Baby's Watery Eye? Simple Care & One Proven Tip (Video)

Transcript

Did you know most blocked tear ducts clear by 12 months?

Did you know most blocked tear ducts clear by 12 months?

Baby Eye Care

In this video you’ll learn how to care for a baby’s watery eye and the one trick that really works, so you can keep the eye clean and comfortable without a doctor’s visit.

Why the eye waters

Tears are produced constantly under the upper lid and normally drain through two tiny openings near the nose into a small sac and then a narrow tube inside the nose. In many newborns the tube’s lower end stays closed, so tears can’t drain and spill over the lid, leaving a sticky crust while the white of the eye stays clear.

What’s normal by age

If your baby is under six months, watery eyes with white crusts are common and usually harmless. Between six and twelve months most ducts open on their own, so you’ll see less crusting. After the first birthday, persistent watering should prompt a visit to a pediatric eye specialist.

Safe cleaning steps

First, boil water and let it cool to a lukewarm temperature. Wash your hands thoroughly, then dip a clean cotton ball or muslin corner, squeezing out excess so it’s damp, not dripping. Gently wipe from the inner corner near the nose outward, using a fresh ball for each swipe.

Gentle massage tip

Many doctors teach a gentle massage of the tear sac to help the thin skin break open. Only do this after a pediatrician shows you the exact motion on your baby. Using a clean fingertip, place it at the inner corner and apply light pressure in a circular motion, then move outward.

Most ducts open by

Research shows that about ninety percent of blocked tear ducts resolve naturally by the time a baby reaches twelve months, so most families can wait without invasive procedures.

The one safe cleaning tip

The single most effective habit you can start today is cleaning the eye with a fresh cotton ball soaked in lukewarm boiled water, wiping from the inner corner outward after each feeding, which removes crusts and prevents irritation.

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Read the full guide

The full guide is on thecareonline.com. General information only, so check with your doctor for your own case.