How to Use a Peri Bottle to Ease Your Postpartum Recovery

Baby has finally arrived—welcome to the fourth trimester! As you probably already know, there’s a lot going on during this tumultuous postpartum period. While much of it is super-sweet (think: newborn cuddles), other parts can be uncomfortable and messy—and this is totally natural. As you stock up on post-birth essentials (and plenty of comfy underwear), you’re going to want to add a peri bottle to your list. Designed with new moms in mind, a peri bottle can help with recovery, as your perineum (aka the area between your vagina and anus) heals from giving birth. Whether you deliver baby vaginally or via c-section, it’s normal to experience bleeding and swelling, which is where a peri bottle comes in handy. Read on to learn more about how to use a peri bottle and its soothing benefits, plus browse our favorite picks to buy right now.

What Is a Peri Bottle?

First things first, what is a peri bottle? Don’t let its simple appearance fool you—a peri bottle is a small but mighty tool that can help make the postpartum recovery process much more comfortable. A hospital peri bottle is a simple fillable and squeezable tube, whereas an upside-down peri bottle has an angled spout. Either way, it’s designed to keep your perineum clean after giving birth by gently streaming water at the perineal region during urination and/or after using the bathroom. It helps soothe soreness, aid the healing process and prevent infection from occurring in this super-sensitive area.

“I think peri-bottles are almost a standard of care now. Any new mom can use a peri-bottle,” says Heather Bartos, MD, an ob-gyn and the medical director of Be. Women’s Health and Wellness in Frisco, Texas. If you didn’t experience tearing during childbirth, a peri bottle can still offer benefits, adds Gil Weiss, MD, an ob-gyn based in Chicago. Even if you have a c-section, you may want one too to help with potential perineal swelling and vaginal bleeding.

Benefits of Using a Peri Bottle for Postpartum Recovery

How exactly does a peri bottle ease postpartum recovery? Post-birth, you’ll experience bleeding and swelling as a result of the delivery process. For these reasons, Rachel Nicks a New York City-based doula, suggests that new moms avoid wiping with toilet paper after using the bathroom during the initial postpartum period. Instead, she recommends filling a peri bottle with warm water (not too hot, not too cold) to help keep clean in the first few weeks after birth, or until you feel comfortable to wipe again.

Weiss explains that “most deliveries result in mild to moderate perineal tearing,” and that, on occasion, more severe tearing happens. In these instances, a peri bottle can help reduce the irritation and stinging sensation people often experience post-delivery when going to the bathroom. “After delivering a baby, you can’t see down there, and a variety of skid marks, tears and abrasions can make peeing a real burn (literally),” adds Bartos. Additionally, a peri bottle can provide relief from postpartum hemorrhoids.

How To Use a Peri Bottle

At this point, you may be wondering: How do I use a peri bottle? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Many peri bottles have an upside-down design with an angled nozzle to make targeted relief a breeze while sitting on the toilet. Bartos explains that you’ll probably have to spread your legs a little to get the right angle. Once you’ve found the perfect spot, let your urine stream start and squirt the peri bottle with one hand—or, squeeze it when you’re finished going to clean the targeted area. “It may take a hot second to get the coordination right, but when it’s good, it’s awesome,” she says. Once you’re done, Weiss recommends patting the skin dry, rather than wiping the way you’re probably used to.

Alternatively, new moms can use portable, electric bidets in lieu of upside-down peri bottles. Just keep in mind that the force of the water coming out of a bidet may be uncomfortable in the initial days after delivery, warns Weiss. It’s also worth noting that portable bidets are more expensive than peri bottles, so it might not be worth the extra expense, if you don’t plan on using the device beyond the postpartum period.

What To Look For In a Peri Bottle

If you give birth in a hospital, you’ll most likely receive a peri bottle—but they’re often no match for other top-notch options on the market. When shopping for a peri bottle, Bartos advises moms-to-be and new moms to look for these features:

• Washable: Due to the nature of a peri bottle, make sure it’s simple to clean—that way it can do its job of keeping you clean. Since most aren’t dishwasher-safe, check that your pick is easy to hand wash with hot, soapy water.
• Easily removable top: To streamline the process, Bartos suggests choosing a peri bottle with a top that’s simple to remove. This way, you can refill the reservoir and get targeted relief in a pinch.
• Compact size: Bartos recommends that your peri bottle shouldn’t be too big, as you’ll be using one hand to squeeze it while on the toilet. Plus, a smaller design means it will be more portable and discreet if you’re taking it on the go.
• An upside-down design: A hospital peri bottle gets the job done, but isn’t the most efficient. An upside-down peri bottle, on the other hand, offers more targeted precision.

Best Peri Bottles for Postpartum Recovery

Now that you know exactly what a peri bottle is and how to use it, you’re ready to find the best one for your needs. Whether you’re in the market for a standard upside-down peri bottle or an electric, portable bidet, check out our favorites below.

About the experts:

Gil Weiss, MD, is an ob-gyn who serves women throughout The Loop in Chicago and Northbrook, Illinois. He’s a graduate of the University of Toronto in Canada, and attended medical school at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel. He completed his residency at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Heather Bartos, MD, is an ob-gyn and the medical director of Be. Women’s Health and Wellness in Frisco, Texas. She is also the founder of The ME Spot, an online hub that aims to provide people with information on all things sex, self-care and health.

Rachel Nicks is a New York City-based doula and fitness instructor. She is also the founder of the non-profit organization Birth Queen, which focuses on tackling the Black maternal health crisis by supporting Black mothers and Black birth workers.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

Plus, more from The Bump:

The Best Postpartum Underwear for Comfort and Support

13 Postpartum Essentials You’ll Need for Recovery

The 33 Best Maternity and Nursing Bras for Every Need