by How To Tʀᴇᴀᴛɪɴɢ Sticky Eyes In Newborns
Sticky eyes’ in newborns is common, and here is how you can help soothe it for your little one. Sticky eye’ often occurs in the first few days after birth. It usually happens because ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ ᴏʀ ᴀᴍɴɪᴏᴛɪᴄ Fʟᴜɪᴅ has ɪʀʀɪᴛᴀᴛᴇᴅ your baby’s eye and caused a yellowish ᴅɪsᴄʜᴀʀɢᴇ in the corner.
It may also be a ʙᴀᴄᴛᴇʀɪᴀʟ ɪɴFᴇᴄᴛɪᴏɴ, so a doctor should see your baby to confirm the ᴅɪᴀɢɴᴏsɪs. Usually your baby’s eyes will get better on their own, but your GP or public health nurse may show you how to massage your baby’s tear duct to unblock it.
Tʀᴇᴀᴛᴍᴇɴᴛ
If your baby’s eyes have become crusted, and she’s having trouble opening them, you may want to gently clean them. The following method is recommended by the HSE:
- Wash your hands.
- Wet a sterile cotton ball with sᴀʟɪɴᴇ sᴏʟᴜᴛɪᴏɴ (or cooled boiled water).
- Gently wipe your baby’s eye from the inside corner to the outside corner. Use a new cotton ball for each wipe.
- Gently dry the eye using a different cotton ball, wiping from the inside corner out.
- Wash your hands.
If your baby still suffers from sticky eyes after a prolonged period. your GP may give you a referral to see a specialist.
Other issues
Pink or red eyes are a sign that your baby may have conjunctivitis. This is caused by the thin skin on the front of the eye becoming infected. Symptoms also include: Eyes watering more than usual, swelling, yellow or green ᴅɪsᴄʜᴀʀɢᴇ from the eyes. Take your baby to your GP if you think they have conjunctivitis. Do this immediately if your baby is less than 24 hours old. If it is an infection, a course of antibiotics will be prescribed, or you will be given a solution to bathe your baby’s eye.
