DIY Sitz Bath For Postpartum Mamas

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DIY sitz bath
Wellness Mama » Blog » Motherhood » DIY Sitz Bath For Postpartum Mamas

I’ve always thought that after labor, women should be able to look forward to a nice quiet vacation and recovery time. Instead, we get a precious baby and the lack of sleep that often accompanies them. This DIY sitz bath recipe is at least a little healing and pampering to look forward to during postpartum recovery.

Postpartum Sitz Bath

Herbs are wonderful for after birth and help speed recovery time. I’ve used my healing salve on both a c-section scar and a small tear (after the second day) to speed healing and they worked great. This sitz bath recipe uses an herbal infusion in a relaxing bath to ease soreness and speed recovery. You can also use it in a peri bottle or a cooled pad for extra comfort.

I used quite a variety of herbs here, but you don’t need all of them. Here’s what a sitz bath is and why they’re so great for new moms!

What is a Sitz Bath?

Sitz comes from the German word sitzen, meaning to sit. It’s a little soak for your bottom that brings targeted relief to the genital area. They can help ease pain, increase blood flow to the area, and speed healing. Sitz baths are recommended for:

  • Hemorrhoids
  • Anal fissures
  • Episiotomy stitches
  • Sore or damaged vulva and perineal area
  • Sore rectum or anal area

It’s perfect for after childbirth! Even if you didn’t tear during labor, the warm water and soothing herbs help reduce discomfort and swelling.

How to Take a Sitz Bath (Two Ways)

Drug stores sell sitz bath kits that fit into your toilet bowl. These consist of a shallow basin and sometimes a bag that feeds warm water into the sitz bath basin. You can also find a simple plastic sitz bath bowl without any bags or attachments. These are nice because they concentrate the soothing water just where you need it.

If you don’t have a sitz bath bowl, then the bathtub also works. It should be cleaned before each use though. You don’t want germs or old soap scum on your still healing bottom!

Here’s how to do a sitz bath step-by-step:

  1. If using a sitz bath, place the clean container under the toilet seat. Fill about 1/2 full with warm water or herbal tea and Epsom salt. Be sure the water temperature isn’t too hot to avoid burning.
  2. If using a bathtub, make sure the tub has just been cleaned and fill it with several inches of warm water. You want the water to cover your thighs when you sit in it. You’ll add your herbal tea and/or Epsom salts to the shallow bath.
  3. Soak your bottom in the warm water for 10-20 minutes, 1-4 times a day.
  4. Pat the area dry with a clean towel or let it air dry. Do not scrub the area.

What to Use in a Sitz Bath

Now that you know what a sitz bath is and how they work, what should you put in yours? There are a variety of herbs that are gentle and help heal the tender area (more on that below). You can also add a little baking soda and Epsom salts to your sitz bath to speed the healing process.

If you have hemorrhoids, then try dabbing a little witch hazel onto the rectum after your bath. There are also a few things that should not go in a sitz bath!

While I love essential oils, they do not disperse in water alone and they’re too harsh for the tender perineum area. Scented bath salts, bubble baths, and similar products should also be avoided.

The Herbs I Used

Herbs can be a great option for a DIY sitz bath, and you’ll notice I’ve used quite a few. You don’t have to use all of these for it to still be effective, so just use what you have.

  • Comfrey Leaf – This herb is a demulcent to soothe dry, irritated tissues. It also reduces swelling and bruises and is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. It stimulates tissue repair and tones loose tissues.
  • Lavender Flowers – The scent helps ease tension and stress. Lavender is also antimicrobial, helps fight off infection, soothes itchiness and pain, speeds wound healing, and reduces swelling.
  • Plantain Leaf – Soothes inflammation and fights infection, mildly demulcent to soothe irritated tissues, soothes pain, burning, and itching, and stimulates collagen for faster wound healing.
  • Red Raspberry Leaf – Tightens loose tissues and reduces inflammation. Also very high in many nutrients.
  • Yarrow Flower – Eases inflammation, pain, and swelling. Staunches excessive bleeding, speeds wound healing, helps modulate blood flow, and is specifically used for hemorrhoids
  • Calendula Flowers – Soothes irritated tissues and is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. Soothes cuts, bruises, and abrasions. It’s astringent and a blood decongestant to help with hemorrhoids.
  • Shepherd’s Purse – Useful to reduce bruising and heavy bleeding. Used for wound healing and is anti-inflammatory.
  • Uva Ursi Leaf – An astringent that’s used for infections and inflammation in the lower urinary tract. Antibacterial and helps prevent UTIs.
DIY sitz bath
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Herbal Sitz Bath

This DIY sitz bath helps soothe tender, sore areas after childbirth. Also great for hemorrhoids and other uncomfortable areas!
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Yield: 3 cups
Author: Katie Wells

Equipment

Instructions

  • Mix herbs in a glass container or silicone bag. I used a large mason jar. The proportions don’t have to be exact.
  • Add 1 cup of herbs to 2 quarts of boiling water.
  • Remove water from heat and let sit for 20 minutes, covered.
  • Strain and add to a sitz bath and soak for 20 minutes. Both mom and baby can soak in the bathtub to speed cord and perineum healing.

