Caring for a baby is very demanding, and you shouldn't feel that you have to do it all alone. A relative or close friend is one possible source of help. There may even be visiting nurse or homemaker services in your area.

It's wise to consider making arrangements for some help before baby arrives. It's important to first decide exactly what type of help you need. Do you need help with light household chores or with tending baby while you take a break? Do you need someone to run a few errands once or twice a week? When you decide on your needs, choose your helper accordingly.

The time will also come when you have to leave your baby in someone else's care for the first time. This will probably be harder on you than on your baby! If you don't have a relative or trusted friend to baby-sit for you, consider asking for recommendations from other new mothers. You can also look in community newspapers or other local publications for listings of baby-sitters. Be sure to interview each candidate and check his or her references.

Make sure that your sitter is prepared for handling child care emergencies. Keep a list of emergency telephone numbers, including those of family members, posted by your phone and give a copy of it to your sitter in case he or she needs to bring your baby to another location. These precautions will go a long way toward relieving your separation anxiety.