Nursing your baby
If your baby is gaining weight, you can start following your baby’s rhythm from now on. Make sure your baby is fed between 2 and 4 hours.
If you are formula feeding, you can give +10ML more every day up to a max of 90ML. For further increase, you should follow the advice of the consultation office (Centrum Jeugd en Gezin).
Stitches
If you have stitches, they do not need to be removed. The stitches will dissolve on their own. Sometimes stitches can start to irritate and pull towards the end of the week. In that case, it may be useful to have the stitches removed by the obstetrician.
Vitamin K and D
If you are breastfeeding, your baby needs vitamins K and D from the 8th day. You can buy these vitamin K and vitamin D drops at the drugstore or pharmacy.
If you bottle feed, the baby needs vitamin D from the 8th day, because vitamin K has already been added to formula.
Maternity care (kraamzorg)
Until day 8 after giving birth, the maternity nurse will come by daily to help and to check mother and child. In some cases it is necessary for mother or baby that the maternity care comes to help a little longer. Then the midwife can indicate hours up to and including day 10 after giving birth.
Finalize postnatal care
One of these days the giving of postnatal care will be finalized by the midwife. She will provide information about the consultation office, general practitioner care for you and your baby, vitamins K and D for your baby, contraception and making an appointment for a check-up with the midwife.
It is also good to know that you are a maternity woman for up to six weeks after giving birth. So in case of fever or feeling unwell, you should always contact your general practitioner or midwife. Also for your baby, you should always contact your doctor if you have a fever under three months.