Baptist Memorial hospitals welcomed the first babies born in 2026 with special gift baskets containing items for newborn care and pampering for mom. Keep reading to learn which hospital greeted a baby boy 16 minutes after midnight on New Year’s Day, and get the scoop on all of Baptist’s first babies born in 2026!
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center welcomed the first baby born in 2026 at Baptist. Shakerria Burns and Josh Collins met their son Joshua Maurice James Collins at the hospital at 12:16 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 1. Joshua weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces. The hospital presented the family with a basket of gifts for both baby and mother.
Baptist Golden Triangle
Jaysia Smith greeted her son De’Shawn Conley at 12:37 a.m. on Jan. 1 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle. De’Shawn weighed 6 pounds, 14 ounces. He joins his big brother Fredreiq Bush Jr. The hospital presented the family with gifts for the baby, including a Safety 1st kit, Aquaphor baby skincare essentials gift set, Baby Dove body wash and lotion, bath toys, teethers, socks, hats, outfits and more.
Baptist Women’s Hospital
Hunter and Heidi Lee met their daughter Hudsyn Ivy at Baptist Memorial Hospital for Women at 12:37 a.m. on Jan. 1. Hudsyn weighed 6 pounds, 10 ounces. She joins one other sibling. The hospital gave the family gifts for the baby, including a car seat, breast milk cooler and storage containers, HALO sleeper, baby book, snack containers, diapers, wipes and lotion.
Baptist North Mississippi
Harrison and Catherine Bryant welcomed their son Henry Bryant at 1:25 a.m. on Jan. 1 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-North Mississippi. Henry weighed 7 pounds, 11.6 ounces. He joins three other siblings. The hospital presented the family with an assortment of baby essentials and comforting items for mom.
Baptist DeSoto
Tinesha Floyd greeted her daughter Naiari Floyd at Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto at 3:42 a.m. on Jan. 1. Naiari weighed 6 pounds, 9.5 ounces. The hospital presented the family with gifts for the baby, including a baby bathtub filled with diapers, towels and bath essentials.
Baptist Anderson
Kaytlin Peeples and Joey Crosby welcomed their son Kaycen Jase at 8:26 a.m. on Jan. 1 at Baptist Anderson Regional Medical Center. Kaycen weighed 5 pounds. Kaysen is the family’s second child; his older sister is Kyrielle. The hospital gave the family gifts for the baby.
Baptist Union County
Milga Sanchez and Ezequiel Zepahua greeted their son Ezequiel Alexander Zepahua at 8:37 a.m. on Jan. 1 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union County. Ezequiel weighed 5 pounds, 14 ounces. The hospital presented the family with gift bags containing baby essentials, safety items and a car seat.
Baptist Union City
Elyssa Larrauri and Dawson Laws met their daughter Adalyne Mae Laws at 12:51 p.m. on Jan. 1 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Union City. Adalyne weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces. The hospital presented the family with a wagon filled with gifts for the baby.
Baptist Oktibbeha County
Nigeria Chinnery and Lavontraon Smith welcomed their first child Chosen Lee Andrew Smith at 11:03 p.m. on Jan. 1 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Oktibbeha County. Chosen weighed 6 pounds, 12.6 ounces. The hospital gave the family a gift basket with a teddy bear, baby book, socks and a manicure set.
Baptist Tipton
Fredkedra Mason and Kenneth Gibbs welcomed their daughter Kennadi Jade Gibbs at 3:57 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3 at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Tipton. She weighed 5 pounds, 1.8 ounces. The hospital presented the family with a gift basket with baby care items that were generously donated by the Tipton volunteer staff.
NEA Baptist
Shateria Howard and Melroy Johnson III met their daughter Oaklynn Johnson on Monday, Jan. 5 at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital. Oaklynn weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces.
