It's difficult for new mothers to process that once you have the baby, you have the baby. Many are so focused on the actual birth they don't think about taking the baby home and caring for it. Moms come home from the hospital needing peace, quiet and a long nap. The problem is there's now a small, adorable, crying baby that depends on Mom and Dad for its basic needs. Considering that adjustment period before the baby arrives will save parents a lot of headaches, stress and exhaustion.

Asha Small, a mom from Connecticut, couldn't find anyone to help her and regrets it. "Unfortunately I did everything for myself, and with a C-section," Small says. "My mom couldn't leave her job to come be with me and my husband had to work, though he would help out after work. I've found myself multitasking when he was at work and caring for a newborn while dealing with postpartum depression."

Lynda Vernalia, mother of two from Westford, Mass., says a local volunteer organization was a lifesaver for her. "For my first daughter, I had a volunteer from a group called Good Beginnings," Vernalia says. "Once a week, Sandy came by for a few hours, sent me up for a nap, did my dishes, cleaned my kitchen and held my Isabelle in between readying some kind of casserole for me to bake that night. I loved that day of the week, sure I would get the rest I needed, a ready-to-cook meal and she was so good with my baby. For two hours I was in heaven."

Denise Dame is the executive director of Good Beginnings, a free volunteer home visitor program that gives help to families with newborn babies. She believes that having help is incredibly important for new parents. "Any family welcoming a new baby (or babies) into their lives could use a helping hand," Dame says. "Although a joyous time for new parents, the sleep deprivation, physical exhaustion, uncertainty about parenting skills and newborn care can be overwhelming. Additionally, many mothers must prepare to return to work in six short weeks following birth."

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