But at least she has a little friend by her side.

In two months, Molly will begin a series of operations to help rectify a range of birth defects associated with Vater syndrome.

But the birth of baby sister Chloe has helped to lighten the mood in the Deane household.

“It’s been lovely having a new baby in the house and Molly loves her baby sister . . . except when she cries,” Molly’s mother, Amanda Deane, 28, said.

“I think they’re going to be great friends.”

Mrs Deane gave birth to a healthy, 4.5 kg baby girl at Maitland Hospital last Thursday, but her pregnancy was not without its concerns.

“Of course, I was worried that something would be wrong with Chloe because we didn’t know about Molly’s problems until she was born,” the East Maitland mum said.

“But we had a lot of tests this time around and when Chloe was born without any problems we felt like we’d won the lottery.

“We just feel extremely lucky.”

Molly, now 22 months, was born nine weeks premature weighing a tiny 2160 grams.

Shortly after her birth she was diagnosed with the rare congenital disorder known as Vater syndrome.

Some babies with Vater syndrome only have some of the defects associated with the condition but Molly was born with the full gamut of health and medical concerns, including heart problems and a deformed hand.

As a result, Molly spent the first four months of her life at the John Hunter Hospital.

She has had two major operations since birth; one to insert a feeding tube and another to join her oesophagus to her stomach.

She now faces at least two years of extensive surgery to correct her abnormalities.

“Molly still has a long way to go but she’s getting there,” Mrs Deane said.

“She has survived to celebrate her first birthday and we are sure she’s going to take her first step any day now. We were told Molly would probably never walk but, as usual, she’s going to prove everybody wrong.”