BMH welcomes Butler’s first baby of 2026
While others may be focused on New Year’s resolutions or getting back to work, Kierra Barrow kicked off her new year with as good a new development as you can have — she became a mother, welcoming the newest member of her family, a baby boy.
Ky’Aire Hough was born at 12:33 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 2, at Butler Memorial Hospital. Ky’Aire was the first baby born in Butler County in 2026.
At birth, Ky’Aire weighed in at 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and is 19 1/2 inches. Both the baby and the mother have been doing well post birth, nurses said.
“He’s such a beautiful baby. He’s gorgeous,” Barrow said. “He’s been so calm too. He’s wonderful.”
Though Ky’Aire was the spelling given on Saturday, Barrow said she had not yet settled on an exact spelling. However, she knew that Ky’Aire was the right name after her sister suggested it.
“There wasn’t any kind of inspiration but my sister said it to us and I liked it a lot,” Barrow said. “It was either going to by Ky’Aire or Kingston and I definitely liked Ky’Aire a lot. And here he is.”
Barrow said she was supported throughout her pregnancy and going into labor by several family members, notably by her aunt, Marlena Flood.
Flood also had a baby around this time last year, she said, and understood what it’s like to go through having a child.
“She did great,” Flood said. “Her baby is so beautiful. And she’s had such good support this whole time.”
Barrow also wanted readers to know that she did not need an epidural — she’s proud that she got through labor unmedicated.
“I’ve really had a great support system this entire time,” Barrow said.
Nurses in the maternity ward at Butler Memorial Hospital said this time of year is normally not too busy, with the first baby of the year always being a big deal. However, they said several more babies had been born in the 24 hours following Ky’Aire’s birth.
On Saturday morning, temperatures in Butler were in the teens and low 20s, with gray skies and snow still on the ground. But inside Butler Memorial Hospital, one-day-old Ky’Aire was a ray of joy and sunshine for his family, sleeping in his mother’s arms while nurses and staff made sure the family was comfortable.
“I’m feeling good. I’m feeling like … finally, the baby’s here. It’s so great,” Barrow said.
