The Women's Center at Nash General Hospital was recently honored with The Golden Bow Award in recognition of the hospital's outstanding support of breastfeeding mothers---making it one of only four hospitals in North Carolina to receive the award. The Golden Bow Award was launched this year by the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition (NCBC) to honor hospitals that implement policies to promote breastfeeding, specifically discouraging the distribution of infant formula companies' bags to new mothers.

The purpose of the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition is to promote, protect and support breastfeeding through a cooperative network of individuals, coalitions, agencies and organizations.

"Through our Women's Center, we continually offer classes and information on breastfeeding, including monthly breastfeeding support groups," said Debbie Lynn, lactation consultant for Nash Health Care. "We recognize the importance of breastfeeding for the baby's health, and want to continue to provide new mothers with the education and encouragement they need."

Formula manufacturers frequently distribute bags as free gifts to new mothers, and these free bags present an opportunity for the manufacturers to advertise their product. But Nash Health Care has opted to no longer allow the companies to distribute the marketing gifts to new mothers, according to information from Victoria Brown of the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition.

Instead of providing diaper bags featuring formula manufacturers, the Women's Center provides free gift bags featuring the name and logo of Nash Health Care.

"Research indicates that the marketing of breast milk substitutes in health care settings decreases the rate of breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity," Brown said.

Victoria Brown (far right) of the North Carolina Breastfeeding Association presents The Golden Bow Award to Women’s Center manager, Mary Strickland (seated) and lactation consultant Debbie Lynn (far left) and Leslie Hall (second from left), vice president of nursing.