Every four years a leap year comes, which means we get one extra day that year. Now babies have a mind of their own which means that some babies decide to come on February 29th. This means they have a birthday every 4 years. With a leap year happening this year, it’s interesting to dive into how leap-year babies will celebrate their birthdays. 

The chances of having a baby on February 29th are quite slim being one in 1,461. But a baby can come on that day. It takes approximately 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds for the earth to make a complete orbit around the sun, and yes those 5 hours and some minutes mean every four years there’s an extra day. 

For the leaplings, the biggest question that arises is when do they celebrate their birthday? Leaplings can choose to celebrate it on the 28th of February or March 1st when it isn’t a leap year.

There is much more to leap year than an extra day, According to StyleBlueprint.com, “Somewhere buried in Scottish and Irish tradition dating back to the 13th century, it was decided that on February 29, women could pop the question to their significant other. It was accepted that if the proposal was refused, the man was expected to buy the woman a gown, fur coat, or pair of gloves.”

What better way to celebrate a birthday, maybe a proposal, or maybe a rejection; but at least there were presents involved. Other celebrations have arisen from this such as balls and parades to honor leaplings. Some parents with younger leaplings make leap activities which include a game of leapfrog. 

Leap Day babies even got recognition in Hollywood with the rom-com “Leap Year” which follows the century-old tradition for women to propose to their boyfriends. Of course, this movie starring Amy Adams includes a love triangle making it an enjoyable romantic movie. 

And yes you still age the same each year but you also age in leap days. According to Cinincanit.com, “If you were born in 1976 you’d be 48 years old or 12, or more recently if you were born in 2012 you’d be 12 years old or 3 in leap days.” 

This year in 2024 the leaplings will get to celebrate their rare but unique birthday. As for everyone else, enjoy the extra day that we get.