Top parent Nicole Richie

May 23, 2008, 10:05 GMT

Nicole Richie - © Lee Roth / RothStock / PR Photos

Nicole Richie has won a parenting award.

The new mother received a Golden Pacifier Award from America's Babytalk magazine.

Nicole - who gave birth to daughter Harlow Winter, her first child with rumoured fiance Joel Madden, in January - was handed the accolade in recognition of her mothering skills.

Babytalk Editor-in-chief Lisa Moran said: "Honouring Nicole Richie with a Babytalk Golden Pacifier Award might come as a surprise to some, but we felt that she deserved some recognition for her turnaround since becoming a mom.

"She has grown up a lot since the arrival of little Harlow, and her creation of the Richie-Madden Children's Foundation has demonstrated her efforts to set a good example by shining a spotlight on important issues affecting today's families."

Before having Harlow, Nicole was famed for her partying with pal Paris Hilton. She has also beaten heroin addiction and spent time in jail during her pregnancy after being convicted of driving under the influence (DUI).

Talk show host Ricki Lake also received a Golden Pacifier for her documentary about home birth, 'The Business of Being Born'.

Lisa said: "We gave Ricki Lake a Golden Pacifier this year for bravely sharing her birthing experience in 'The Business of Being Born', sparking a much-needed conversation about the state of modern childbirth.

"She provided moms with a wonderful reminder that childbirth is about choices - it can, and should be, as individual as the child who punctuates it."

(C) BANG Media International