Sitz baths will help you to keep nice and clean during a usually messy time. They can also be very soothing and helpful for postpartum healing, especially if you’re experiencing haemorrhoids, grazes or tears after having your baby. Here are a few Sitz Bath recipes you can try at home:
Sitz Bath Recipes
- Basic Soak:
- Fill your Sitz Bath with warm water.
- Add 1-2 cups of Epsom salt to the water and mix until dissolved.
- Sit in the bath for 15-20 minutes, allowing the warm water and Epsom salt to soothe any discomfort.
- Note: Epsom salt is not the same as sea or table salt!
- Herbal Soak:
- Fill your Sitz Bath with warm water.
- Add a handful of dried herbs such as chamomile, calendula, lavender, or comfrey to the water. You could also try different combinations such as: lavender and rose petals, calendula and yarrow, or any other magic solution you like the sound of, or more realistically, have access to.
- Let the herbs steep in the water for 10-15 minutes. You could also prepare/steep your herbs beforehand to speed up this process.
- Sit in the bath for 15-20 minutes (or as long as you can with a newborn to look after!), allowing the herbal infusion to provide relief and promote healing.
- You can place the herbs in a mesh bag or tights to make clean up easier and prevent any blocked sinks.
- Witch Hazel Soak:
- Fill your Sitz Bath with warm water
- Add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of pure witch hazel to the water.
- Sit in the bath for 15-20 minutes, allowing the witch hazel to soothe and reduce inflammation. This is a great, tried and tested way to soothe those annoying haemorrhoids that most of us will get at some point during pregnancy and postpartum.
- Essential Oil Soak:
- Fill your Sitz Bath with warm water.
- Add a few drops of essential oils such as lavender, tea tree, or frankincense to the water.
- Stir the water well to disperse the oils.
- Sit in the bath for 15-20 minutes, enjoying the aromatherapy benefits and soothing effects of the oils.
Remember, it’s important to consult with your healthcare professional before using any sitz bath recipes, especially if you have specific medical conditions or concerns. They can provide personalised advice based on your individual needs.
If you have stitches, it is important to only soak for a few minutes each time. This is because the warm water can dissolve the stitches too quickly, before your wound has fully healed. Even a two minute Sit will provide you with long lasting relief and you can do this several times each day.
Do you know of any ‘magic’ soothing recipes?
