RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Every day, thousands of babies are born, but the first day of the year holds a special charm for new arrivals. At VCU Medical Center, 2025 began with the birth of its first baby less than an hour into the new year.
This year marks the start of Generation Beta, encompassing all babies born from Jan. 1, 2025, onward. For first-time parents, the journey ahead can be both exciting and overwhelming, filled with new responsibilities and endless questions.
Kristi Ramey, a postpartum and lactation expert, emphasizes the importance of preparing for this transformative experience.
“Who’s going to help during those nighttime hours? Mom needs sleep after having a baby and recovering,” Ramey said.
According to the National Institutes of Health, about 75% of parents experience consistently high stress, while 70–80% of new mothers face some form of postpartum distress. Ramey assures parents that these feelings are entirely normal as they adjust to life with a newborn.