New year, new life: First babies of 2026 welcomed across West Michigan hospitals
WWMT••business
Key Points:
- Three West Michigan families welcomed newborn boys on January 1, 2026, at different hospitals including Bronson Birthplace in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, and University of Michigan Health-West.
- The first baby of the year at Bronson Birthplace in Kalamazoo was born at 12:19 a.m., weighing 6 pounds, 2 ounces, and measuring 19 inches, with the family doing well.
- Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital saw a notably large baby born at 1:35 a.m., weighing 10 pounds, 8 ounces, and measuring 23 inches, arriving ahead of the expected due date of January 7.
- University
