What is a rice sock? Very simply a sock filled with rice. Take an old sock, perferbly a long one, and fill it with regular rice (not instant). Tie the sock closed. Now you have a great heating pad. Place the rice sock in the microwave for about 5 minutes (if you are reheating the sock, put it in for less time) caution it will be hot!
Now that you have a hot sock, what good is it? Well, for pregnant and new moms it has so many uses. For starters, use it on sore muscles during pregnancy. During labor, especially back labor, it is a wonderful natural pain reliever and a great way for your partner to be involved- let him be in charge of the rice sock. After you give birth, it is great to have in the hospital to help with your aches and pains. It can also be used on your breasts to help ease the soreness of a newborn nursing.
Last night I found a new use for the rice sock. My newborn has touble going to sleep in his bassinet when I go to bed. So, I heated the rice sock and placed it in his bassinet and covered it with his blanket for a few minutes. I removed the sock and after checking the tempature, placed him int he bassinet. It really helped him fall asleep.
Your rice sock can also be used for a heating pad for the whole family. You never need to worry about falling asleep with it as it is not plugged in. It can be a great help with menstraul cramps.
The sock is reusable for a long time. However, if you put the sock in for too long, the rice will burn. Also, after a while of use, you might want to throw out the rice and replace or simply replace the whole rice sock.
It helped me thru many a painful night.