How to Unclog a Newborn Tear Duct -- Heal an Infected Newborn Eye

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By Rebecca Wicks
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Tear ducts in newborn eyes can easily get clogged.

Newborn tear ducts can easily get clogged in the first few days after birth. The solution is surprisingly simple.

Symptoms include tearing in the eye, goopy newborn eyes, and red eyes. The tearing and goop in the eyes is commonly yellow or greenish in color.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

warm wash cloth
breast milk

Step 1

Apply a warm compress on the newborn baby's eye.
Step 2

Using your knuckle or pinkie finger apply a small amount of pressure at the inner edge of your baby's eye and make short sweeping strokes in a downward motion. this encourages the tear duct to open.
Step 3

Express a few drops of breast milk and drop into the infected eye. Antibodies in the breast milk will help fight the infection.
Step 4

Repeat four to five times a day.