By Joycelyn Tseyiboe Ama
The Principal Midwifery Officer at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Felicia Martey Dodoo, has cautioned mothers to take neonatal care seriously, stressing that yellow eyes in babies within the first 28 days of life may be a sign of jaundice.
She explained neonatal care as the special medical attention given to newborns during the first 28 days after birth.
Speaking in an interview on GTV’s Breakfast Show on September 17, 2025, Mrs Dodoo addressed common misconceptions among parents, including the belief that the soft spot on a baby’s head should close immediately after birth. She noted that the posterior fontanelle closes after about six weeks, while the anterior fontanelle closes after six months.
She also highlighted challenges faced by breastfeeding mothers, stressing the importance of colostrum, the thick yellow breast milk produced immediately after birth, which helps build a baby’s immunity against infections.
“Breastfeeding is a psychological reflex for the baby,” she said, while warning parents to watch for danger signs, including yellow eyes, which may indicate jaundice.
Mrs Dodoo urged first-time mothers to openly share their concerns and worries with health professionals for proper guidance.
