Oh baby, we’re booming!

Blacktown is the top baby hotspot in NSW for the fourth consecutive year with 840 newborns in 2016, up from 754 in 2015! Auburn had the second highest number of births, with 751 babies born.

Statistics were based on the mother’s home address at time of the birth.

“We’re very excited Blacktown has top spot again,” Blacktown Hospital birth unit clinical midwifery manager Rachael Morgan said.

“It represents the high level of care we provide and our efforts to provide a positive experience to all mums and their families.”

Blacktown has been regularly at the top of the list in the last 15 years. The suburb led the way in 2001 with 634 births, was still at top in 2006 with 693 births and again in 2011 with 849.

The only public birthing unit in the Blacktown LGA will be expanded during the next stage of the hospital’s redevelopment.

“We’ve had 800 births so far this year, which is above average,” Ms Morgan said.

“We had 3267 births, which was an increase from recent years, where numbers were stable between 2012 and 2015. Blacktown is a diverse community with many refugees and a rapidly growing population, which will continue with the expansion of new areas. A lot of young families are moving into these areas.”

She believes Blacktown will hold onto top spot  “It’s a good thing to have,” she said.

Note: Story originally appeared in the Blacktown Sun.