BABY Romeo Raj will be celebrating his first birthday next year with all the children in Singapore.

That is because, at 1.12am yesterday, he was the first baby to be born on Children's Day at KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

Romeo's arrival was extra special for his mother, Madam Ajibunisha Mohaideen Pitchai, 23, a Muslim, because, coincidentally, it was also Hari Raya Puasa yesterday.

First-time father Raj Kumar, 26, a tattooist, also got his wish. He was hoping that Romeo would be born on Children's Day.

'Then everyone can celebrate his birthday with him,' he said, beaming.

It was a tedious 14-hour labour for the brave mother, who opted for a natural birth and rejected painkillers so she could experience what her mother went through when giving birth to her.

The healthy baby boy measured 49cm and weighed 2.85kg.

It was love at first sight for the young parents, as they married within a month of meeting each other despite disapproval from Madam Ajibunisha's parents. They intend to stop at one, although there are plans to adopt a baby girl.

Madam Ajibunisha used to volunteer at old folk's and children's homes, and hopes to take Romeo to the children's homes to celebrate his birthday in future.

While Romeo is the first Hari Raya Puasa-cum-Children's Day baby born at KK, the first baby born on Oct 1 was a Chinese girl, who arrived seven minutes past midnight at Mount Alvernia Hospital.

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