Care for the baby after birth
Shortly after birth
The first hour, your baby lies next to you and can drink from your breastsBreastsThe 2 organs of a woman to feed a baby after delivery. Breasts…Read more. After an hour, your baby is checked and weighed.
- The midwifeMidwifeA trained person who helps a pregnant woman before, during and after delivery.…Read more checks the baby’s respiration, skin colour, muscle tension, heartbeat and reaction to stimuli. She also administers vitamin K to the baby.
- The baby is dressed or wrapped in a blanket.
- You or your partnerPartnerPerson you are in a relationship with.Read more can then hold the baby again. After a caesarean sectionCaesarean sectionA surgical operation performed when a pregnant woman cannot have a natural delivery.…Read more (surgical deliveryDeliveryThe process of giving birth to a baby.Read more) the baby stays with your partner.
- You have something to eat and drink. If the checks are all right, you can have a shower. If you have delivered in hospital and there are no medical reasons, you can go home a few hours after delivery.
-
If you have had a caesarean section, you remain in hospital for some days, where they will care for you and your baby. In many hospitals, your partner can also stay there at night.
Woman breast-feeding her baby.
1. The following weeks
If you are at home, the maternity assistant visits your home every day during the first week. She helps you care for the baby and checks the mother’s healthHealthFeeling physically, mentally and socially well in your environment. Health is more than…Read more. The midwife visits every other day to see how you are doing.
- For up to 5 days after birth, your baby may lose weight. This is normal.
- In the first week the baby’s hearing is tested and the baby is tested for rare metabolic diseases. The paediatric nurseNurseA trained person who cares for sick people as a job. Nurses cannot…Read more carries out the hearing test and takes some bloodBloodRed fluid that has important functions in the body, for example: carrying oxygen…Read more.
Care for the mother
- After 8-10 days the maternity assistant and midwife will no longer visit your home.
- During the first 6 weeks, the midwife is responsible for the mother. During these 6 weeks, the midwife supports you.
- About 6 weeks after delivery you see your midwife or gynaecologistGynaecologistDoctor specializing in health care during pregnancy, contraception and women's diseases. A gynaecologist…Read more for a final check-up.
- After the first 6 weeks your general practitioner takes over the care. Contact your general practitioner if you have questions or need help.
Care for the
The care for you baby is handed over to the municipal health centre. The paediatric nurse visits you at home to introduce herself when the child is around 2 weeks old.
- When your child is around 1 month old you visit the child health centreChild health centreThe child health centre (consultatiebureau) provides healthcare for children aged 0 to 4.…Read more yourselves for the first timeFirst timeFirst sexual contact with a partner. The first time usually means the first…Read more.
- After about 8 weeks, the baby will get its first vaccinations.