As many celebrated the start of the New Year with family and friends, Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals were busy welcoming some of the first babies of 2026.
Most of the babies made their debut shortly after midnight on January 1, 2026, with physicians, nurses, and staff celebrating their arrivals with decorations and gift baskets for the proud parents.
Many of the parents expressed their gratitude for their care teams and their appreciation for the safe, high-quality maternity care they received.
Here’s a look at some of the newest Kaiser Permanente members born this year:
South Sacramento and Antioch babies
Baby Ariyah Dodson wasn’t due for six weeks, but she had other plans when she made a special early arrival at 12:09 a.m. on January 1, 2026, at Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento.
She weighed in at just 3 pounds, 7 ounces and was getting specialized care in the neonatal intensive care unit. Brittany White said her care team was amazing.
Baby Jett Jester also made an early arrival when he was born at 12:44 a.m. at the Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center.
He was born 5 weeks early, but his parents, Taylor Lisa and Ryan Jester, said he doesn’t look premature. He was at 6 pounds, 11 ounces at birth.
“It’s a New Year’s we will never forget,” said the proud dad. “We feel extremely blessed to have a healthy baby boy. We love him beyond words.”
The Andrews family of San Jose rang in the New Year with an adorable baby girl born at 12:29 a.m. on January 1, 2026, at Kaiser Permanente Redwood City.
Baby Iyla Marie Andrews weighed 6 pounds, 13 ounces and measured 20 inches. Her mom, Marlowe Hatchett, and dad, Isaiah Andrews, commended Kaiser Permanente Redwood City for its “wonderful labor and delivery team.” The parents are doing well and are excited for what the future holds in 2026.
“Iyla has rosy cheeks, big brown eyes, and a head full of hair,” Hatchett said. “It was an indescribable feeling when she was born. We felt such immediate love and excitement for what’s to come on the journey of parenthood. It’s all we could ever wish for.”
San Francisco baby’s mom plans to be a nurse
Kaiser Permanente San Francisco proudly welcomed its first baby of 2026 at 12:42 a.m.
Malia Jade was born to Rachael Newman, a Northern California native.
Malia arrived bright-eyed with a full head of dark hair. She weighed 7 pounds, 10.4 ounces and measured 20 inches long.
She is being welcomed home by a large, loving, and supportive extended family, all residing in the Bay Area. Newman also shared the exciting news that she has been accepted into a nursing program and will be starting very soon.
Fresno baby comes later in the day
Kaiser Permanente Fresno Medical Center welcomed its first baby in the afternoon on January 1.
Baby boy Emric Franklin was born at 2:23 p.m.
But that didn’t stop any of the excitement with mom, Caryss, and dad, Bruce. They said they were thrilled to have the hospital’s first baby of 2026.
