The Best Padsicles for Soothing Postpartum Soreness

Gentlepak delivered one of the longest-lasting cooling effects we tested, staying soothing for about 20 minutes after only one hour in the freezer (keep in mind that 20 minutes is the maximum cooling time for most padsicles, since any longer can cause skin irritation). By comparison, many other padsicles (aside from the instant ones) require two to four hours—sometimes up to 24 hours—in the freezer. And it can also be microwaved for about 30 seconds to provide gentle heat therapy, which can also be helpful for swelling and soreness.

The wider, longer shape of the Gentlepak pads provides more coverage than many other reusable padsicles, which can be especially helpful if you’re dealing with both perineal soreness and hemorrhoids. 

And a major bonus for eco-conscious folks: it’s reusable! Reviewers love the soft terry cloth fabric cover, which is washable (gentle cycle), and the cover and freezable insert can both be used again and again. The cover is also hydrophobic, so any liquid (including blood) slides right off. That means it doesn’t stain easily, plus it’s black, so you wouldn’t notice stains anyway.

But hydrophobic fabric also means that it doesn’t really absorb, so you’ll want to wear a regular maxi pad underneath to prevent leaks. There’s also no adhesive, so positioning relies on snug-fitting underwear.

The main draws of this padsicle are in the name: Instant ice. It gets to a soothing-cold temperature in less than 10 seconds, unlike other options that need time in the freezer. Just fold it in half until you hear a “pop,” shake it up a bit and it’s ready to go. And the size of the pad is significantly longer than many others on the market, so it’s great if you are trying to soothe hemorrhoids at the same time. 

The top of the pad is super soft, so it won’t irritate your most sensitive parts when they’re already in pain, and the interior ice pack stays just the right soothing temperature for about 15–20 minutes of wear (many instant ice packs can get below freezing, which can be really uncomfortable, to say the least).

But keep in mind that the internal ice pack is smaller than the absorbent pad itself, so it might shift around a bit if you’re moving. And the ice pack is fairly dense, not to mention really squishy—it feels more like a waterbed in your underwear than a maxi pad.

These full-length liners are a great option if you want very mild cooling or need something that feels extra light and discreet (not like the waterbed you get with full-size ice packs). Designed to sit on top of your postpartum pad, they actually increase your pad’s overall absorbency while providing a gentle soothing, anti-inflammatory effect, thanks to the witch hazel infusion. The resealable case is easy to throw in your purse or diaper bag, and you can wear each liner for two to four hours, until it’s time to change your pad.

The downside? The cooling sensation fades after only five to 10 minutes, since there’s no internal ice or frozen portion like the other padsicles on this list. And the witch hazel can have a fairly strong scent, which might be off-putting to some people.

Postpartum underwear is often recommended to help with abdominal support, especially if you’ve had a C-section. This reusable, light-compression underwear made our padsicle guide due to its versatility with the two included padsicle inserts, both of which can be used for both cold and warm relief. 

After only 30 minutes in the freezer, the pad feels soothing without being uncomfortably cold, and you just slip it into either the front or back pocket of the underwear for about 15–20 minutes. The built-in underwear pockets make it easy to place the insert exactly where you need it—whether that’s vaginal or perineal soreness, hemorrhoids or even discomfort with a C-section incision. 

Keep in mind that neither the inserts nor the underwear offer any absorbency, so you’ll need to wear a maxi pad for any postpartum bleeding. And the padsicle inserts are on the wide side, which can be great for abdominal pain relief, but can feel really bulky and uncomfortable between your thighs (especially if your thighs touch).