Hemorrhoids, uterine contractions, and bleeding are just the beginning of what you might experience during postpartum. Although your sweet baby is getting most of the love these days, it’s important to give yourself a bit of attention so your body can recover. These natural remedies for postpartum healing will help you to start feeling better so you can enjoy your newborn!
With my first daughter, I had no idea about natural remedies for postpartum. Let’s be honest, I was juggling how to be a new mom and really didn’t pay much attention to helping myself feel better.
This time around with my second daughter, I fully prepared my home with natural remedies for postpartum healing so I could recover faster. I am truly amazed at how much better my body is feeling compared to my first postpartum experience.
The BEST Natural Remedies for Postpartum Healing
Before I share my favorite natural remedies for postpartum healing, I want you to know that I am not a doctor. I’m just a momma sharing what’s worked for me. You should consult with your ob-gyn or midwife before trying any of these natural approaches.
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Hemorrhoids
Most women get hemorrhoids after giving birth, especially if they were pushing for a while. Many new moms swear by using witch hazel for hemorrhoids, but there are several different natural remedies you can try for these.
The BEST Natural Remedies for Hemorrhoids:
- Witch Hazel on a cotton ball.
- Epsom Salt
- Drink Chamomile Tea
- Ice Pack
- Essential Oils (Lavender or Dill)
Constipation
One of the first things your care provider will prescribe after birth is stool softeners. While these are helpful, especially if you have hemorrhoids, there are a couple of natural remedies for constipation during postpartum.
- 1 Tbsp of flax seeds + 3 tbsp of water (Soak for 3 minutes before eating)
- High Fiber Foods: Oatmeal
- Aloe Vera Juice
- Have Coconut Water to keep you hydrated
- Take a Light Walk
- Breastfeeding is known to help stimulate the uterus, which can help you poop too!
- Chiropractor
After Birth Contractions
If this is your first baby, you will want to be prepared for after-birth contractions. This surprises so many moms! Many women describe it as bad period cramps or contractions similar to early labor.
Here are some of the best Natural Remedies for Postpartum After Birth Contractions:
- Keep your bladder empty
- Try a Heating Pad or Rice Pack
- Arnica tabs
- Red Raspberry Leaf Tea or Nettle Tea (2-3x a day)
- Wishgarden’s AfterEase After Birth Pains
Breast Engorgement
I had engorgement really bad with my first daughter. She was a NICU baby, so my body was super confused. I was producing milk but nothing was coming out! After help from a lactation specialist, here are some of the natural remedies I tried:
- Hand Express
- Take a warm shower and massage your breasts. Then hand express.
- Before nursing, fill diapers with hot water and use them as a compress to get things moving.
- Ice Packs after you nurse.
- Cabbage Leaves
- Take Sunflower Lecithin
Note: Only pump if it’s absolutely necessary! This will stimulate your breasts signaling for them to produce more!
Sore + Cracked Nipples
Another uncomfortable part of breastfeeding is sore and cracked nipples. You will want to start these natural remedies as soon as you notice them feeling uncomfortable. \
Here are the best natural remedies for sore and cracked nipples:
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Breastmilk
- DIY Sore Nipple Cream
- Let Them Air Dry
Headaches
Thanks to huge shifts in your hormones, this can commonly cause headaches. Not to mention, you probably aren’t getting much sleep, so this doesn’t help either. Of course, there are OTC medications you can take, but here are a few natural approaches to try first:
- Ice pack on your head
- Put a rice pack in the freezer, then place it on your head for 20-30 minutes.
- Postpartum Yoga Poses
- Go to the Chiropractor
- Try Acupuncture
- Use Peppermint Essential Oil (be sure to mix with a carrier oil)
Sore Perineal
Pushing out a baby is not an easy task. Even if you didn’t tear, your perineal is going to be sore!
Try these natural remedies to help heal your sore perineal:
- DIY Perineal Spray
- Cold Packs
- Use Organic Pads
Bleeding
After giving birth, you may be surprised by how much blood and how long you bleed. Many moms continue having a light flow for several weeks. If you want to lessen the bleeding here are some natural remedies to try:
- Relax for the first 2 weeks postpartum
- Breastfeeding every 1.5-3 hours which will help produce oxytocin. This helps to decrease blood loss, as well.
- Fresh Nettle Juice
Swelling + Puffiness
About 24 hours after I gave birth, I was super puffy…. All over. Ends up, I just needed more water. With my second pregnancy, I enjoy some coconut water too!
- Stay hydrated (try coconut water!)
- Keep your feet up
- Have your partner massage your legs, working from your feet up!
- Dandelion Tea
- Arnica
- Acupuncture
Hormone Shifts
One of the things I was NOT prepared for after birth was my hormonal shifts. I knew that I would feel the rush of oxytocin, but I had no idea that immediately following delivery I would have the shakes.
This is just one of the first shifts I noticed, but for the next several months my body struggled to level out. For my second baby, I had started focusing on having a pro-metabolic lifestyle. If you haven’t heard of this, head over to Kori Meloy’s website Freely Rooted to learn more. I have learned so much about balancing hormones, thyroid, adrenal, and more!
Anyhow, let’s talk about some natural remedies for stress relief, anxiety, and depression during postpartum.
- See a chiropractor. I am SHOCKED how much this helped me. I highly recommend going regularly to keep your body aligned, so you can reduce stress and anxiety!
- Try Essential Oils. I love lavender and rubbed this on my neck and diffused it. It definitely was a huge mood booster.
- Chamomile Tea is great for stress relief and anxiety. It will help to calm you down and relax.
- Skullcap (Scutellaria)is a great herb that helps to decrease stress and anxiety. This is great for those who are struggling with sleep and insomnia postpartum.
- Try eating foods with Omega-3s.
- Consume more Turmeric to get rid of depression.
- Sit outside and get some natural Vitamin D.
- Take magnesium.
Night Sweats
This was another thing during postpartum I didn’t expect. Just when I thought I only needed to change your sheets once a week… think again during postpartum.
Here are some easy natural remedies for night sweats:
- Keep a fan going (This is actually great to keep air flowing for baby!)
- Drink lots of water throughout the day.
- Sleep in cotton or linen to help your body’s heat to escape
- Avoid caffeine or hot foods, which can cause your body temperature to spike.
- Vitamin E Oil
- Eat Beats
- Try Acupuncture.
Hair Loss
Most moms don’t start experiencing hair loss until 2-4 months postpartum. It typically peaks around 4-5 months. I used to be a hairdresser, so I know how frustrating this season can be for new moms.
Here are some natural remedies for postpartum hair loss:
- Foods to Consume: Eggs, Fermented Dairy Products (like yogurt), and red meats.
- Avoid washing your hair too often, keeping your hair in a ponytail or bun, using heat on your hair, or brushing your hair when wet.
- Collagen (I love adrenal cocktails + hot chocolate)
- Massage Your Scalp
My Thoughts..
There are so many changes that you will go through after postpartum. It’s really important to be prepared and try natural remedies for postpartum healing, before turning to chemicals and O-T-C products. I hope these natural tips and tricks help you to start feeling more like yourself!
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