After childbirth, I always felt like women deserved a relaxing vacation to recover. Instead, we end up with a beautiful baby and sleepless nights. At least there’s something soothing like this DIY sitz bath recipe to help with recovery.
Herbs are fantastic after giving birth because they can help speed up the healing process. I’ve personally used a healing salve on both a c-section scar and a small tear a couple of days after birth, and it worked wonders. This sitz bath combines an herbal infusion with a calming soak to ease soreness and promote healing. You can also apply it using a peri bottle or a cooled pad for added comfort.
There are quite a few herbs involved in this recipe, but you don’t need every single one of them. Let’s break down what a sitz bath is and why it’s beneficial for new moms.
The term “sitz” comes from the German word “sitzen,” meaning to sit. It’s essentially a quick soak for your bottom, providing targeted relief to the genital area. These baths can alleviate pain, boost blood flow, and speed up recovery. They’re recommended for:
They’re ideal after childbirth! Even if there wasn’t any tearing during labor, the warm water and soothing herbs can help minimize discomfort and swelling.
You can find sitz bath kits at drugstores that fit right into your toilet bowl. These usually include a shallow basin and sometimes a bag that delivers warm water into the basin. Alternatively, you can get a simple plastic sitz bath bowl without any attachments. These are helpful because they focus the soothing water exactly where you need it.
If you don’t have a sitz bath bowl, a regular bathtub will work. Just make sure it’s cleaned before each use, as you don’t want any germs or leftover soap on your healing skin!
For a sitz bath, here’s what you do step-by-step:
Now that you know what a sitz bath is and how it works, let’s talk about what to include. There are several gentle herbs that can help heal the area (more on that in a bit). You can also add a little baking soda and Epsom salts to speed the healing.
If you have hemorrhoids, try applying a bit of witch hazel to the affected area after bathing. However, there are some things you should avoid putting in a sitz bath!
While essential oils are wonderful, they don’t mix with water on their own and can be too harsh for the sensitive perineum area. Skip the scented bath salts, bubble baths, and similar products.
Herbs can make an excellent ingredient for a DIY sitz bath, and although I’ve used a variety, you don’t need to use them all for it to be effective—just use what you have.
This sitz bath also makes a thoughtful addition to a gift basket for a new mom, along with homemade natural baby care items and lotion bars for mom.
Have you tried using herbs after giving birth? Did they work for you? Feel free to share!
