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The second conference, titled “The Great Stories of Little Heroes,” held under the auspices of Becutan, once again reaffirmed the brand’s long-standing commitment to the smallest, most vulnerable, and bravest fighters — premature babies.

“Have faith in your little heroes, who, through no choice of their own, began their life’s battle much sooner than others. With optimism and belief, they will grow into true heroes,” said Dr. Stanka Tancheva Krstevska, specialist in pediatrics. The gathering encouraged meaningful discussions around modern practices in neonatal care and the everyday challenges faced by families and professionals caring for preterm newborns.

The conference’s first panel, moderated by Prim. Dr. Marina Pop Lazarova, highlighted the current medical insights in neonatology and the essential role of a multidisciplinary approach in caring for premature babies. Experts – Prof. Dr. Katerina Damevska, Dr. Simonida Spaseska, and Prof. Dr. Silvana Naunova Timovska – were unanimous: a mother’s love gives the strongest support to premature infants, providing stability, warmth, safety, and a natural calm.

“While modern medicine offers tremendous support, the most profound impact on premature babies comes from skin-to-skin contact. It strengthens the mother-child bond and stabilizes vital parameters. A mother’s love is a true remedy,” stressed Prof. Dr. Naunova Timovska.

Behind every preterm baby lie countless obstacles, sleepless nights, and moments of uncertainty, but also a powerful web of love, faith, and dedication that turns every small step into a great victory. This was the shared conclusion of the panelists/parents of premature children: Maja Kikiritkova, Goran Papaz, Dr. Stanka Tancheva Krstevska and Asst. Prof. Dr. Igor Isjanovski in the panel moderated by the actress Sanja Arsovska.

“I left the hospital alone, with empty hands, while other mothers left with their babies. That feeling never leaves you,” said Maja Kikiritkova, a mother who has twice walked the difficult yet courageous path of preterm parenthood. Her son, Lazar, spent 40 days in an incubator, and her daughter Eva was kept under observation for 8 days after birth. “These little fighters battle every single second. I believe this fight will make them resilient in life,” Kikiritkova shared, extending heartfelt support to all parents going through similar journeys. A hopeful and encouraging message was also shared by panelist Asst. Prof. Dr. Igor Isjanovski, who himself was born at 28 weeks of gestation, weighing only 900 grams, and today is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Skopje.

Speaking about the role of fathers in families with premature newborns, Goran Papaz – father of four children, three of whom were born prematurely, noted: “Fathers should take equal part in raising their children. It is not ‘help’; it is a responsibility shared equally with the mother.”

With nearly five decades of tradition in baby skin hygiene and care, Becutan remains a devoted and trusted partner to parents and experts in caring for the little ones from their very first day. This year, the brand has continued to provide Becutan Sensitive SOS Cream to five maternity centers, where, under strict medical supervision, its safety and efficacy in caring for the most sensitive skin have been confirmed once again.