Peri Bottles for Soothing Postpartum Care

Giving birth is nothing short of a miracle. It also really does some things to your undercarriage. Since wiping is a horror show and not recommended by doctors, it's a miracle that peri bottles exist. These little spray bottles are like gentle rain showers to your raw and ragged tissues, gently cleansing you and soothing soreness without the pain toilet paper would bring.

The Best Peri Bottles

The Facts About Peri Bottles

Peri bottles are small water bottles with a bent arm spraying element that gently washes the perineal area. The experts at Frida Mom, maker of the Frida Mom Upside Down Peri Bottle, say that toilet paper is a big postpartum no-no because,“Oftentimes, after birth, a woman’s vagina (and sometimes even your rectum) is swollen, bruised, has torn and may even have stitches.” Since you shouldn’t be tugging on the healing area, the experts at Frida Mom say that the peri bottle, aka a handheld bidet, is the best way to go. They also note that warm — not hot — water should fill the bottle, and if you're looking for a little extra comfort, you can add a tiny bit of witch hazel.

The best peri bottles are easy to fill, easy to hold, have a gentle spray, and come apart easily for cleaning. They should be made of durable materials that won't warp in hot water to allow for sterilization. And honestly, they should be pretty inexpensive, too.

Here are our picks for the very best peri bottles to help you recover in comfort.