We’ve upped the ante in the postpartum space, and quite frankly, we moms deserve a bit of genius in our postpartum recovery tool kit. The upside-down peri bottle is precisely that, a practical invention and a splash of love for your lady bits when they need it most.
This article was written and reviewed for accuracy by postpartum doula and author, Leila Armour.
Following birth, your vulva, vagina, and perineal area can be quite sore and swollen, regardless of whether you experience tearing.
This can lead to stress around going to the toilet, where an upside-down peri bottle can become your best friend. ‘Peri’ is short for perineum, which is the area between the vagina and anus. It is the area that is often impacted most by vaginal birth.
An upside-down peri bottle is an ergonomically designed portable bidet designed to gently cleanse without pressure and ensure you always hit the perfect spot. Shop our favorite now.
Benefits of an upside-down peri bottle
- Gentle cleansing
- Reduces discomfort and swelling
- Helps reduce infection
- Offers peace of mind
1. Gentle cleansing
The gentle spray of water from an upside-down peri bottle is incredibly soothing, especially when dealing with soreness or stitches. It helps clean the perineal area without the need for harsh wiping.
2. Reduces discomfort and swelling
Postpartum discomfort is a common experience. The peri bottle’s design minimizes discomfort during cleansing, allowing you to maintain hygiene without added pain.
3. Helps reduce infection
Proper hygiene is vital to help lessen the chance of infection, especially in the early postpartum period. The peri bottle makes it easier to clean delicate areas, reducing the risk of complications.
4. Offers peace of mind
There is so much to think about during the early weeks of motherhood between a new baby and your recovery. Having an upside-down peri bottle to reduce worry about using the bathroom can provide new moms invaluable peace of mind.
How to use an upside-down peri bottle?
Using an upside-down peri bottle is super easy. It is small and portable, so you can also take it to the hospital.
- Fill the bottle with warm water (or the other options explored below). Extend the nozzle and secure the lid.
- Invert the bottle so the nozzle is pointing downward, and position the nozzle near the perineal area.
- Gently squeeze the bottle to release a stream of water.
- Use the water to cleanse the area, starting from front to back. Once cleansed, gently pat dry.
What can you put in an upside-down peri bottle?
Water
Most commonly, peri bottles are filled with warm water. Always test the water temperature to ensure it isn’t too hot. Cool water can be used for a more soothing sensation if preferred.
Sitz Bath Blend
Sitz bath mixtures often contain Epsom salts and other cleansing and soothing herbs to help heal. When a sitz bath isn’t an option, adding the mixture to a peri bottle can help support recovery.
Herbal blends
Some herbs are used in postpartum for their healing properties and healing ability. They are often found in postpartum-specific sitz baths and balms but can be brewed like tea and added into a peri bottle for additional healing benefits.
Herbs such as calendula, lavender, red raspberry leaf, yarrow, and comfrey are most commonly used and can be found in local health food shops or online. Oatmeal is also used to ease any discomfort associated with stitches.
Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel is an astringent that is often used for reducing inflammation. It is also an antiseptic, helps fight bacteria to reduce the risk of infection, and can also help stop minor bleeding.
Related: Witch Hazel Pads for Postpartum: The Complete Guide
Alcohol-free witch hazel is a great addition to a peri bottle for assisting the healing process and offering additional relief, especially if you suffer from hemorrhoids.
Can you use a peri bottle after a c-section?
These clever little bottles aren’t limited to vaginal birth recovery either. Moms recovering from a Cesarean Section can use an upside-down peri bottle too. Some moms will also have a combination of vaginal birth swelling and cesarean recovery if they had been laboring before their surgery.
Despite whether everything is intact following birth, lochia (postpartum blood loss) still occurs. The ability to gently wash your bits without putting pressure onto your C-Section wound is a blessing.
The upside-down peri bottle can also be used to cleanse the incision wound to help avoid infection. However, clearance from a care provider is essential before doing so.
Quick-shop upside-down Peri bottles
- BPA-Free: Mother Mother
- Neutral Color: FridaMom
- Under $10: Popped
A perfect postpartum gift
I’m sure you can think of some beautiful gifts for a new mom, but here’s why including an upside-down peri bottle in your postpartum gift bag for a mom-to-be is the perfect addition.
Peri bottles can often fall into the category of ‘but do I really need that’ and I get it; there are so many things to add to your postpartum recovery tool kit. But trust me on this, all moms need one.
Following the vaginal birth of my twins earlier this year, my postpartum doula put an upside-down peri bottle next to my toilet. Despite everything being intact and not experiencing any stinging sensations whilst going to the bathroom, it only took one go of the peri bottle to realize that it was a postpartum essential.
At first, the peri bottle was perfect for freshening up after frequent visits to the bathroom. There is so much fluid from birth flushed out during the early days (hello, night sweats), and constant wiping can become irritating and exacerbate swelling.
A week following the birth, I ended up with dreaded postpartum hemorrhoids. The combination of herbal blends and witch hazel drastically improved my discomfort, helped clean the area after going to the bathroom, and assisted in reducing the swelling.
Unfortunately, postpartum recovery can be somewhat uncomfortable at times, and to have something simple that could offer relief every time I went to the bathroom was something I didn’t realize would make such a big difference.
Whether you’ve had a vaginal birth or a Cesarean Section, this simple yet effective tool offers comfort, hygiene, and peace of mind during the challenging postpartum period. So, as you prepare for your postpartum and pack your hospital bag, don’t forget to include the upside-down peri bottle. Your body (and bits!) will thank you for it.
Other resources you might find helpful
- Step-By-Step: The Best Postpartum Sitz Bath Recipe You Can Make at Home
- Postpartum Hemorrhoids: How to Treat Them for Good
- Witch Hazel Pads for Postpartum: The Complete Guide
References
Berkowitz LR, et al. Postpartum perineal care and management of complications. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/postpartum-perineal-care-and-management-of-complications
Ridzuan M H, et al. Traditional and Complementary Medicine Use During Postpartum Period: A Cross-Sectional Analysis at a Rural, Public Maternal and Child Health Clinic in West Malaysia. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8254049/
Vakilian K, et al. Healing advantages of lavender essential oil during episiotomy recovery. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21168115/
Cunningham FG, et al., eds. The puerperium. In: Williams Obstetrics. 25th ed. McGraw-Hill Education; 2018. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com
“Witch Hazel: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews.” WebMD, WebMD, www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-227/witch-hazel
