Leap Day babies welcomed with special outfits

By: Jena Stopczynski

Posted: Feb 29, 2024 12:53 PM EDT

Carly and Matt Dobin of DeMotte, Ind. welcomed their daughter, Molly, just after midnight on Leap Day at Franciscan Health Crown Point.

CROWN POINT, Ind. -- Franciscan Health Family Centers in Northwest Indiana are celebrating Leap Day in a unique way.

Any baby born today is given a special onesie and knitted frog beanie.

One mother whose baby was born today has a special Leap Year birthday connection.

Carly Dobin gave birth to her daughter, Molly, just after midnight on Leap Day. Carly's late grandfather that passed away last February was also a Leap Day baby and would have been 96 this year.

The chances of being born on February 29 are only one in 1,461. A .068% chance.

Leap day babies are referred to as "leaplings" or "leapers."

There are only about five million people worldwide with a February 29 birthday, which is less than .1% of the population.

Baby boy Norton was born at 7:54 a.m. on Feb. 29 – Leap Day - at Franciscan Health Crown Point weighing 7 pounds 15 ounces and measuring 20 inches to parents Lindsay and Todd Norton of Lowell, Ind.

Baby girl Mahla Harris was born at 5:22 a.m. on Feb. 29 – Leap Day – at Franciscan Health Dyer weighing 7 pounds 7 ounces and measuring 20 inches long to parents T’Anda and Caleb Harris of Hammond, Ind.

Baby girl Layanii McCurdy was born at 1:31 a.m. on Feb. 29 – Leap Day – at Franciscan Health Michigan City weighing 5 pounds 12 ounces and measuring 18.5 inches long to parents Julia Hendricks and Ty McCurdy of Michigan City, Ind.

Baby girl Penelope Faso was born at 1:52 p.m. on Feb. 29 – Leap Day – at Franciscan Health Crown Point weighing 8 pounds and measuring 19 inches long to parents Sara and Jacob Faso of Dyer, Ind.