Breastfeeding & Kraamzorg in the Netherlands

Moving to the Netherlands brings unfamiliar words and routines, especially when you are expecting a baby. You may hear about a verloskundige, kraamzorg and a consultatiebureau before you know who does what.

This English guide explains how to arrange maternity care, ask for breastfeeding support and prepare for the first days at home. It is general information, not individual medical or insurance advice. Your own care team’s instructions take priority.

What is kraamzorg?

Kraamzorg is maternity care during and after childbirth. A kraamverzorgende supports the mother and baby, checks their wellbeing, explains everyday baby care and helps with feeding. During childbirth, this professional may also assist the midwife. Zorginstituut Nederland explains what kraamzorg includes (Dutch).

For international families, the intake is a useful time to explain language needs and ask how care will work in your home. Ask for written confirmation of arrangements and a contact number for questions.

How is kraamzorg different from a midwife?

A verloskundige is a midwife. For a low-risk pregnancy in the Netherlands, a community midwife usually monitors the pregnancy and coordinates care around birth. If medical risks or complications arise, care may involve an obstetrician and a hospital team.

Kraamzorg has a different role, providing practical maternity care and support around and after birth. Confirm your registration separately rather than assuming that booking a midwife also books kraamzorg. Keep both providers’ details together.

For an English overview of care and birth settings, read Pregnancy and birth from The Hague International Centre.

When should you arrange kraamzorg?

Contact a provider during pregnancy. According to Zorginstituut Nederland, many organisations accept registrations from around week 12. Check availability and your insurer’s provider arrangements. At the intake, discuss the expected care, your questions and what happens if the plan changes.

The care you receive depends on an assessment and circumstances; staffing shortages can also affect delivery. Avoid assuming that every family receives the same daily schedule. Ask your provider what to expect and whom to contact if you need support outside a scheduled visit.

Is kraamzorg covered by health insurance?

Kraamzorg is included in the Dutch basic health insurance package, but a personal contribution usually applies to care at home. Check your policy, the provider’s contract and any supplementary cover with your insurer. If you have international insurance or recently moved, obtain confirmation for your own circumstances.

Ask separately about private lactation consultations: do not assume that all breastfeeding support has the same reimbursement rules. For current information, see Zorginstituut Nederland’s kraamzorg information (Dutch).

What breastfeeding help can you ask for?

Use your care visits to ask someone to observe a feed and explain what they are checking. Describe what you notice rather than trying to diagnose the problem yourself.

• Could you watch a feed and explain what you see?

• Could you show my partner how to help me get comfortable?

• Who should we contact if the problem returns this evening?

• Could you write the plan down in English?

• What support is available when the kraamzorg visits finish?

Voedingscentrum explains why positioning and attachment matter and recommends seeking help if feeding is not improving or you start dreading it. Read its guidance on positioning and feeding (Dutch). Individual observation is more useful than trying to follow a complete technique from a blog.

Who can help if breastfeeding hurts?

Discuss pain with your midwife, maternity care professional, child health clinic, GP or a lactation consultant. Pain has different possible causes; a shop product cannot establish the cause.

Thuisarts advises contacting your GP if you feel ill or have a fever while experiencing breastfeeding problems. Use your out-of-hours GP service when your practice is closed. Read Thuisarts guidance on breastfeeding problems and when to call (Dutch), and follow your care team’s instructions.

When contacting a professional, explain when the problem began, what you notice and what advice you have already received. Keep any written care plan available.

What should you prepare at home?

Start with contacts and questions. Keep your midwife and kraamzorg details, insurance confirmation and care instructions together. Tell your partner or other support person where to find them.

Keep everyday items within reach. Comfortable clothing, clean cloths and a separate place for used items can make feeding moments easier. Read washing instructions for reusable products.

Choose accessories for a specific need. Absorbent breast pads and hydrogel nipple pads serve different purposes. Our comparison of hydrogel pads and breast pads (Dutch) explains how to compare them. Our hospital-bag breastfeeding checklist (Dutch) offers packing ideas alongside your birth location’s own list.

Accessories are optional purchases. Ask your care team about feeding problems and follow the instructions supplied with each product. Rana Care can answer questions about its products and packaging.

Useful Dutch words for international parents

• Verloskundige: midwife

• Kraamzorg: maternity care during and after childbirth

• Kraamverzorgende: maternity care professional

• Borstvoeding: breastfeeding

• Lactatiekundige: lactation consultant

• Consultatiebureau: child health clinic

• Huisarts: GP or family doctor

• Huisartsenpost: out-of-hours GP service

Save these names beside your own providers’ contact details. A translated term helps you recognise a service, but your care team should explain whom to call in your situation.

Frequently asked questions

Does registering with a midwife automatically arrange kraamzorg?

Do not assume so. Confirm your maternity care registration separately and keep the confirmation.

Can I request English-speaking support?

Ask before registering and repeat your language needs at intake. Confirm what the provider can offer, including written information; do not assume every visit will be in English.

Is kraamzorg only for parents who breastfeed?

No. Kraamzorg supports the mother, baby and family and includes feeding and baby-care support. Discuss your own plans and questions with the provider.

Do I have to give birth at home?

No. Discuss birth location with your midwife. Options depend on your pregnancy, medical circumstances and local arrangements.

Is a lactation consultant the same as a kraamverzorgende?

They are different roles. Ask your care team which professional fits your question and confirm any fees before booking private support.

Do I need a feeding pillow, breast pump or nipple-care products before birth?

There is no universal shopping list. Discuss specific needs with your care team and check what your birth location provides before buying additional equipment.

Where can I find help after kraamzorg ends?

Ask for a handover and contact plan before visits finish. Your GP, child health clinic and a lactation consultant can be sources of breastfeeding support.

Sources and further reading

• Zorginstituut Nederland — Kraamzorg (Dutch)

• The Hague International Centre — Pregnancy and birth (English)

• Voedingscentrum — Positioning and feeding (Dutch)

• Thuisarts — Breastfeeding problems (Dutch)

By Rana Care · Sources checked 11 November 2026. General information, not individual medical or insurance advice. This article has not been clinically reviewed.

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