Meet 2026’s New Year Babies, From A Rainbow Baby To A 7th Child

As the final seconds of 2025 ticked away, many families across Singapore were watching the fireworks, counting down with loved ones, or ushering in the new year at home. But in delivery suites around the island, a different kind of celebration was unfolding — one marked not by cheers or champagne, but by contractions, quiet encouragement and a baby’s first cry.

On Jan 1, 2026, several babies made their entrance into the world, turning the first moments of the new year into life-changing ones for their parents. From a baby boy born at the stroke of midnight to a long-awaited rainbow baby, these families began 2026 with the most unforgettable welcome imaginable.

Born at midnight

Baby Lerian Lee arrived at 12am, making him one of Singapore’s very first babies of 2026.

Born at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Lerian weighed 2.98kg and was delivered to first-time parents Belle Chia, an administrative staff member at a medical institution and Bryan Lee, a public servant. Both parents are 30.

Their son’s arrival came slightly later than expected — the estimated due date was Dec 29, 2025.

On Dec 31, 2025, Belle began experiencing contractions. The couple headed to KKH’s delivery suite around noon, but with dilation at just 1.5cm, were advised to return home. After lunch and some rest, the contractions grew stronger, prompting another trip back to the hospital after 4pm.

As the final hour of 2025 ticked by, Dr Goh Siak Ming, consultant at the Minimally Invasive Surgery Unit at KKH, attended to Belle. Just as the clock struck midnight, Baby Lerian was born via natural birth. 

“The whole process took more than seven hours. I never expected that the baby would be born at midnight!” Belle shared with Zaobao.

The couple chose the Chinese name An Xu for their son, which carries the meaning of new hope, new beginnings and a fresh start. 

“We hope our child will have a peaceful and hopeful life,” the couple shared.

A seventh child

At 3.14am, another new year baby made his appearance at KKH. 

Baby Muhammad Noah Rizq weighed 3.07kg and was born to Nur Faizah Binte Hamid, 36, and Muhammad Hadi Bin Harris, 39. The father is the family’s breadwinner, holding two jobs as a safety coordinator and a platform worker. 

Noah is the seventh child in the family — all seven siblings were delivered at the same hospital. Their other children are aged 16, 14, 12, 10, 7 and 4.

With Noah’s arrival, the family now has four girls and three boys.

The couple was not expecting a New Year’s Day birth, but Faizah began having contractions at 6am on Dec 31, 2025. She arrived at the hospital at 2pm with 4cm dilation, though her contractions were still irregular. As they waited, the family watched the New Year countdown on television from the delivery suite.

Several hours later, Noah arrived safely via natural birth in the wee hours of the morning.

His parents shared that 1 January would be an “easy birthday to remember” and “a meaningful one to celebrate alongside global New Year festivities”. They hope for their youngest son to grow up healthy, happy and successful.

A rainbow baby after two miscarriages

Meanwhile, the first 2026 baby at Thomson Medical Centre made her entrance into the world at 10.27am.

Baby Kee En, weighing 3.35kg, arrived earthside after 30 hours of labour to first-time parents Choo Fong Yin, 30, a sales manager, and her husband Kee Wai Chong, 31, an accountant.

“Our estimated due date was actually 30 December,” Fong Yin shared. “We were due to see our doctor, Dr Paul Tseng again on Saturday but contractions started at midnight on 31 December.”

Welcoming Kee En on the first day of the year brought a mix of happiness and relief. “We felt excited and relieved that [the] baby came out healthy,” Fong Yin said. “We consider Kee En our rainbow baby because I had two previous miscarriages.” 

The couple did not expect such a long labour or that their daughter would be born on this special day. 

“We were expecting to have the last SG60 baby, but she turned out to be the first SG61 baby instead,” Fong Yin recalled. “We didn’t manage to sleep much after we were admitted on 31 December at 5am, as we were a bit anxious and were timing the contractions when they started.” 

Looking ahead, their wishes for Kee En are simple and heartfelt. “We just want [our] baby to be healthy. That’s our priority. Being our rainbow baby, health is most important,” she said.