Inspired by Stuff Dutch People Like‘s insightful musings about Dutch culture, I’d like to share some stuff that Dutch babies like. Or more accurately, what seems like almost all doting Dutch parents buy for their bundle of joys.
As a first-time anxious mom, I meticulously studied Babble’s Top 100 Newborn Essentials. While nothing quite prepares you for motherhood until the actual experience of becoming one, I somehow found comfort in being ultra-prepared. I was also curious about what other Dutch moms and moms living in the Netherlands bought for their little ones. After all, if my baby was going to be half-Dutch anyway and we were going to live in this country, might as well try to “integrate”.
Interestingly, I found these four common baby products that seemed quintessentially Dutch:
1. A Bassinet or Cradle (Wieg)
It’s not a surprise that the Dutch who absolutely value gezelligheid (warm, cosiness, pleasant atmosphere), would also have a bassinet or cradle for their newborns. After all, a tiny baby in a cradle or bassinet is much cozier than a full-size crib. Dutch babies graduate to a full-size crib usually between the ages of three to six months depending on how big the wieg is and how fast the baby grows.
After what took forever to finally decided on a co-sleeper, we finally decided on the Bloom Alma Urban Cot. Not only is the Bloom Alma Urban Cot gorgeous to look at, but quite practical to have because it’s foldable, an awesome advantage for Dutch living. Alternatively, I would have chosen the Bed Nest.
2. Wooden Playpen (box)
What seems to be a staple in every single Dutch living room is a wooden playpen referred to as a box. When I first set my eyes on one, I was a bit startled because it seemed more like a cage. I soon learned, however, that the box is quite a practical thing to have. While I don’t know any parents that actually leave their baby in the box for long, extended periods of time, a wooden playpen in the living room allows parents to momentarily put their baby while they do quick errands like cooking, or opening the door for guests and packages.
A dear friend who moved to Singapore kindly gave us several baby stuff, including the beloved Dutch box. Americans have basically a similar version to the playpen, but most if not all are plastic variations. Personally, I find the wooden box more aesthetically appealing.
3. Baby bouncer (wipstoeltje)
Perhaps the American equivalent to a baby bouncer would be the swing. I have yet to see a swing in a Dutch household, but every single person in the Netherlands seems to have a baby bouncer. For our little one, we decided to go for the Baby Bjorn Babysitter Balance (Organic).
4. High-end Luxury Stroller (Kinderwagen)
While American parents ubiquitously question the practicality of a high-end luxury stroller, Dutch parents seem to already have their eyes set on which high-end luxury stroller they want. If you’re driving everywhere (like most Americans do), than it really doesn’t make sense to invest so much on a stroller. However, if you live in a thriving Dutch metropolitan city like Amsterdam or Utrecht where walking and biking are the norm, strollers are considered investment pieces that are worth their weight in gold.
It seems like a Dutch right of passage for parents-to-be to head over a ginormous Costco-size warehouse called Baby Park in Gouda to test drive the different strollers. Thanks to the Joolz Earth Edition Elephant Grey stroller and the gorgeous canals of Utrecht’s historic city center, I was able to literally walk off 20 kilos with my baby in tow within 5 months, no dieting necessary.
Whether or not a cradle, wooden playpen, baby bouncer and high-end luxury stroller are actually essentials are definitely up to debate. In all honesty, what babies all essentially need are loving parents, milk (breast-milk or formula), clothes, diapers, and a safe place to sleep. The rest are simply luxuries that many Dutch households with children seem to have. Perhaps it’s also the generous child benefit allowance of € 191.65 each quarter regardless of income level that allows Dutch babies to have all these nice things. Let’s also not forget the Dutch culture of giving new parents pre-loved items and the popularity of buying stuff second hand.
What ever the case may be, Dutch babies (and their parents) like cradles, wooden playpens, baby bouncers and high-end luxury strollers. Do you?
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