Danish words for parents

The Danish words you'll hear from the health visitor, daycare and the municipality — explained.

Season:

autostol
car seat
A child car seat. Required by law for children in cars.
babyalarm
baby monitor
A monitor to hear or see your baby, often used during outdoor naps.
badesko
water shoes
Summer
Light shoes for the beach, paddling pools and water play. Daycares often ask for them in summer.
barnevogn
pram
A large pram with a carrycot for babies, used for walks and outdoor naps.
barnevognsdyne
pram duvet
AutumnWinterSpring
A duvet made for the pram, tucked in at the sides.
barsel
parental leave
The general word for leave around a birth. Also used for the whole period at home with a baby.
barselsafsnit
postnatal ward
Where you may stay with your baby after the birth. Many families go home within a few hours to a day.
barselsdagpenge
parental leave benefit
The weekly benefit paid during leave, based on your hourly wage up to a maximum. Your employer may pay full salary instead.
barselsorlov
maternity leave
The leave around the birth. Often used loosely for all parental leave.
bæresele
baby carrier
A soft carrier for carrying your baby on your body.
børne- og ungeydelse
child benefit
A tax-free benefit paid every quarter for children under 18. Often called børnepenge.
børnehave
kindergarten
Childcare for children from around age 3 until school starts.
børneundersøgelse
child health check
Free check-ups at your GP at set ages from 5 weeks to 5 years. Book them yourself.
børnevaccinationsprogrammet
childhood vaccination programme
The free Danish vaccination programme, given by your GP alongside some child health checks.
CPR-nummer
personal ID number
Your Danish personal number, used everywhere. Your baby gets one after the birth is registered.
dagpleje
childminder care
Care for a small group of young children in a childminder's own home. Often an option while waiting for a vuggestue place.
dagplejer
childminder
The person who runs dagpleje in their home, employed by the municipality.
dagtilbud
childcare
The umbrella word for all public childcare: dagpleje, vuggestue, børnehave and integrated institutions.
Digital Post
official digital mail
Where public authorities send you letters, including about your child's vaccinations and daycare.
dyne
duvet
A pram duvet tucked around the baby for outdoor naps.
egen læge
your GP
Your family doctor. In Denmark you are registered with one GP, who handles pregnancy check-ups and your child's health checks.
elefanthue
balaclava hat
AutumnWinter
A hat that covers the head, ears and neck with an opening for the face. Thin cotton in spring, wool in winter.
fleecedragt
fleece suit
AutumnSpring
A one-piece fleece suit worn under rain gear or as a mid layer on chilly days.
flyverdragt
snowsuit
AutumnWinter
A padded all-in-one winter suit. Most Danish children wear one outside from around November to February, and daycares often expect it.
forældrebestyrelse
parents' board
The elected group of parents who help run the daycare.
forældrebetaling
parent fee
The monthly fee you pay for childcare. Prices are set by each municipality every year.
forældremyndighed
custody
Parental responsibility for your child. Married parents share it automatically.
forældreorlov
parental leave
The leave each parent can take after the first weeks, partly shareable between parents.
futsko
soft leather slippers
AutumnWinterSpringSummer
Soft leather indoor shoes with a non-slip sole. Many vuggestuer ask for them for indoor use.
fædregruppe
fathers' group
A group for new dads, offered by some municipalities and organisations.
fødeafdeling
labour ward
The hospital department where you give birth.
fødselsforberedelse
birth preparation classes
Antenatal classes before the birth, offered by the region and by private providers.
gummistøvler
rubber boots
AutumnSpringSummer
Wellington boots. Wear them with wool socks for warmth; lined versions exist for winter.
halsedisse
neck gaiter
Winter
A tube of fabric worn around the neck instead of a scarf, which is safer for small children.
havregrød
porridge
Oat porridge, a common breakfast for small children.
hjemmesko
indoor shoes
AutumnWinterSpringSummer
Soft slippers worn indoors at daycare and in many homes. Most daycares ask you to bring a pair.
hue
hat
AutumnWinterSpring
Danish children wear a hat outside for much of the year; babies always wear one when sleeping outside in the cold.
hygge
cosiness
The Danish idea of warm, relaxed time together.
indkøring
settling-in period
The first days or weeks at daycare when a parent stays and the child gradually spends longer there.
integreret institution
combined nursery and kindergarten
A daycare with both vuggestue and børnehave groups, so your child can stay in the same place.
jordemoder
midwife
The midwife you see during pregnancy and at the birth. Your GP refers you after your first pregnancy visit.
klapvogn
stroller
A lighter pushchair for babies who can sit up.
kondisko
trainers / sneakers
SpringSummerAutumn
Ordinary trainers for dry days. Velcro is easiest for small children to put on themselves.
køredragt
pram suit
Winter
A light padded one-piece suit for babies in the pram or stroller.
kørepose
pram footmuff
Winter
A padded sleeping bag that fits into the pram for outdoor naps in cold weather.
ladcykel
cargo bike
A bike with a box in front for children. Very common in Copenhagen.
leverpostej
liver pâté
A popular spread on rye bread for children and adults.
luffer
mittens
AutumnWinter
Mittens without separate fingers. Waterproof luffer are used for snow and wet play; pack a spare pair for daycare.
lukkedage
closing days
