Romantic myths abound of what it feels like to become a mother for the very first time. The first months after the birth of a woman’s baby is often perceived as an eternally blissful period—a maternal symbiosis—in which a woman croons to her newborn while breastfeeding him each day and basks in the joy of being a mother. As a result, many women expect a fairy tale experience of the transition to motherhood. But the truth is that entering into motherhood is like entering into another culture. Most women have no idea what to do when they come face-to-face with their newborns for the very first time and are surprised to discover just how overwhelming and demanding becoming a mother can be. This is usually when culture shock sets in.