BORN AT 12.12AM, Azam Siddiqui was the first baby welcomed into Dublin on Christmas Day.

He was the first of three babies born at the Coombe Hospital today.

He weighted 7lbs 4oz and was introduced to the media this afternoon.

His older brother, 16-month-old Moin, was delighted with his delivery from Santa.

A spokesperson for the Coombe said it was a busier day than last year, when they had no babies delivered before 11am.

It still wasn’t as busy as Cork University Maternity Hospital though, which said it has been busy all day long.

Their first baby was born at 12.26am, a little boy called Maitiú Moran. He was quickly followed by another boy at 3.29am, and two more 4.36am and 9.29am this morning.

There have also been “loads more” since then, a spokesperson said.

“It’s been a very busy day,” she told TheJournal.ie.

Back in Dublin, at the National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street, Sinéad Fagan from Meath had a baby girl at 17 minutes past midnight.

Emily was 8lb 12 oz when she was born.

The Assistant Director of the hospital said the wards have been “comfortable” all day but not as busy as last week.

“There have been a couple of sections but much better than last week,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Rotunda Hospital has helped deliver three baby girls.

The first, Christie Shannon arrived at 12.46am weighing 7lb 11oz.

She was joined by two more little girls, Agnieszka Stompor and Krishana Poonia, at 2.12am and 3.13am The newborns weighed 8lb 6oz and 6lb 9oz.

All three are doing well, the Assistant Director of Midwifery said.

They all have elder brothers and sisters, as well, she said, noting that none were first-time mothers.