Feeding choices are personal. Concerns about growth, feeding or health require assessment by a healthcare professional.
Prepare without locking yourself into a choice
Before the birth, discuss who can help with latching, expressing milk or bottle feeding. Ask how to recognise feeding cues and whom to call besides your kraamzorg provider. A preference can change if recovery, milk supply, pain, medication or the baby’s health calls for it.
Buy only a small basic supply before the birth. The choice of bottle, teat, pump or aid often depends on what the parent and baby turn out to need. Marketing claims are no substitute for support.
Feed in response to your baby’s cues
Early hunger cues include rooting, smacking the lips and bringing hands to the mouth. Crying is a late cue. During feeding, also watch for signs of fullness, such as turning away, sucking less actively or relaxing the hands. A bottle does not have to be finished.
Frequency and quantity vary by baby and change quickly. Growth, wet nappies, alertness and how feeds progress together provide more information than a single schedule. Discuss any doubts with your kraamzorg carer, midwife, the Dutch youth healthcare service or another suitable healthcare professional.
Prepare formula accurately and hygienically
Use first infant formula suitable for your baby’s age and follow the pack instructions for the ratio of water to powder. Wash your hands and use a clean bottle and teat. Do not add extra powder, water, cereal or other products without individual advice.
In the Netherlands, cold tap water is usually suitable and does not need to be boiled, with exceptions such as lead pipes. Check the current instructions from Voedingscentrum. Discard any milk left after a feed and follow storage times carefully.
Make vitamin D and K part of care
From one week after birth, Voedingscentrum advises 10 micrograms of vitamin D each day, including for babies fed with formula. This advice applies until the fourth birthday. Check how many drops provide the dose because the concentration varies by product.
Vitamin K is also given shortly after birth. Then, from day eight until your baby is thirteen weeks old, the daily recommendation is 150 micrograms for breastfed babies, babies receiving less than 500 millilitres of formula a day, or babies receiving hypoallergenic formula. Discuss how to give it with your kraamzorg carer or the consultatiebureau, especially after a change to the feeding schedule or personal medical advice.
Ask for help early if feeding hurts or your baby feeds poorly
Feeding can take time and practice, but persistent pain, damaged nipples, few wet nappies, drowsiness or a baby who repeatedly drinks very little are reasons to seek an assessment. Ask someone to observe a full feed instead of giving only an isolated tip.
For breastfeeding, a lactation consultant can help alongside kraamzorg, your midwife or the Dutch youth healthcare service. For bottle feeding, support can help with position, pace and quantity. If there are warning signs, seek medical help according to the calling instructions for young babies.
Sources for this guide
This guide provides general information. Your healthcare professional or the competent authority can explain what applies in your situation.
- Voedingscentrum: breastfeeding and bottle feedingAccessed on 2026-09-07
- Voedingscentrum: extra vitamins for your babyAccessed on 2026-09-07
- Voedingscentrum: how much formulaAccessed on 2026-09-07
- Voedingscentrum: preparing a bottleAccessed on 2026-09-07