Motherhood in the Netherlands can be quite different from what you might anticipate. Here are some things you can expect if you’re an international parent in the Netherlands.
I always knew that I wanted to be a mother, and at the age of 32, I was blessed with my son, Louie.
Motherhood has certainly been a wild ride! Especially since I am raising my child in a country that I didn’t grow up in myself (I’m from Australia).
However, since becoming a mummy, I can say that I am very happy to be raising my child in the Netherlands! 🇳🇱
With the help of some other international mothers living in the Netherlands and my own personal experience, I have put together a list of nine things to expect as an expat mother in the Netherlands.
1. Post-Maternity Care (Kraamzorg) in the Netherlands
What is this? It’s something international mothers who have given birth in the Netherlands are completely amazed by and grateful for. It’s an incredible service that shows the Netherlands is forward-thinking in terms of supporting new parents.
After birth, a nurse comes to your house and offers you all the help and support you need (for up to seven days). This was brilliant for me as a first-time mother as I had no idea what I was doing.
When I brought my bundle of joy home, I had all the care, advice and help around the house that I needed. ☺️
READ MORE | 8 things to know about giving birth in the Netherlands
I delivered my son through a c-section, so after my first major operation, I appreciated this help so much. It meant my husband and I could enjoy the first days with our baby boy with no worries.
In my first days of becoming a mother, I felt nothing but kindness, support, and love. 💖
2. A strong sense of Dutch community
Many other international mothers I have spoken to said this was a big reason why they were happy to be a mother in the Netherlands. They felt like it was a safe and friendly place to raise their children.
In the Netherlands, it’s not a problem to let your children ride their bikes in the neighbourhood as it feels safe, and it’s even common to see school-age children walk home from school alone.
READ MORE | How safe is the Netherlands? The safety guide to visiting and living in Holland
There is a big feeling of support from neighbours, which is important to me. My neighbourhood has a number of swings and many other things to do with my son, which makes me glad I live here.
I may not be in my home country, but I know my son is surrounded by a good, strong, and safe community.
3. Boven woning and my big pram
This is my silly rant, but it has proven to be a challenge for me, many times!
I live boven woning (living above ground floor) and when I open my front door, I am confronted with steep stairs. I would say these stairs are “typical” Dutch steps and you’ll come across them all the time in the Netherlands.
READ MORE | Having a baby in the Netherlands? All the Dutch vocab you’ll need
When I became pregnant, I read that choosing your pram is an important part of the process of having a baby. Therefore, I decided to buy a pram that was beautiful, but quite large, so practical!
Trying to get my huge, gorgeous, pram up and down these stairs while keeping my baby entertained has been quite challenging for me (yes, this is completely my fault! 😅 ).
4. Discovering local speeltuins (playgrounds)
I didn’t know speeltuins (playgrounds) existed in my neighbourhood before I had a baby because they are often so hidden, but they are amazing!
In your neighbourhood, you can find a small entryway, but if you walk through, you discover an amazing playground for kids.
It’s like rediscovering your neighbourhood with fresh eyes. 👀
On warm days, you may find your local playground has “water fun” (a shallow pool with a water sprinkler). I love to hang out at my local speeltuins and often have play-dates with other mums.
I am lucky enough to have three speeltuins nearby my house.
There are also many other places that have animals, veggie gardens for kids and so much more to do. Do you know where the speeltuins are in your neighbourhood?
5. The Netherlands is baby friendly
By this I mean, I feel like I can bring my baby wherever I go! That means most cafés, bars and restaurants have no problem if you bring your baby along.
In many bars, you will find cats and, of course, you can bring your dog. The same goes for your baby; they are more than welcome! 👶
If you look around the terrace next time you’re there, you may notice the parade of prams that surrounds you, with so many babies to adore!
I recently attended a child-friendly festival, it was fantastic! I love that just because I have a baby, I don’t feel like I have to hide inside my house.