Notes

You can use this blend in a small sitz bath or in the bathtub. Use 1/2 cup of herbs and 1 quart of water if using a small sitz bath container. 

More Ways to Use:

  • Brew with the above ratios and add to a Peri Bottle for use after going to the bathroom.
  • Pour some pre-brewed herbal mix onto pads and freeze for a pain-relieving ice pack.
  • Use a diluted mix around the baby’s cord stump for healing.

This also makes a wonderful addition to a new-mommy gift basket along with homemade natural baby care items and lotion bars for mom.

Have you ever used herbs post birth? Did they help you? Share below!

Katie Wells Avatar

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Co-founder of Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

Comments

68 responses to “DIY Sitz Bath For Postpartum Mamas”

  1. Sthi Shobowale Avatar
    Sthi Shobowale

    Hi Katie,

    Can these be put into a muslin bag that would then be put straight into the tub or do they need to steep first as per your instructions?

    Many thanks!

  2. Liz V Avatar

    I have a lot of this blend left over after postpartum, which I loved by the way! Could I use my leftovers to infuse into the coconut oil for diaper balm? Thanks!

  3. Angela Avatar

    It seems simpler to add the herb mix to a muslin or mesh bag and let steep directly in the bath rather than having to brew the tea separately first. Is there any reason not to do it this way?

  4. Meghan Avatar

    When you are adding the herbs to the hot water, does this also include the salt? Or do you add the salt to the bath?

  5. Meghan Avatar

    Do you add the Epsom salt to the herb mix or just to the bath water once you’re ready to soak?

  6. Megan Alvarenga Avatar
    Megan Alvarenga

    How much would you say it cost to make 1 mason jar full? TIA

  7. Nichole Avatar

    Hi!

    So I’m guessing these measurements are for just 1 bath? Or how many baths can I get out of the recipe? Thanks!

  8. Mary Avatar

    Thank you for this recipe! I haven’t used herbs in years and don’t remember. If I buy 4 oz of herb where it calls for 1/4 cup and 8 oz where it calls for 1/2 cup – when I mix them all together will have enough for 14 or more sitz baths?

  9. Saskia Avatar

    If you were going to get some of the herbs, but not all, for cost, what would say is the order of importance/which would you cut it first?

  10. Saskia Avatar

    Can I use powder form of these herbs to steep and strain into a peri bottle?

  11. Jen Avatar

    Ready on mt rose herbs that comfrey is contraindicated while breast feeding and that it should be used on broken or abraded skin….Do you know why that is?

  12. Melody D. Avatar
    Melody D.

    Though I would love to make this myself, the cost of all those herbs add up. Is there anything comparable on the market? Etsy seems to have some, but their ingredients seem to vary quite a bit.

  13. Ashleigh Avatar
    Ashleigh

    So If I am making the brew to strain and put the…water? Onto a pad to freeze what can I do with the herbs?
    I know you can refrigerate and apply directly to the area but how long do they last in the fridge?

  14. Verónica Avatar

    I used these herbs to help heal my nipple wounds after the first few days of breastfeeding. After brewing and letting cool (sometimes with the help of ice to make it faster) I dip a gauze in the “tea” and let it sit on the skin for 10 min, then apply nipple balm and repeat all over again after each feeding. This routine was extremely helpful, after 36 hours my wounds were healed (i used the pump to avoid my little one sucking for this period).

  15. Tavia Avatar

    This is years late but for anyone who has found this post like I did bulk herb store the best herbs on the internet and the owner has a youtube channel that helps you make stuff too. Been using her herbs for the last 3-4 years.

  16. Katee Lee Avatar

    I used these as a tea and applied with clean raw cotton baby diapers as a poultice after my cesarean birth as directed by my midwife. The nurses and doctors could not believe how quickly I healed! They asked what I was doing and why my room smelled so nice! I happily provided them all the information so they could help others! I made the teas, brewed them and put it in a crock pot on warm with my cloths. When ready I just took out 3 or 5 cloths, wrung them out and applied to my incision site. I did this 3 times a day for about 2 weeks. I never had any infection and you cannot tell I even had a surgery. Now I am pregnant with my third child and though am hoping for a vbac, will be using these teas either way!

  17. Veronica Avatar

    I am due in 10 weeks and am eager to get as much done asap! For how long do you brew (just boil?) the herb mix? How long does it last afterwards? Thanks!

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar

      I would not brew until right after the baby is born and you are ready to use. Since there isn’t a preservative, it won’t last long once brewed, but the dried herb mixture will last a long time.. Congrats on your pregnancy and upcoming birth!

  18. Alisa Avatar

    Hi. My sister had a baby almost a week ago. I love the idea of an herbal sitz bath for her. Is it too late? Also, what is a peri bottle? Thank you so much.

    1. Wellness Mama Avatar

      Not too late! And you can get a peri bottle at most drugstores, it is just a special kind of squirt bottle that allows you to spray on the perineum for relief.

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