Making PP compresses

[aiyasmama]

I would like some advice on freezing compresses for postpartum. I have witch hazel and comfrey tincture and I got 4x4 gauze pads to soak and freeze. I'm planning to layer the frozen gauze on top of big mama pads. Is there any way to store the gauze so I can get at it easily without using a ton of plastic? I would like to avoid throwing away a ton of ziplocks, if possible. Also, any idea how many I should make? TIA!

[averlee]

I wanted warm, not cold, on my sutures & hemroids after my daughter was born, so the ice packs I made were left totally unused.
If you have space in your freezer, why not just sorta lay them all around in there, unwrapped, uncovered? Or maybe put one each in a little tupperware? Once they are all frozen solid you could toss them into an ice bucket or something.

[FrolicingMama]

I have been wondering the same thing. I have the huge maxi pads and I soak them with witch hazel from a spray bottle and freeze them. Last time we wrapped each one in plastic wrap, which I guess is a little less wasteful than a ziploc, but still feels pretty wasteful to me. I can't think of another alternative though that would not compromise keeping them sanitary or keeping them from sticking together. If anyone has ideas, I would love to hear them. As for how many, I plan to do a lot and then have supplies for my husband and mom to make more if i need them. Last time I think we did about 6 or 8 and I went through them fast and wanted more. I had been pretty skeptical that I would want to put something that cold in such a sensitive place, so I made them just because my midwife said to do it. I was so wrong! I had a few tears and those pads were the best thing ever. If you don't wet them enough they defrost really fast, so I would recommend really soaking the pads before you freeze them. I think I'm going to make about 20.

[babylightsagain]

I put mine in the fridge not the freezer. They were super comfy that way - not too cold. And easy to store. I had a wide mouth pint jar, circular cosmetic pads and then pored the witch hazel over. I used them for a LONG time!@!!!

If you are going to freeze, why not lay them out on a cookie sheet covered with waxed paper. Once they are frozen you can put them in a ziplock and then make more.

[MamaRue]

for my clients, i pour the solution directly on the pads (the naturacare ones are great...but they are pricey). i do not soak the pads completely for two reasons...
first being so they do not stick together as much so you can store them in a gallon ziplock in the freezer.

second being so they still have some absorbancy for postpartum flow.

good luck!