As the clock struck midnight, Sydney greeted an estimated 168 babies, followed by 310 in Tokyo, 605 in Beijing, 166 in Madrid, and 317 in New York.
Some of the first babies were born in Fiji in the Pacific, and the US delivered some of the last.
Fiji
This little cutie doesn’t know it yet, but she is one of the first babies of 2019, born between 12:00am and 12:01am at the at the Colonial War Memorial hospital, Suva, Fiji.
Australia
A few hours later Lincoln became one of Canberra’s newest residents. Lincoln, pictured here with mum Lilian at the Canberra Centenary Hospital for Women and Children, is one of the first babies born in Australia in 2019.
Indonesia
In Bekasi, Indonesia, new mother Putri holds her newborn baby girl delivered at 7:07am at the Rumah Awal Bros Hospital. “Being a mother is the greatest gift that I will not exchange for anything,” says Putri.
India
Of the estimated 395,072 babies born on New Year’s Day, a quarter were in South Asia alone, like this little girl, pictured here with mum Kavita in New Delhi, India. She is the first child of Kavita and father Vikas and they are very excited to take their bundle of joy home soon.
Gaza
Mohammed was born to Samia and father Moamen at 7:30am, weighing 3.8kg.
"Nothing can describe how happy I am, but I’m worried about my baby’s future," says mother Samia"
Côte d’Ivoire
Mother Salimata and her newborn baby girl pictured at the Hopital General de Port-Bouet in Abidjan. The baby girl, who is not yet named, was born to Salimata and father Losseni at 6:38am.
"It's a joy for me to have a fourth child, I feel great, and imagine a better world for her," says Salimata"
Spain
Newborn baby girl Sofia with her mother Lilit at the Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus in Barcelona. "I feel great. I hope Sofia will have success and be a really good person,” says Lilit.
Afghanistan
Mother Lemah, 24, holds her newborn baby son Rayan at the Malalai Maternity Hospital in Kabul. Rayan was born at 9:00am and weighs 3kg.
"I pray that my son grows into a healthy and educated man," says Lemah."
China
Father Li Min introduces his daughter Li Xin Rui to her newborn sister Li Xin Yao. Li Xin Yao was born by caesarean section at 10:19am at the Beijing United Family Hospital.
"I only wish for my daughter to have a peaceful and healthy life. I feel very fortunate, and wish everyone a happy New Year," says Mother Xu Hui"
Nigeria
That smile! This little one is the first baby of the year born at Lagos Island Maternity Hospital in Lagos central, Nigeria's commercial capital. He was born at 12.00am and weighed 3.7kg.
Ukraine
This baby boy was the first newborn delivered at the Kyiv perinatal centre on 1 January, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
"He is a darling little man who, I hope, I will always be able to support. I expect my son to grow up a true man, honest, caring, happy, and healthy, the latter is the most important," says mother Iryna"
Brazil
Newborn baby girl Julia was born by caesarean at 12:01am to mother Viviane and father Rafael at the Hospital Sofia Feldman in Belo Horizonte, capital of the state of Minas Gerais. Viviane is very happy and feeling relieved. Rafael says he is very hopeful about providing a future for his daughter.
Haiti
This little one is the first baby born in 2019 at the Hopital de l’Université d’Etat d’Haiti. She’s was born to mother Sara and father Prilvo, at 3.50am, weighing 2.25kg.
Make a Difference
Around the world on 1 January, families welcomed countless Alexanders and Ayeshas, Zhengs and Zainabs. But in several countries, many babies will not even be named as they won’t make it past their first day.
Globally, one million tiny new babies take their first and last breaths on the day they are born. Another 1.5 million babies die within their first month of life.
Many of these babies' lives could be saved every year if every mother and every baby had access to affordable, quality healthcare, good nutrition and clean water.
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