Every year, hospitals and media outlets go crazy about the first baby born in the new year. Apparently parent’s also strive for this honor and maybe even plan their births around the midnight countdown. Some even try to squeeze out the baby just before the ball drops, so they can claim the child on their 2007 taxes.
For babies whose births coincide with the changing of the calendar, there’s a financial interest for parents: Children born before Jan. 1 can be declared as dependents on 2007 tax filings. A nursing staff member at Inova Alexandria Hospital said a mother decided to deliver 15 minutes before midnight to make that deadline. But, she added, the safety of the child is always the primary concern.
Of course of course, the child’s safety! It’s a little absurd what people are willing to plan their births around these days. The mother mentioned above who decided to deliver 15 minutes early must have had a c-section, otherwise she has amazing control of her own body.
Apparently one couple even stole the new years baby title two years in a row.
Want to learn more about the new years babies? Articles from Boston, Washington DC and even a Babies R Us sweepstakes.
Radical Doula 
Remember last year how Babies R Us took the prize away from the actual first baby because her parents were undocumented immigrants?
I’ve been boycotting them ever since.
That’s ridiculous! I definitely support the boycott.
Whoops! I found the article, and I made a mistake: Babies R Us has since reversed the decision and coughed up the $25000.
Here’s the story with corrections from the NYT:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/06/nyregion/06toys.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
It’s still an interesting read. The article notes that of the three babies who tied for “first place” in 2007, two were born to immigrant parents.