"It's the best day of our lives": Delighted families celebrate the birth of New Year's Day babies - In Pictures

The New Year marks the start of something new - and for a handful of overjoyed couples, it has also meant welcoming a new baby into the world.

At Queen Alexandra Hospital, the maternity ward had already celebrated the birth of six adorable babies by 8.30am this morning (January 1).

Havant couple, Kayleigh Riddell and Jason Stewart, had the shock of their lives when Kayleigh went into labour three weeks early while having a cosy night at home to celebrate the New Year.

The 30-year-old went into labour at 9.45pm and within a matter of hours, baby McKenziemai was born at 1.20am this morning, weighing 6lbs 8oz - the first baby of 2026 to be born at QA Hospital.

Jason said: “It is exciting anytime you have a child but we weren’t quite ready for her because she was three weeks early.

“It’s a new adventure for us - a new chapter in our lives - and my daughter Lillymae is so excited to be a big sister.”

Devon Pope and Kieran Olford were also amongst those on the ward, patiently anticipating the arrival of their daughter who, after two days, was born at 6.04am, weighing 8lb 6oz, and was the third baby born today.

Kieran said: “It’s our first baby and the first baby of both of our families and I’m one of six so they are all so excited.

“It’s the best day of our lives - I keep staring at her, I can’t take my eyes off her, it has been fantastic I can’t put it into words and it’s so lovely to be able to share that with our families.”

The 30-year-old said his sister, Amy, who is a midwife in Southampton, was there for the birth of baby Olford after begging to swap shifts at work.

Kieran added: “My sister is a midwife and she was there for the whole thing - she was amazing. She begged everyone to swap shifts with her so she could spend her New Year’s eve with us. How do you thank someone who has done that for you? She was so excited to be there and talk us through everything.”