Sex toys are obviously great for all manner of reasons, from upping your masturbation game to promoting body confidence. And, it turns out that they can also be beneficial to people who've just given birth, too.

Tantric expert and owner of Romantic Adventures sex boutique, Tami Rose, says, "Love, fear, joy and fatigue are just some of the things new parents are feeling in the weeks and months after giving birth. After all, you have just squeezed something the size of a watermelon out of your vagina, so it’s not hard to understand the complete rollercoaster of emotions that comes with the aftermath of pregnancy. From pelvic floor muscles to getting back in the swing of things with your body again, sex toys can be the solution to a number of worries."

Here, she explains how using sex toys can benefit people who've recently given birth.


1. They can help you get to know your body again

"In just a nine month period, your body has gone through a lot: weight gain, changing proportions and new scars. It's important to remember you just created a life, and really should be giving yourself a pat on the back instead of a hard time," Tami says.

If you’re struggling with positive self-image and reconnecting with your body, Tami says easing yourself back in to feeling like a sexual being again with lubricants and bullet vibrators is a good place to start.

Tami recommends using "good body wand" like the Bodywand Midnight Plug In Massager. "It can be used on a gentle setting with some vitamin E cream on stretch marks and bruising," she says. "This should help bring about circulation and healing to the area."

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2. They can prepare your mind (and body) for sex with a partner again

"After having a child, things may feel different between you and your partner, plus, you’re full of hormones telling you to be happy one minute and sad the next. However, once your body is on the mend, you can focus on physically bonding with your partner again," Tami says.

This doesn’t have to include penetrative sex; after all, some couples will wait anything from a few months before attempting penetrative sex again. Instead, manual and oral sex and picking out toys together can help you and your partner bond sexually. "Try discussing what you’re going to do with them," Tami suggests. "Experimenting with how you respond to the different stimuli on different parts of your body will help you reconnect with your partner - mentally and physically."

Tami recommends the Feranti Couples Pleasure Set for couples who have a penis and a vagina, as it comes with a small, bullet vibrator, rabbit vibrator and vibrating cock ring. If you're a new mum and wanting to experiment with toys with a partner who has a vagina, try one of these awesome toys.

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3. They can help reduce initial pain after childbirth

"You wouldn’t jump right back onto a horse after an injury to your leg - and it’s exactly the same thing with sex after pregnancy," Tami says. "Most women will experience a degree of tearing during childbirth. With this being seemingly inevitable, it’s important for mothers to focus on healing their vagina - and sex toys can aid this process."

While it’s not uncommon to experience pain during the first few attempts at sexual intercouse, Tami recommends beginning with a simple, bullet vibrator like the Rose Bliss Vibe. Using it directly on your clitoris should help you get back into it.

Next, she suggests progressing to a slim vibrator to ease any initial pain. "Using a vibrator can help to improve the tone and elasticity of the vaginal walls, improving sexual sensation for both yourself and your partner," she adds.

4. They can help strengthen the vaginal walls and pelvic floor muscles

Tami explains that following child birth, the vaginal and pelvic floor muscles can weaken, making experiencing an orgasm a little tricky or uncomfortable. Without any kind of pelvic floor training, this is likely to continue to be an issue. "Sex toys can be used to keep the vaginal tissue flexible, preventing it from becoming too tight and promoting blood flow to the area to aid healing," she says.

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You may already know what Ben Wa Balls are (if you’re a fan of the Fifty Shades of Grey series). But just in case, Christian Grey inserts them into Anastasia’s vagina, and she wears them as an accessory to a fancy party. "While I doubt prancing around at swanky parties with weighted balls inside you is top of your list of priorities having just become a parent, Ben Wa Balls are perfect for strengthening pelvic floor muscles; sex games aside," she says.

The small, marbled-shaped balls are weighted to be held in place by your pelvic muscles. Tami explains, "If your muscles are weak, the balls may fall out, but as you start to retrain your muscles, you will be able to hold them in longer." This will result in stronger muscles.