)
Both worked beautifully for me postpartum with no irritation.
Of course, everyone’s skin and recovery journey is different, so it’s always worth patch testing products beforehand or checking with your healthcare provider if you’re unsure.
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How to Make Homemade Padsicles
Step 1: Open the Pad
Lay your maternity pad flat while keeping the adhesive backing attached.
Step 2: Spray with Witch Hazel
Lightly spray the pad with alcohol-free witch hazel. You want it damp, not soaked.
Witch hazel is often used postpartum because it can feel soothing and cooling on tender skin.
Step 3: Add Aloe Vera Gel
Using a clean teaspoon, spread a thin layer of aloe vera gel down the centre of the pad.
The aloe adds that beautiful cooling sensation once frozen.
Step 4: Fold the Pad Back Up
Fold the pad closed again carefully so the gel stays inside.
Step 5: Freeze
Place the prepared pads into a clean container or freezer bag and freeze them until needed.
A Few Things I Learned
Extra-large pads are worth it for better coverage and comfort.
Don’t oversaturate the pad or it can freeze too hard – some of mine sort of tore apart as I unwrapped them (I used them anyway).
Making a batch before birth is much easier than trying to do it postpartum. You can also share our video with your birth partner or someone in your post-partum support system to help you make them.
Even if you end up not needing them, the ingredients themselves are usually inexpensive enough to make it worthwhile.
The cooling relief feels especially amazing in the first few days after birth.
A Gentle Reminder
Postpartum recovery looks different for every mom.
Some women barely use their recovery supplies. Others rely heavily on them. Some have vaginal births, some emergency C-sections, some smooth recoveries, some slower ones.
Preparing for postpartum is not about expecting the worst, it’s about creating softness and support for yourself in a season where your body is doing extraordinary healing work.
And sometimes, something as simple as a homemade frozen pad can make those early newborn days feel just a little more manageable.
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