ChildCare

What happens to your baby next?

When a baby is found in the baby hatch, a doctor first performs a medical examination.

Afterwards, the baby is cared for by a member of the baby hatch team for approximately 24 hours.

The Mayor of Antwerp is informed. The Mayor becomes the legal guardian of all children found within the city.

The baby is then entrusted to the municipal childcare services of the CKG.

After a few weeks, and if the mother does not make contact, the adoption services are notified and may select a family from their list of screened and approved families. Within approximately one month, this family will care for the baby and later complete the formal adoption procedure.

During the first six months, the biological mother has the right to reconsider her decision and suspend the adoption process.