6. Bilingualism
A question that I have been asked frequently since having a baby in the Netherlands is “what language do you speak to your child?” It’s a good question because I am an Australian living in the Netherlands and my husband is Dutch.
Even though the Dutch start learning English at a young age, around 10 years old at school, I wanted my son to start learning Dutch and English from birth. 🇳🇱🇬🇧
READ MORE | Why are the Dutch so good at speaking English?
Therefore, I speak English to my son and my husband speaks Dutch. Outside of the home, my son attends bilingual daycare (Dutch/English).
Louie is registered in a bilingual school which he will start at age four. I love that my son has the advantage of learning both our (mother tongue) languages from such an early age.
7. Upgrading your bike
Pre-baby, I owned a classic granny bike (oma fiets). After my son was a few months old I could bike with him in a carrier which was so handy.
When my son became eight months old, I purchased a mummy bike (mama fiets.) The bike is equipped with a baby seat at the front, and my son absolutely loves it! There’s nothing more fun than biking with him in the fresh air and hearing him chuckle.
READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #114: Throw their kids in giant cargo bike
Before I became pregnant, I saw those strong Dutch mothers riding their stylish cargo bike (bakfiets) and I wanted one. I have a bakfiets now, which really does take skill to ride!
My situation in the Netherlands means that I don’t need a car. My bikes, together with public transport, take us everywhere we need to go — even with a baby!
8. Flexibility with working in the Netherlands
I have a wonderful situation which means I can work part-time (two days per week). I feel that this is something that is not as frowned upon in the Netherlands.
My husband works one day a week from home. This means he has more precious time with our son.
READ MORE | Parenthood in the Netherlands: advantages and challenges
In the Netherlands, we have “papa dag” (daddy day). This is a fixed day off during the week when fathers can look after their children.
This helps give flexibility and options when it comes to work and our child. This is important to me as a mother.
The Dutch government is also helpful in terms of daycare subsidies. This means if you want to work, you can afford to send your child to daycare — without breaking the bank!
Obviously, all family situations are different, and some may argue they don’t have this flexibility. However, the Netherlands has many more options compared to other countries.
9. Missing my Mum
By far the most challenging thing for me being a mum in the Netherlands is missing my own mum.
I miss her help and support. Of course, technology is amazing, and we have fantastic contact, but she is still so far away.
Those moments I need her the most are challenging — especially being a new mum.
So, there are some advantages and challenges I have experienced since becoming a mother in the Netherlands. I love being a mummy and I am glad I get to do it in the Netherlands.
READ MORE | 5 reasons the Netherlands is the best place to live for expat families
If you are thinking about having children in Holland and you aren’t Dutch, keep calm. It’s a great place to experience motherhood! 🤰
Are there any other positives or negatives to being a parent in Holland? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to join our Facebook group!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in May 2018, and was fully updated in May 2023 for your reading pleasure.
“This means if you want to work, you can afford to send your child to day care- without breaking the bank! “ by this comment of yours I would completely disagree. Kids day care are so expensive that it takes more than half of your salary.
Completely agree. If you want to be a full time mom is ridiculous how much you have to pay to day care :/
Thank you for sharing your wonderful story about being a mom in the Netherlands. When we visited Holland, we bicycled everywhere. We saw the moms bicycling with their children, one child in the back and one child in the front. It was refreshing to see mothers and fathers too out with their children out on bicycles on their daily shopping excursions and other outings.
Interesting to read your story. As an international student who came to the Netherlands as a mum, it was really challenging. First, the information was not out there that as a full-time student, I am qualified to take my child to the daycare and government would subsidise the cost. Most times, I had to come out of my lectures to go pick my 4 year old son who was attending the International school then and make him sit outside my class until I’m done with my classes. It was tough until I found some students who volunteer to take turns to pick him from school.
I however liked the fact that even babies can be fitted on the bikes and mum can be anywhere she needs to be in no time.