It is not common but yet natural that in some babies the tear duct takes time to fully develop and open up and that causes watery or sticky eyes. In most cases, the duct opens up within few weeks but in some cases it may take up to 6 to 8 months or even one year. You don’t need to use any medicine except keeping the eyes clean and can do a gentle massage couple of times every day to help open up the duct.

Some babies have watery or sticky eyes and parents get worried thinking it as some sort of infection. It could be bacterial infection that a baby may have caught. However more commonly, it is due to blocked tear duct which sometimes takes bit longer to open up and fully develop. It could impact just one or both eyes but is not at all painful or infectious.

It is not common but yet natural that in some babies the tear duct takes time to fully develop and open up. Tear duct ensures a natural water circulation to provide required moisture to our eyes. The blockage results in watery or sticky eyes as due to this blockage the water comes out from eye instead of making its natural way through the tear duct.

In most cases, it develops or opens up within few weeks but in some cases it may take up to 6 to 8 months or even one year. One year is the maximum time for it to settle down, if condition persists beyond first birthday then you must consult your doctor. In very rare cases, the opening is possible only after a minor surgery. Please wait to see and if this continues beyond one year, then consult your doctor to evaluate if your baby needs a surgery.

You don’t need to use any medication. Keep the eye clean by using clean cotton gauze. Ensure your own hands are clean before cleaning your baby’s eyes. You can use boiled normal temperature water to clean the eye. Do it gently and don’t use loose cotton balls as the small pieces may shed inside the eye which can cause damage.

You can massage to help expedite the opening. The massage is suggested 3 to 4 times a day. Put your index finger on the side top area of nose along with eye and move it in clockwise direction for 40 to 60 seconds. The duct opens up naturally anyways in few weeks.

Avoid using any medicine or chemical in your baby’s eyes. Few mothers specially in South Asian region put Surma/Kajol in babies’ eyes. Kindly avoid that as it further blocks the opening.