Parents leap for joy as Millie arrives

New baby makes her entrance on February 29

Millie Hamilton arrived in the world on February 29 – but that doesn’t mean she’ll celebrate her birthday once every four years.

Proud parents Elaine and Steven, from Stonehouse, have come up with a solution for the tricky situation when birthday time swings around for their newborn.

“I hadn’t really thought about it,” said Elaine. “But of course we’ll want to celebrate Millie’s birthday every year, so we’ll mark it on March 1.”

Millie was the first 2020 leap year baby born at University Hospital Wishaw, arriving at 4.22am.

The chances of being born on a leap day are 1 in 1461. Millie weighed 7lbs 10oz following a six-hour labour at the hospital, and delivered a surprise for mum Elaine, 33, and 39-year-old dad Steven.

“We were both convinced it was a boy this time,” said Elaine. “I don’t know why, I just had an inkling. We had even chosen the name Aaron.

“Millie was the first to be born at the hospital on February 29, but another couple of babies were born later in the day.”

Elaine, Steven, and their two-yearold daughter Megan got to take the newest addition to the family home just a matter of hours after Millie was born.

While the birth went without any complications, there has been one problem at home – lack of sleep.

Elaine, an administrative worker in Motherwell, said: “We’re all pretty tired and still trying to get into a routine.

“Millie has been up every couple of hours during the night, so we’re definitely behind on sleep.

“And I don’t think Megan has been very impressed so far. She’s not wanting to hold her sister just yet, and she said ‘she’s cute - but noisy.’

The Hamiltons are delighted to be home now, and are looking forward to a very special leap year as a family.