LEWISTON – CMMC is celebrating World Breastfeeding Week, August 1 through 7, by providing baby slings for all mothers who deliver their child at the hospital during the week.

The hospital will also provide Special Delivery patients and employees with gold bows, signifying breastfeeding as the “Gold Standard” for infant feeding and symbolizing CMMC’s commitment to promote, protect, and support breastfeeding. The Gold Bow campaign is a joint effort of the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action.

CMMC is presently working to attain “Baby Friendly” hospital designation, a program that essentially assures that approved hospitals offer the full range of services needed to support women who choose to breastfeed. The Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative is a worldwide project to help families understand the many benefits to babies, mothers and the community of providing breast milk for infants.

World Breastfeeding Week is observed in more than 120 countries. For information about the Breastfeeding Matters program and Lactation Services available at CMMC, call 795-2528.