New Year’s babies arrive minutes into 2024
Families across South London celebrated the New Year with little bundles of joy born just minutes into 2024.
Baby Blake Courtright couldn’t wait to get the New Year started, arriving 21 minutes past midnight just yards away from London’s firework display, at St Thomas’ hospital in Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth.
About 6,000 babies are born each year at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust – which covers five hospitals, including Guy’s in Great Maze Pond, Lambeth, St Thomas’ and neighbouring Evelina London Children’s Hospital.
Weighting 9.7lbs, Blake was the first baby born at the trust in 2024 to proud parents Sophie and Graham Courtright from Dulwich.
Mrs Courtright said: “It was very special looking out over the London fireworks and we are very grateful to the wonderful midwives at St Thomas’ for their excellent care, and to the police for assisting us through the crowds to ensure we made it to St Thomas’ in time.”
The newborn was also met by three-year-old big brother Quinn Courtright, as well as St Thomas’ midwives Georgia Oloye-Tella and Daniyah Ahmed.
Just minutes later, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust welcomed its first arrival.
A little girl, who has not yet been named, was born to mum Shannon, from Orpington, at 12.25am, weighing in at 7lbs, 3oz.
Shannon said: “My care has been absolutely fantastic. Everyone has been really helpful and supportive.”
Maternity staff at King’s College Hospital, in Denmark Hill, welcomed eight babies on New Year’s Day 2024 including VaÏana.
The baby girl was born weighing 8lbs at around 2.30am to mum Deborah from Streatham Hill.
Clare Clifford-Turner, specialist midwife at King’s College Hospital, said: “Congratulations to all the families who celebrated the arrival of their New Year’s Day babies at King’s College Hospital.
“A special thanks to all our staff who have worked over the festive period, not only to bring these very special babies into the world safely, but also for bringing festive cheer, a positive attitude and exemplary teamwork.”
Pictured top: Shannon gave birth to the first baby of 2024 at King’s (Picture: King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust)