Victoria Jubilee Hospital welcomes first baby of the year
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First-time mother Sharrisa Gaynor (left) receives a gift from Baby Jergens for her New Year’s baby, presented by Sudesh Roberts, marketing coordinator at Massy Distribution Jamaica Limited.
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From left: Sister Mendis Dennis Vincent, first-time mother Sharrisa Gaynor; Sudesh Roberts, marketing coordinator at Massy Distribution Jamaica Limited and Registered Nurse Midwife Lisbe Ortega celebrate with Baby Jergens inside the breastfeeding room at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital.
The arrival of a New Year’s baby is often seen as a symbol of hope. At Victoria Jubilee Hospital in Kingston, that spirit was embodied by baby Sharaylia Rankine, born at 2:16 a.m. on January 1 to Sharrisa Gaynor and Delano Rankine.
To mark the occasion, Baby Jergens presented the family with a care package as part of its New Year Gifting Initiative.
Christena Miller, senior brand manager for Jergens, said the initiative was rooted in the symbolism of beginning the year with compassion. “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,” she explained.
“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.”
For Gaynor, a 24-year-old from Fletchers Land, the gift was both unexpected and reassuring. “I was raised knowing the value of having a village to raise a child… Becoming a mother reminded me of this every day,” she said. Reflecting on her labour, which lasted 12 hours, she added: “The pregnancy itself wasn’t bad, but the pain became unbearable at times. 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.”
The Baby Jergens bundle included skincare products as well as receiving blankets, an infant travel pillow, diapers and a car seat. The gesture, the company said, reflects its commitment to maternal and child wellness across Jamaica.
Speaking about the package, Gaynor said: “I 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. I can’t wait to try the products. I am also grateful for the car seat as my partner and I have that on our list of needs for our baby girl.”
Meanwhile, Miller extended her wishes for the family’s year ahead. “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.
Victoria Jubilee Hospital, dubbed ‘The Birthplace of a Nation’, remains one of Jamaica’s leading maternity and neonatal institutions, serving thousands of families annually. Baby Jergens said it was on alert awaiting news of Kingston’s first birth of 2026 and chose the hospital as a fitting location for its 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.