With 2024 being a leap year, staff at the Ayrshire Maternity Unit at University Hospital Crosshouse have welcomed some very special arrivals, sharing the unusual birth date of 29 February.
Nine infants arrived to Ayrshire families as leap babies, or ‘leaplings’, the first local children to be born on that date since 2020.
The new arrivals included baby Aria Thomas who was welcomed by parents Lisa Taylor and Jay Thomas from Troon. Aria, weighing 6lbs 2oz and born at 9.54am, shares the same special birthday as mum Lisa and is little sister to Lucas aged 2.
Little Gabriel Ayoub, arrived at 12.08pm weighing 7lbs 3oz. Gabriel is son to mum Claire Wiseman and dad, Mike Ayoub and sibling to 3 year old big brother, Elijah from Irvine.
Huge congratulations to all the families with new arrivals.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Interim Deputy Nursing Director Ruth McMurdo said:
“Our dedicated staff support women giving birth across Ayrshire every day of the year, both at the Ayrshire Maternity Unit at Crosshouse and in their own homes with our Home Birth Team. You can’t choose when your baby arrives but the 29 February only comes round once every four years so these little ones are extra special and we wish them and their families all the very best.”
