Jenny Collins, Editor welcome

Is there anything more gorgeous than a brand new baby? I had such an overwhelming experience with my firstborn son that

really didn’t take enough time to just appreciate the fleeting newborn weeks. I guess that is why subsequent babies have it so much easier: calmer moms who take in the moment. If this is your first you may feel like I, and many of us, did: stuck in the trenches with your head deep under water. One of the worst and best pieces of advice came from my mom in the middle of this new-mom, new-baby messy time. “Try not to wish it away, it goes so quickly.” At the time I wanted to shout at her because all I was doing was wishing it away: if we could just get to that magical six-week mark that everybody talks about (as if overnight your baby will sleep, eat on schedule and not cry with no reason!) But actually I get it now. Now I am past all that and I really did wish it away and didn’t appreciate the special smooshy time with my newborn. So with my second, I held her all the time. I fed her and stared out the window. I watched her sleep and let her lie on me for hours. I relished every fleeting moment because I knew it would be fleeting. She was a much easier baby. Was it coincidence because I was calmer and more in the moment? I don’t know. But I do hope that our newborn dossier on page 61 will help arm you with enough knowledge not to sweat the small stuff. Enjoy every moment and don’t wish it away. My son is now eight years old and I still can’t quite believe it…