Mom of ‘New Year baby’ grateful for support

The arrival of a new baby is always a moment of hope, and Baby Jergens marked the start of 2026 by sharing that spirit of care and comfort with Sharaylia Rankine, the first child of Sharrisa Gaynor and Delano Rankine at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital in Kingston.

As part of its New Year Gifting Initiative, Baby Jergens presented a specially curated care package of gentle skincare essentials to support babies from their very first days. The gift also included receiving blankets, an infant travel pillow, diapers, and a car seat.

"Baby Jergens was inspired by the idea of starting the New Year with kindness and care, celebrating new beginnings and the joy that babies bring," said Christena Miller, senior brand manager for Jergens. "The initiative reflects our desire to support families from the very first moments of a child's life and to make the start of 2026 warmer and more meaningful for new and expectant parents."

Miller added that by gifting products designed for babies' delicate skin, the brand reinforces its promise to be a trusted partner for parents while showing care beyond products through thoughtful community engagement.

For 24-year-old Sharrisa Gaynor, who is from the Fletchers Land community in Kingston, the gesture was both unexpected and reassuring as she begins her journey into motherhood.

"I was raised knowing the value of having a village to raise a child - learning the importance of being respectful and keeping in mind that we never really know what someone is going through. Becoming a mother reminded me of this every day," Gaynor said. Gaynor, who delivered her baby at 2:16 a.m. on January 1 weighing 3.97 kilograms, said labour was long and hard.

"I was in labour for 12 hours. The pregnancy itself wasn't bad, but the pain became unbearable at times, but I am grateful for all the support I received. Her father and I are so happy my baby arrived safely and is able to receive all these blessings," she said.

Speaking about the gift from Baby Jergens, Gaynor admitted that she never really thought about the brands before.

"So receiving this gift made me feel supported and reminded that my baby's care down to her skin at this stage really matters," she said. "I am also grateful for the car seat as my partner and I have that on our list of needs for our baby girl. I hope this is a sign that all her dreams will be fulfilled and that as a New Year's baby, lots of blessings will be showered upon her."

Looking ahead to the year, Miller shared her wishes for baby Sharaylia and her family.

"I wish her a year filled with good health, happiness, and beautiful milestones, and the family a 2026 full of love, strength, and cherished moments together as they grow and learn side by side," she said.

Baby Jergens was on alert waiting for news of the first baby to be born for 2026 in Kingston, and among the hospitals, Victoria Jubilee, one of the country's leading maternity and neonatal care institutions dubbed 'The Birthplace of a Nation', welcomed the milestone. The hospital continues to serve thousands of families annually, making it a fitting location for the initiative.

"The team was impressed by the kindness and helpfulness of the staff while on the ward and is extremely grateful to them. Baby Jergens wants to reassure mothers as well as caregivers that they are not alone. The gifting sends a message of love, trust, and encouragement, reminding them that babies deserve gentle care," Miller said.