Days when the daycare is closed, often between Christmas and New Year and around Easter.
madkasse
lunch box
The box for the madpakke. Label it with your child's name.
madordning
meal scheme
Lunch provided by the daycare. If there is none, you bring a madpakke.
madpakke
packed lunch
A lunch box from home, typically rye bread with toppings, fruit and vegetables.
Min barsel
My leave (self-service)
Udbetaling Danmark's online self-service where you plan your leave and report changes.
misdannelsesscanning
anomaly scan
The detailed ultrasound scan around the middle of pregnancy.
MitID
MitID (digital ID)
The digital ID you use to log in to public services, banks and Digital Post.
mødregruppe
mothers' group
A group of local mums with babies born around the same time, often set up through the health visitor.
omsorgs- og ansvarserklæring
declaration of care and responsibility
A form unmarried parents sign to register the father and share custody.
overgangsjakke
light jacket
SpringAutumn
A light jacket for spring and autumn, between seasons.
pasningsgaranti
childcare guarantee
The municipality's duty to offer your child a childcare place from a certain age, though not always in your first-choice daycare.
pladsanvisning
childcare placement office
The municipal office where you sign your child up for childcare and list your wishes.
puslebord
changing table
A table or unit for changing nappies.
pædagog
early-years educator
A trained educator working in daycare.
regnbukser
rain trousers
AutumnSpringSummer
Waterproof trousers, often with braces, worn over normal trousers or termotøj.
regnslag
pram rain cover
AutumnSpringWinterSummer
A clear plastic cover for the pram or stroller in rain.
regntøj
rain gear
AutumnSpringSummer
Rain jacket and rain trousers, usually worn over other layers. Children wear it in all rainy weather, including at daycare.
rugbrød
rye bread
Dense dark rye bread, the base of most Danish packed lunches.
sandaler
sandals
Summer
For warm, dry days. Many daycares prefer sandals with a heel strap (and some ask for a closed toe) so children can run and climb safely.
skaljakke
shell jacket
AutumnSpring
A thin wind- and waterproof jacket worn over a fleece or wool layer.
skiftetøj
change of clothes
A spare set of clothes kept at daycare: underwear, socks, trousers, top. Check and refill it every week.
skovbus
forest bus
A daycare group that travels by bus to the forest or nature for the day.
solhat
sun hat
Summer
A soft sun hat with a brim. Daycares prefer ones without a string.
sommerbody
short-sleeved body
Summer
A short-sleeved bodysuit for warm days.
sove ude
napping outside
Danish babies often nap outside in the pram, also in winter, when it's not colder than −10 °C.
sovepose
baby sleeping bag
A wearable sleeping bag for babies, used instead of a loose duvet.
sundhedsplejerske
health visitor
A municipal nurse who visits you at home in your baby's first year to check growth and wellbeing and answer questions.
svangreomsorg
pregnancy care
The public pregnancy care programme with GP, midwife and scans, free of charge.
søskenderabat
sibling discount
A discount on the fee when more than one child is in childcare.
termogummistøvler
lined rubber boots
AutumnWinterSpring
Rubber boots with a warm lining. The everyday shoe for cold, wet Danish days from October to April.
termojakke
thermal jacket
AutumnSpring
A padded, water-repellent jacket – the top half of termotøj.
termostøvler
lined winter boots
AutumnWinter
Warm, waterproof boots with a lining. Daycares ask for them when it is cold, wet or snowy. Buy with a little room for a wool sock.
termotøj
thermal outerwear
AutumnSpring
A padded, wind- and water-resistant jacket and trousers for cool, damp days in autumn and spring. Can be worn under rain gear.
tilsynsrapport
inspection report
The municipality's regular report on a daycare's quality. Ask for it when you choose a place.
træsko
clogs
SpringSummerAutumn
Easy slip-on clogs (often rubber for children). Handy for quick trips outside in the garden or playground.
Udbetaling Danmark
Payments Denmark
The public agency that pays barselsdagpenge, child benefit and other benefits.
udflytterbørnehave
countryside kindergarten
A kindergarten where children are picked up in the city and taken by bus to a site in the countryside for the day.
uldbody
wool bodysuit
AutumnWinterSpring
A baby bodysuit made of wool or wool-silk, used as the first layer in cool weather.
ulddragt
wool suit (baby)
AutumnWinterSpring
A soft one-piece wool suit for babies, often with a hood and fold-over hands and feet.
uldfutter
wool booties
AutumnWinterSpring
Knitted or felted wool booties for babies who don't walk yet.
uldsokker
wool socks
AutumnWinterSpring
Wool socks keep feet warm even when slightly damp. Pack a spare pair for daycare.
uldundertøj
wool base layer
AutumnWinterSpring
Thin wool body or top and leggings worn next to the skin. Wool keeps children warm even when slightly damp.
vandtætte luffer
waterproof mittens
AutumnWinterSpring
Waterproof mittens with long cuffs that go over the jacket sleeves.
vandtætte sko
waterproof shoes (tex-sko)
AutumnSpring
Trainers or ankle shoes with a waterproof membrane, often sold as "tex" shoes. Good for drizzly days when rubber boots feel too much.
vinterstøvler
winter boots
Winter
Insulated, waterproof boots for cold and snowy days.
vuggestue
nursery
Childcare for children from about 6 months until around age 3, in a building with trained staff.
økonomisk fripladstilskud
fee reduction
A reduced childcare fee for families with lower incomes.
øremærket orlov
earmarked leave
Leave reserved for one parent that cannot be transferred to the other. Unused earmarked weeks are lost.