Blocked Tear Ducts

You know you’re a mom if you have a newborn with a blocked tear duct. This problem is so common that most parents become experts at it within the first few weeks of becoming a parent.

Blocked tear ducts happen in at least 10% of newborns. They can happen in one eye and sometimes affect both!  Symptoms of blocked tear ducts include:

·         Constant tearing

·         Very mildly swollen/red eyelids (the white part of the eye should not be red)

·         Eyelids that stick together

·         Eyes that produce green-yellow discharge

 Most babies with have blocked tear ducts are born with this condition, however the symptoms may not reveal themselves until weeks after birth. This often confuses parents to think their baby has an eye infection, however, this is most often not the case. Eye infections in babies tend to be much more severe and as mentioned, the white of their eyes tends to be red as well. Blocked tear ducts are not painful and do not bother the baby in any way.

Here’s what you can do at home if you think your baby may have a blocked tear duct:

1-      Apply warm compresses to the affected side, 3-4 times a day. You can wet a paper towel with warm water, or wet a hand towel and put it in the microwave. Make sure it is not too hot so you don’t burn your newborn’s very sensitive skin.

2-       Massage the tear duct gently several times a day. Make sure to wash your hands, then massage gently from the inner corner of the affected eye, in a downward fashion along the side of the nose.

Blocked tear duct symptoms can wax and wane for several months and rarely require prescription treatment or medical intervention. This can sometimes be confusing as well, as the parents think the baby has outgrown their blocked tear duct, but then the symptoms return! That’s okay, this is normal.

If you notice that your baby has goopy eyes, it’s a good idea to have your pediatrician confirm the diagnosis. If they recommend monitoring it, then remember that it will likely go away on its own and use the tips above to help your baby through this time! You got this!

Your PediPals