Weighing in at 3.16 kilograms , the little fellow - who's still to be named - was born at the new Centenary Hospital for Women and Children at 1.55am and received a knitted Kermit-the-frog-style soft toy as his first-ever Christmas gift when Santa did his rounds of the hospital.

The newborn was an early Christmas gift for his parents Jane Waller and Rhys Bingley, who expected their baby to be born on January 6. ''We have three names in mind at the moment but we can't decide,'' Ms Waller said.

''He was a complete surprise. I had an appointment with the doctor yesterday and I have had high blood pressure throughout the pregnancy and the doctor said I needed to be induced to make sure he came along safely.''

There were a few more surprises in store for the couple, of Queanbeyan West, and their baby was later delivered by caesarean section.

''I think he planned it, he knew how he wanted to come,'' Ms Waller said.

It was a good day to be born at the hospital, with presents coming from all directions, including from the Canberra Hospital Auxiliary Committee, whose members gave the baby an attractive scroll holder for his birth certificate.

Mr Bingley said family from interstate planned to visit soon.