And, changing gears now to some lighter news.All expectant mothers want nothing more than the birth of a healthy, happy baby. But what if that birth happens to be moments before or after the New Year? 

Well, the country's biggest hospital, the KHMH recognizes the births of the first three New Year's babies with a showering of gifts from corporate sponsors and a whole lot of media attention. We were invited to start the new year with oodles of cuteness:

The image of a baby representing a fresh start goes all the way back to the ancient Greeks who celebrated the yearly rebirth of Dionysus the god of fertility and wine.

And being born on New Year's day can bring you luck, newborn swag and a little bit of fame. Today, we got a glimpse of three new year's babies: day old Zariyah, Amelia Chee, and Emelio Chan.

Amelia's mom told us that her long labour stalled long enough for her to deliver on New year's day.

Erlene Chee
"Good, it feels really good. I didn't expect it but it happened. I wanted to party and be home with my kids enjoying, I didn't expect to be here at the hospital but it happened. This one was a blessing quick all the rest were long so, thank god for this one. She was born at a quarter to five. Five in the morning because I got here about 2:30 I usually have long labours."

Reporter
"Now did the baby come before the actual due date?"

Erlene Chee
"Yes, cause she should have been born on the tenth."

Reporter
"Oh my so she wanted those gifts."

Erlene Chee
"She wanted those gifts. One spell I had the labour pain it looked like it had stopped when I saw the light so you know. Actually, if it had continued it would have come out quick but she stopped she said noh man, Noh yet."

Cherisse Halsall
"So do you think that she's a particularly lucky person for the day that she's born on?"

Erlene Chee
"Yes, she's lucky, she's very lucky."

Baby Zariyah was the official first baby of 2020. Her mom wasn't ready to say much but she expressed her excitement.

Clemarsha Flowers
"She was born 1:56 pm. It hurt but it felt good when she came out. Well I appreciate it, I feel good excited."

The KHMH PR Manager, Tylon Tillett told us that the hospital celebrates these New Year births and this year wanted to make sure that the newborn's drive home is safe and secure.

Tylon Tillet - PR Manager, KHMH
"This year one of our initiatives was to make sure that each of these children left the KHMH with a car seat. They're not new they were donated to the KHMH we're trying to promote the culture of safety we have seen where kids reach the hospital with varying injuries that were no secure in vehicles. So we're trying to start some initiative o get a policy shared so that car seat safety is practiced more in Belize."

And giving gift packages to the New year's babies is a common marketing tool the world over. We heard from a few corporate representatives who contributed goodies to the New Moms.

Iesha Trapp - Marketing Manager, San Cas Group
"This is just one of the small ways that we do every year and we will continue to do it what we added last year was giving a package in each district so the first baby born in each district does receive the same package that you guys saw in there."

Angela Hung - Marketing Supervisor, Brodies
"Hoping that with this gift package here the baby and the mother can have a new year filled with love joy and happiness."

And even though these little guys have a January 2nd birthday Brayden and Braydan are snuggled up together, safe in the knowledge that they are the first twins of the new decade.

The first baby, Zaria was born at 1:56 PM - and the second, Amelia was born at 4:45 pm.  

Packages for the mothers and babies were donated by The San Cas Group, James Brodie and Co Ltd., and the Rotary Club of Belize Sunrise.