Families welcome Christmas Day babies

Baby Kairo was born in the early hours of Christmas Day at Leicester General Hospital

Parents whose babies were born on Christmas Day in Leicester say their festive celebrations will never be the same again.

While many of us were preparing for an epic dinner, some couples were on their way to hospital for the birth of their child.

First-time father Brian said he was "over the moon" to welcome his son Kairo, who was born weighing 8lb 1oz (3.6kg) at 03:56 GMT at Leicester General Hospital on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old, from Anstey, in Leicester, said the arrival was "extra special" as he was born on Easter Sunday in 1991.

Brian said it was an "indescribable feeling" to become a father for the first time

Brian said he and his wife Thokozani had been a given a due date of 21 December.

"I felt he was going to come early," he said. "It was really unexpected on Christmas Day, but we are over the moon.

"It's an indescribable feeling to be a father. It's a blessing and we are really looking forward to seeing him grow up.

He said both their families were "super ecstatic" with the birth of their first child.

"Especially grandma because I was born on Easter Sunday," he said. "So, it's full circle and extra special."

He said both mother and baby were doing well, adding: "Kairo's a chilled out baby. He's making it easy for us.

"He has more of my features than his mum. He's a mini-me."

Mother Gurpreet said her three-year-old daughter was "super-excited" to play with her baby brother Nihal

Mother-of-two Gurpreet, from Eyres Monsell, welcomed son Nihal at 03:27, weighing 6lb 3oz (2.87kg) at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

It was an early arrival - he had been due on 4 January..

"We didn't expect our baby on Christmas Day, but it's very exciting and overwhelming," the 32-year-old said.

"We just made it in time to the hospital. He came very quickly, in 45 minutes.

"Christmas will never be the same again and we will celebrate both every year."

Ms Dhother said the couple's three-year-old daughter was "super excited to meet her baby brother and play with him".

Michelle Warby, midwife at the Leicester General Hospital for University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, said: "It's been a very busy Christmas, with lots of festive babies being born.

"It's a joy to deliver a baby at any time, but it feels extra special and such a privilege to support families at this special time of year.

"Congratulations to all the new parents, and thank you to our wonderful colleagues who work over the festive season. The teamwork has been amazing."