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You?ve stocked the nursery, filled your freezer with casseroles and programmed the breastfeeding clinic?s number into your phone. Weeks of nesting have you feeling totally prepared for motherhood. You won?t need much help after the baby arrives, right" Not so fast, Supermama!
All that prep is a great head start, but many rookie parents don?t realize how physically and emotionally overwhelming the first weeks of parenthood can be. Mastering new skills?breastfeeding, changing diapers, soothing a fussy baby?takes practice, and is extra challenging when you?re dealing with plummeting hormones, exhaustion and the physical recovery from birth.
Having some extra hands on deck during your crash course in Baby 101 will feel like a life preserver in high tide. But lots of people don?t know how to ask for help?or don?t think they should need it. Take it from us: Everyone needs it, and you won?t lose any mommy points for putting out an SOS. But how do you get the kind of help you really need"
1. Give up the guilt

Many first-time parents, especially moms, find it difficult to reach out for help because ?they assume they should be able to do it all and do it all well,? explains Debra Woods, a postpartum doula and owner of Dakini Doula in Vancouver. Unrealistic expectations and taking on too much not only cause stress, but hinder your body?s ability to heal after birth. Woods advises new moms to figure out what really matters in those early days (breastfeedi...