Obviously, you aren't doing this alone. Even if you're a single mom, you have people in your life who care for you and baby. Involve your family or those around you, and baby and you will benefit.

Support

You might learn that your mother really does know a thing or two. It's amazing to watch her and your dad soothe and burp their grandchild like they've been doing it forever. Just like riding a bike, apparently. And they often have a baby wrangling trick or two up their sleeves that will make your life easier. Every family relationship is different, of course, but witnessing the ones who raised you cuddle and care for the child that you now nurture instills a sense of connectivity and completeness, as if your life has come full circle. Now just hope that all those prophecies they made about “hoping you have a child just like you” don't come to fruition!

Neighbors and friends will likely call both to check on the new addition and to find out whether they can do anything for you. One simple rule: Take all help that is offered. Don't feel guilty, and don't feel like you're putting anyone out. They wouldn't offer if they didn't mean it. And even if they did offer just because they thought they should, they'll think twice next time — won't they?

What's the best way to introduce our dog to the new baby?

Because animals learn from scents, some new parents bring home a receiving blanket from the hospital and give it to their dog to get acquainted. Let the first meeting between dog and baby be a gradual and calm affair with only immediate family present. And always supervise every encounter between your baby and pet.

Sibling Rivalry

Give your older child a chance to bond with baby on the sibling level. Older kids frequently get a kick out of holding, feeding, and protecting their new little sibling. Children who are preschool age or younger might have a more difficult time accepting this drain on their parents' attention. Some tips to promote sibling harmony:

If you're breastfeeding, establish a family routine of a snack or story when baby nurses to make it a special time for all.

Involve your child in age-appropriate baby care. Helping with a bath or diaper change can be just the incentive he needs to relish his new big brother role.

Try to arrange some special parental one-on-one time. Even if you just have a quick story during baby's nap, try to have a designated time in which your firstborn is the star of the show.

Tell your older child stories about her babyhood. Hearing how she threw strained peas at daddy or wore her very ripe diaper as a hat will have her in stitches and can help her relate to this odd little creature a bit better.

Don't use the baby as an excuse. If children constantly hear “We can't do that because the baby is sleeping,” guess whom they start to blame for the new crimp in their social lives? Instead, provide baby-friendly alternatives when you have to say no: “We can't go swimming today, but we can go for a walk to the park.” And arrange some time to take your “big kid” someplace he's been dying to go without a baby sibling in tow.

Daddy Time

Don't hog the baby. Make sure that daddy gets his own chance at bonding time. With a constant flow of visitors and your many hours clocked on baby duty, he may be feeling left out. Both he and your child need time alone together. Getting out and moving on a short walk is good exercise for you right now and a healthy way to clear your head after a day of talking in babyspeak. Hand the reins over, without direction or judgment if at all possible, and give dad a chance to run the show.