Birth & baby checklist.
A list with everything that's handy to have at home — for the birth, the postpartum week, and the first days with your baby.
This list is meant as a help — not a must-have. In Amsterdam, almost everything can be delivered within 24 hours, so just grab what you need and skip the rest.
Three parts.
- Birth Everything for the birth itself and the postpartum week — maternity package (kraampakket), hospital bag, items you can rent.
- Baby All around your little one — nursery, clothing, baby care, going out, and the first toys.
- Recovery & feeding For you after the birth, plus everything for breast or bottle feeding.
Not 200 products you 'must' buy.
Most baby checklists and newborn essentials lists you'll find online are put together by shops — designed to make you buy as much as possible. This one is different. It comes from practice: what I actually see, after years of working as a postpartum carer, that parents need during their postpartum week — and what stays untouched 90% of the time.
Whether you're looking for a maternity package checklist, a newborn essentials list, or simply want to know what to have ready before the birth — this list gives an honest overview. Take what fits, leave the rest.
Free maternity items.
Some items can be rented free of charge through your Dutch basic health insurance — and they don't count towards your yearly deductible. Think of a birthing pool, bed risers, or a shower stool.
Two trusted rental companies are Vegro and Medipoint. Both deliver across the Netherlands.