There are no tears when a newborn cries. This is because
the baby's tear ducts have yet to mature (tear ducts
tend to mature at about 6 weeks). And because of this,
irritants cannot be washed away causing baby's eyes
to become more prone to infection.
Eye Cleaning
Wash your hands thoroughly with
soap and water and wipe them dry before handling your
baby (make that a routine). Pour some cooled boiled
water into a clean container. Using clean cotton balls
or washcloth, dip them into the water and squeeze
out the excess. Gently clean baby's eyes from the
inner corners toward the outer corners in ONE stroke.
Rep eat the same with the other eye using a fresh
clean piece.
Eye
Ailments
Blocked Tear duct
• A blocked tear duct is very common during
the newborn phase and most of the time it resolves
as baby grows. The tear ducts are tiny tubes that
run from the corner of the eyes, collecting the
tears which are constantly being produced to keep
the eye moist; the fluid then passes down into the
nose cavity.
• In small babies there can be a blockage
at the bottom end of the tear duct which causes
germs to grow in the moist site. This then oozes
out as discharge.
• A blocked duct seldom requires treatment
but if the problem persists at six months and up,
treatment becomes necessary.
• In such a situation, white gooey stuff collects
in the corner and edges of the eyelids. The eye
may also seem 'weepy'.
• Wipe your baby's eyes with cooled boiled
water (use a different cotton ball for each eye)
from the inner corner then outwards every few hours.
Massage gently by rubbing at the side of the nose
beneath the corner of the eye.
• If regular cleaning and massaging (for a
day or so) doesn't seem to improve the situation,
you will need to call the GP. The infection needs
to be treated with antibiotic eye drops.
"Sticky Eyes"
As with blocked tear duct this too is quite common.
One or both eyelids end up sticking together while
baby is asleep due to discharge from the eyes. This
is usually an irritation that results from the fluids
your baby has encountered at birth. Wipe your baby's
eyes with cooled boiled water using a different cotton
wool for each eye every few hours. It is rarely conjunctivitis
and more likely a blocked tear duct. However if there
is no improvement consult your GP.
Crossed or Squinty eyes
This situation is especially common in the first 3
months because baby's eyes are not working together
yet. This is due to a lack of muscle power in controlling
the eyes. It becomes more obvious when baby is relaxed
and feeding. She will be able to focus both eyes when
her eye muscle develops. It becomes a concern if there
is no change after this time frame.
Eye
care Don'ts
• Do not constantly wipe baby's eyes with tissues
or face cloths.
• Do not change formula because of sticky eyes.
• Do not clean baby's eyes with any kind of
tea.
• Do not discontinue breastfeeding in case of
sticky eyes.
• Do not use the same cotton ball or same side
of the washcloth to clean both eyes.
Medical assistance becomes necessary if:
• Discharge becomes darker yellow and more sticky.
• Discharge gets worse by the day.
• The whites of the eyes start to redden and
you detect some swelling.
