Dutch Nurses Give New Parents 8 Days of Home Care

Imagine giving birth four weeks early by emergency C-section and not even knowing how to set up your baby's bed. That's exactly what happened to Caterina Yannicelli when she became a new mom in Amsterdam.

But unlike parents in most countries who face those terrifying first days alone, Yannicelli had something special: a kraamverzorgende. These trained maternity carers are provided to every single new parent in the Netherlands, creating what many consider the world's best postpartum support system.

The program gives families between 24 and 80 hours of professional care, typically spread over eight days. Health insurance covers most of the cost, with some policies charging about $7 per hour.

These aren't just baby experts who pop in for advice. They do laundry, prepare meals, cut fresh fruit, change bed sheets daily, and even clean toilets. More importantly, they monitor both mother and baby for health issues, support breastfeeding, and answer the endless stream of questions that keep new parents awake at night.

Elissa Fischel gave birth unexpectedly at home, weeks earlier than planned. She didn't even know how to put on a diaper correctly. "The first time that I did it, I put it on backwards," she admits.

Having a trained professional in her home those first crucial days changed everything. Her carer did mountains of laundry, including clothes that had been sitting at the bottom of the basket for weeks. She prepared tea and snacks every morning and answered every worried question as it came up.

The Ripple Effect

Marie Claire de Ligt switched from nursing to becoming a kraamverzorgende two years ago. She teaches parents how to hold their babies safely, how to change them, and how to spot warning signs early. "We give new parents a good start in their home environment," explains Wendy Olieman, another maternity carer.

The impact goes beyond practical help. Wendy Aaij-Karuth, a mother of three, cried when her carers left after her last baby. They cared for her older children while she bonded with her newborn and actually got some rest.

This model shows what's possible when societies invest in the vulnerable window after birth. Countries around the world struggle with postpartum depression, infant health issues, and overwhelmed parents who turn desperately to conflicting internet advice at 3 AM.

The Netherlands proves there's a better way: trained professionals who transform chaos into peace during life's most important transition.