Chinanews, Beijing, Feb. 3 – According to the folklore in Beijing, last year was most ideal for people to get married while this year is a good time for young couples to have babies.

 

There is a popular saying that babies born in the Golden Pig Year, which is said to fall in 2007, will be very lucky. Prompted by this popular saying, many women plan to have their babies this year.

 

“Old people keep saying that the Golden Pig Year falls only once in every 60 years. So women who can have a baby at this particular time won’t want to miss the chance, since every mother wishes that her baby will be blessed by good fortune for life,” said Ms. Hong, who works in a newspaper office.

 

Many families hope that they can have a baby in the Year of the Pig. Ms. Zhang, who works in a bank, is one of them. She is now expecting her baby.

 

“Many of my friends and colleagues are planning to have a baby this year,” she said.

 

The Beijing Municipal Health Bureau predicts that about 130,000 babies will be born this year, 10,000 more than last year.

 

Most well-known obstetrical and gynaecological hospitals in Beijing are having a busy time and it is very difficult for people to register at these hospitals. In the Beijing Obstetrical and Gynaecological Hospital, some families have to hire people to queue for them at four o’clock in the morning to make registration.

 

“If you come at six o’clock, it is almost impossible for you to make it,” a person in the know said.

 

Maternity and infant goods also sell hot in the market. Before their babies are born, many young couples have already bought things like milk bottles, baby clothes, baby cream, toys, cradles, and quilts and place them in the rooms prepared for their babies.

 

Some experts predict that young wealthy couples might consider buying a house or changing for a larger apartment this year before their babies are welcomed into the world. Such “baby boom” will boost the sales of houses and housing decoration goods. Infant goods market will boom this year.