Santa came early on Monday night to visit babies who entered the world early.

A nurse in Northeast Georgia Medical Center's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit asked Jeff Forrester, one of Santa's helpers, to dress up as Santa and take pictures with the premature babies as a Christmas present for the families waiting to take home their new bundles of joy.

"It's a blessing to have him here, so having a picture with Santa will be even better," said Keisha Phillips, who cradled her second son, Gage, who is 9 days old and was born at 30 weeks.

"We're going to be here for awhile, so we'll be here for Christmas," she said. "His brother Skyler, who is 3, hasn't been able to see him yet, so he's coming with my husband to bring presents."

The idea started with a suggestion from a nurse and grew to Forrester and his wife Pam, the photographer, jumping on board. Family members also made picture frames and ornaments in the waiting room while Santa visited.

"No mother is trained to have a premature baby, and it can be an uncomfortable or bad experience, so we want to give them the best experience in the hospital considering the circumstances," said Armando Castillo, one of the neonatal doctors who oversees the floor. "They've been really excited, and it's also nice when they have other moms around to talk to for support."

For mom Erica Cabrera, having Santa around meant a lot.

"We're not going to be home for Christmas, so it's really nice to already have a first picture with Santa," said Cabrera, while holding Sandra, her month-old daughter born at 28 weeks. "It'll be a nice memory, and Sandra is definitely my Christmas present."

Forrester, who started donning the Santa costume last year, said he was touched to see the families and babies.

"I love doing this and seeing the smiles on kids' faces," he said. "I'm trying to get out there and do more events. I've had five appointments so far this year."

Forrester also dressed up for the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office Shop with a Cop event Monday and visited a special needs school in Lawrenceville last week.

"I feel like this is something I've been called to do," he said. "I found the costume and different pieces at thrift stores, and I've been thinking about doing this for awhile. It just came together with luck."

It could be the first of two visits from Santa for Trinity James, who was born six weeks early on Saturday.

"We've been treated great, and we hope to be home by Christmas Eve or Christmas," said Laurel James as she gazed at her first child. "It's wonderful that the hospital does this, and she's our amazing Christmas present."