In the early days of motherhood, rest and recovery often take a backseat to caring for your newborn. That’s why finding small moments of self-care is so important. A postpartum Epsom salt bath can be a simple yet powerful way to relax, support healing, soothe soreness, and ease discomfort from perineal tears or hemorrhoids – all while giving you a few much-needed minutes for yourself.
What is a Postpartum Epsom Salt Bath?
A postpartum Epsom salt bath is a warm soak that uses Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) to promote recovery after childbirth. Adding salts to your bath can help reduce swelling, ease muscle tension, and encourage relaxation. Some moms also combine Epsom salts with healing herbs – like lavender for relaxation, comfrey for skin repair, or yarrow for reducing bleeding and cramping – to create an herbal sitz bath effect. Whether you use salts alone or mix them with herbs, this type of soak can provide gentle, natural relief during your postpartum healing journey.
Always check with your doctor or midwife before starting postpartum soaks to make sure they’re safe for your recovery and your baby.
RELATED: Postpartum Essentials Every Mom Needs
How to Prepare a DIY Sitz Bath
This DIY recipe is one of our favorites because it's something that can be done while your little one is sleeping. Follow these simple instructions and treat yourself to a few quiet moments of calm along with healing for pregnancy hemorrhoids or perineum pain. These ingredients could even make a great gift for any mothers you have on your shopping list this holiday season, or for upcoming baby showers of friends and family members who might enjoy a sitz bath postpartum.
RELATED: A Doula's Guide To Postpartum Care
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup Comfrey Leaf
- 1/2 cup Lavender Flowers
- 1/4 cup Plantain Leaf
- 1/2 cup Red Raspberry Leaf
- 1/4 cup Yarrow Flower
- 1/4 cup Calendula Flowers
- 1/4 cup Shepherd's Purse
- 1/4 cup Uva Ursi Leaf
- 1/4 cup Sea Salt or Epsom Salt
Instructions:
- Combine the ingredients: Mix your chosen bath herbs in a large bowl. Remember, the proportions don't need to be exact. And if you don't have all the herbs, you can even just stick to comfrey leaf to keep it simple! You can store your herbs in a mason jar or other container for up to a year in a cool, dark place.
- Once you've combined your bath herbs, portion out 1 cup and place in a bowl. Meanwhile, heat water with a tea kettle.
- Remove water from heat and pour over your bowl of herbs. Let the herbs steep, as you would a cup of tea. Strain and add to a bath.
- Soak for 20 minutes-you can even bathe with baby if you'd like for some extra bonding time! (Bonus: The herbal bath will help baby in healing the umbilical cord.)
- Enjoy and relax!
Where to Get Sitz Bath Supplies
You can find all of the herbs listed above at Mountain Rose Herbs. Buy them individually, or simply order pre-made blends on Amazon or Etsy. Sitz bath basins can be found at many local pharmacies. If you prefer to order a sitz bath basin online, Amazon and Walmart have good options available.
