Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center''s ActionHealth department has received a Certificate of Excellence from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for "exemplary leadership in creating a business environment that facilitates the continuation of the feeding of mother''s milk after mother returns to work." The Medical Center is the only business in Forsyth County that received this award.
"With the average maternity leave being only 12 weeks, many mothers return to work soon after the birth of their children," said Gladys Mason, M.S., R.D., State Breastfeeding Coordinator. "The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants receive mother''s milk for at least the first year of life."
The lactation room has pumps for employees'' use, pumps that employees can borrow and serves as an education resource room for new mothers interested in learning more about breastfeeding and their baby. The room is open 24 hours a day to all Medical Center employees and is served by two lactation educators who can help in answering questions.
###
Contact: Barbara Hahn, (336) 716-6877.