The arrival of a new baby is a joyful occasion for most couples. After months of anticipation, greeting that sweet little person you?ve both been dreaming about for so long is an extraordinary experience. Along with all of the happiness and excitement, however, many couples also experience difficulty adjusting to the expansion of their family.

For many women, the third trimester of pregnancy is an uncomfortable time of leg cramps, lower back pain and sleep-deprivation. From this less than ideal state, the mom-to-be is launched into one of the most physically demanding events of her life, after which she is sent home with a brand new baby who requires her constant attention.

If you are the new dad, this time also presents a host of new challenges for you. You may be eager to help but not sure what to do. Your normally happy wife may be irritable and you may feel awkward and useless as she handles the bulk of the baby?s demands and you head back to work. Luckily, it?s actually pretty easy to be the hero during those first few months after your baby?s arrival; you just need to know what to do. What follows is a list of simple things that will remind your wife that you love and adore her and that you?re on this crazy ride together.

1. Volunteer to take the first night feeding

There are few things new moms cherish more than a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. Tell your wife that you would like to take the first night feeding and follow through by giving your baby a bottle (either of breast milk or formula) the first time he or she wakes up at night. This will make mom feel like you?re shouldering the burden together and will also give her a nice chunk of much-needed sleep.

2. Designate a few hours a week of ?Daddy Time?

One of the most disconcerting things for many new moms is the sudden and overwhelming realization that another human being is completely dependent upon her. You can help by carving out a few hours a week of daddy time that you spend alone with the new baby. Encourage your wife to take advantage of this time to nap, take a shower, go for a walk or just sit somewhere quiet and read a book.

3. Listen

The fact of the matter is that most women love to talk. Ask your wife how she?s feeling and if having a new baby is like she expected it to be. Then really listen as she talks about all of the massive changes in her life.

4. Gifts

Remind her that you?re her biggest fan by bringing her a thoughtful gift. If she has trouble sleeping through baby?s first wake-up bring her a pair of earplugs in a pretty box, she?ll love knowing that you?re serious about getting her some good sleep. If she?s told you she?s nervous about breastfeeding in public, show her you were listening by buying her a sweet nursing cover. If she loves taking a relaxing bath, bring her a gift of bubble bath and a scented candle.

5. Help around the house

Little things like emptying the dishwasher or vacuuming the living room can seem quite overwhelming to the sleep-deprived mom of a brand-new baby. Walk around the house and pay attention to what needs to be done and do it without being asked. You might be surprised by the amount of gratitude a load of freshly washed, dried and folded laundry can inspire!

6. Get her out of the house

A walk around the neighborhood can do wonders for the mood of a new mom. Suggest a family walk and help get mom and baby ready and out the door.

7. Tell her what an amazing mom she is

The very best thing you can do for a new mom is to tell her again and again what a great job she?s doing. Even the most confident woman can be rattled by the new demands of motherhood and your support and encouragement is vitally important. Be sure to tell her often how impressed you are with her mothering and how happy you are to have such a wonderful wife and child.

Sasha is the owner and founder of Sasha B. Designs, http://www.SashaBDesigns.com, an online baby boutique that specializes in beautiful, handmade nursing covers for breastfeeding moms. Our nursing covers make ideal baby shower gifts and purchase includes free gift wrapping with a matching gift card. Shop online at http://www.sashabdesigns.com/index.php?cat=1

Sasha also writes an online column, Thoughts on Motherhood, that appears monthly on her website, http://www.sashabdesigns.com/info.php?page=8