Guangzhou's first safe haven for abandoned babies received 51 children in the first 13 days after it was put into use in the Guangdong provincial capital, New Express Daily reported.

In addition to infants, children aged 5 to 6 have been left at the facility.

All the children who were abandoned were critically ill or disabled.

The large number of abandoned babies and children has exceeded the estimate of local welfare officials, said an official from the Guangzhou welfare home that set up the haven.

"We never encouraged parents to dump their babies and children via establishing the safe haven," the official told local media.

Located only 50 meters from the gate of the welfare home in a busy downtown area, the safe haven provides abandoned infants and children a temporary home. It was formally put into use on Jan 29.

With floor space of only 7 square meters, the facility, which cost 120,000 yuan ($19,800), is equipped with baby beds and incubators.

It is open from 7 pm to 7 am daily and has no surveillance cameras inside.

People who leave babies there are instructed to press a button when they leave, and staff members will arrive three minutes later to take care of the children.

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