Witch hazel pads are an essential recovery item for postpartum, but how do you use them, where do you buy them, and which brand is the best? This post breaks it all down.
If you’re curious about the healing powers of witch hazel pads for your postpartum recovery, you’re in the right place.
This in-depth guide breaks down the following:
How I used them after birth
What are witch hazel pads?
Why witch hazel pads are good for recovery
The unique benefits of using them
How to use witch hazel pads
The different types of witch hazel products
Where to buy witch hazel pads
The best brand for postpartum recovery
Our pick for postpartum witch hazel pads
How I used witch hazel pads after my second birth
After the birth of my daughter, even though I ended up having a C-section, I had spent three hours pushing, so I was extremely swollen and sore in my perineum l and vulva.
Thankfully, I had packed the Frida Mom Witch Hazel Liners in my hospital bag and could use them layered over my hospital pad.
I can’t tell you how much instant soothing, cooling relief I had from using them, and it felt like such a treat after 24 hours of laboring and pushing. I noticed the pads significantly helped my swelling, too.
Personally, I prefer the longer liners like the Frida Mom ones vs. the Tucks circle pads. The longer liners make it much easier to line your hospital pad, and the convenient pop-top style of the packaging creates much less of a hassle.
What are witch hazel pads?
You might not know this, but witch hazel is a botanical. That means it comes from a plant (the Hamamelis Virginiana plant, to be exact).
Witch hazel is an excellent choice for postpartum healing because it’s a natural astringent, which “naturally draws water out of tissues, causing them to shrink or constrict.”
This, plus the burning, itching, and irritation relief witch hazel pads provide, show why they’re a must-have postpartum recovery item (especially for those pesky hemorrhoids).
So, a witch hazel pad is simply a piece of cotton soaked in witch hazel. Some witch hazel pad products contain other soothing ingredients like herbs or oils. Most will have different ingredients to help preserve the product and keep it shelf-stable.
Why witch hazel pads are good for postpartum recovery
Witch hazel pads are great for postpartum healing and recovery, no matter how you give birth. They are multi-use and will quickly be one of your favorite items in your postpartum recovery toolkit.
Those who gave birth vaginally (or pushed and ultimately had a cesarean delivery) will find witch hazel pads to be extra soothing on your tender and swollen vulva.
Witch hazel pads can also help soothe hemorrhoids from pregnancy or help calm the newly aggravated ones caused by pushing.
If you had a cesarean birth, you can check with your doctor to see if you could use witch hazel pads on your incision to help keep it clean and encourage healing. While it might not be necessary, it’s always worth asking.
So, why are witch hazel pads so great for postpartum?
They are gentle, effective, and cleansing, thanks to their naturally astringent nature. Plus, studies show that their cooling effect helps reduce inflammation, and their natural tannins can help decrease swelling.
Benefits of using with hazel pads
For hemorrhoids
They can help to reduce swelling. Witch hazel contains tannins, which are compounds that can help to shrink swollen tissues.
They can help to relieve pain and itching. Witch hazel also contains flavonoids, which are compounds that have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
They can help to cleanse the area. Witch hazel is a natural astringent, which means that it can help to remove dirt and bacteria from the skin.
They can help to prevent infection. Witch hazel has antibacterial properties, which can help to prevent infection in the affected area.
For perineal tears
Hemorrhoids aren’t the only postpartum symptom that witch hazel pads can help with. A study found that witch hazel pads were effective in reducing pain and inflammation in women with perineal tears after birth.
Another study, published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice in 2019, found that witch hazel pads were effective in reducing the size of perineal tears after birth.
The study participants who used witch hazel pads had significantly smaller perineal tears at the end of the study period than those who did not use witch hazel pads.
How to use witch hazel pads
Postpartum comes with many learning curves, but thankfully, using witch hazel pads is super simple and can significantly support your healing.
Here’s how to use them:
Select a pair of undies (mesh, supportive, etc.)
Pick your postpartum pad of choice
Line the pad with witch hazel pads
Gently pull up your underwear
Enjoy the soothing, cooling relief
The different types of witch hazel products
If you’ve been researching witch hazel pads for a while, you’ve probably noticed a lot of witch hazel products on the market: pads, sprays, liquids, etc. Here’s a quick rundown of the most common types of witch hazel products you’ll find for postpartum healing.
Witch hazel pads
Brands like Tucks and FridaMom make convenient witch hazel pads to line your postpartum pad to help soothe soreness and ease swelling.
The most notable difference between these two is that the Tucks pads are circular (line them like salami on your pad), and the FridaMom pads are a large sheet (pop one out and line your pad).
Pro tip: store witch hazel pads in the fridge for an extra soothing sensation.
Perineal spray
The main ingredient in most perineal sprays is witch hazel. On the ingredient list, you’ll also find a variety of soothing herbs and essential oils that help promote healing and recovery. If you are looking for a convenient spray application of witch hazel, a perineal spray is a great option.
Witch hazel foam
The foam form of witch hazel is a convenient option that delivers the same healing results. You can add a pump to your peri bottle and rinse down there as needed. You can also squirt a line directly on your pad, which could get messy quickly.
The only downside is that the foam won’t stay as cold as the refrigerated pads, and there’s something irreplaceable about the cooling sensation of witch hazel pads postpartum.
Where to buy witch hazel pads for after birth
If you’ve decided that witch hazel pads are for you, you’ll be happy to know they’re super easy to find. Most drug stores, online shops, and big box stores carry witch hazel pads. You can probably find them in the pharmacy section of the grocery, too.
Drug stores and pharmacies
Grocery stores
Online retailers
Big box stores (think Target, Wal-Mart, etc.)
If you’re looking for a specific brand, you’ll probably have the most luck buying from a large online store rather than running around to a bunch of local stores in your area.
Shop postpartum witch hazel products
Which brand of witch hazel is the best for postpartum?
Well, “best” is always a relative term, but hands down, Tucks is the most popular brand for postpartum witch hazel pads. They’re the #1 best-seller on Amazon for hemorrhoid care.
Our favorite brand of witch hazel pads
Our pick for postpartum witch hazel pads? We love the sheets from FridaMom. They’re long enough to cover the most oversized postpartum pad and easy to apply. The easy pop-up dispenser will save you the frustration of picking apart individual circular pads.
Plus, unlike other witch hazel pads on the market, they contain no harsh chemicals, dyes, or fragrances.
Potential risks and side effects to note
If you are experiencing any discomfort, be sure to talk to your doctor about using witch hazel pads or other treatments.
Like anything topical, although not common, witch hazel can irritate the skin, so it is important to start with a small amount and see how your skin reacts before using it on larger areas.
If you experience any irritation, discontinue using witch hazel pads immediately.
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CARLEY SCHWEET
A two-time c-section mom, Carley Schweet is the founder and editor of Hello Postpartum and is deeply passionate about supporting other new parents as they navigate life after birth. She is a published author of two self-care books, and her work is featured on platforms such as Bustle, Forbes, MindBodyGreen, and more, and is a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach.
