Families leap for joy as two baby boys born on 29th

Four-and-a-half weeks early, weighing 6.11 lbs, Diego George Catanho was born to Laura and Octavio Catanho at 12.55pm, with 7.1 lbs. Reedus Norman arriving at 9.59pm to Gemma Patterson and Nick Norman, both on the Loveridge Ward.

A tired but ecstatic Ms Catanho said baby Diego, who arrived by Caesarean section, would be celebrating his birthday on 28 February from now on, with perhaps a double birthday celebration on a leap year.

‘He arrived early,’ she said of the couple’s first born.

‘He was meant to arrive in March, so it was a surprise, but we’re really happy and he’s been getting spoilt already.

‘I’ve been here for nearly a week now as he’s been in an incubator because he arrived early, so I’m looking forward to taking him home.’

Baby Reedus was also meant to arrive a little later, with a 1 March due date.

‘I was induced on 29 February, but I didn’t think it would happen,’ said Ms Patterson.

‘He’s my fourth and we’re all very pleased.’

Although baby Reedus would have to wait until he turned four to celebrate his birthday on the actual day in 2024, Ms Patterson added that they would celebrate on 1 March to coincide with his due date.

‘It’ll be a special day for him though when it does come around,’ she said.

‘He’ll get lots of presents, as he has already.’

Both families thanked the staff at the PEH, particularly Loveridge Ward, for all their support.

PEH midwifery clinical lead Lynne Getheridge said the birth of a baby should be front page news everyday.

‘Every baby is special, regardless of what day they were born,’ she said.

‘But being born on a leap day will be a special date for them as they grow up.’

Two leap day babies were born in Jersey this year.