Breastfeeding has invaluable importance for every child's health, notably premature babies and those whose health is compromised, the head of UNICEF's Croatia office, Regina M. Castillo, said in a press release.
That's why it's especially important to promote in every situation breastfeeding as the best choice and to give mothers the necessary support and information on the long-term benefits which breastfeeding brings both babies and mothers, she added.
All maternity hospitals in Croatia are baby-friendly
The high breastfeeding rate is also a result of Croatia's commitment to the "Baby-Friendly Maternity Hospitals" initiative because all hospitals in the country are baby-friendly, according to the press release.
A new challenge, it says, lies in the sustainability of the initiative, the development of the "mother and baby friendly maternity hospital" initiative, and the promotion of breastfeeding in intensive care units for premature babies.
The protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding is a Croatian public health priority and part of the national health development strategy. The Health Ministry has recognised the importance of establishing a human milk bank as a key investment in the well-being of babies and ensuring the highest standard of healthcare for premature and seriously sick babies who do not have access to mother's milk.