Keep massaging, keep wiping, and take a picture of the gummy eye for the baby book. In a few weeks or months, when the tears flow where they should, you’ll be grateful you took the time to clear the way. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician before starting any home treatment for your infant.
Clean cotton balls or gauze, warm water, and a calm baby (try doing this during a diaper change or right before a feeding when they are relaxed). massaging blocked tear duct
Place the pad of your index finger (or your pinky for better control) at the inner corner of your baby’s eye, right beside the bridge of the nose. You should feel a slight bony ridge—the sac sits just below that. Keep massaging, keep wiping, and take a picture
Press your finger gently but firmly against that spot. You aren’t poking the eyeball; you are pressing the tissue against the bone. Always consult your pediatrician before starting any home
The gummy eye. It’s a phrase that strikes fear into the heart of new parents. You wake up, lean over the crib to greet your sleeping angel, and find one eye crusted shut with yellow-green discharge. Before you panic about pink eye or an infection, take a deep breath. Chances are, your baby is dealing with a very common condition: a blocked tear duct (nasolacrimal duct obstruction).
Massage (known medically as Crigler massage ) uses gentle pressure to create hydraulic force, popping that stubborn valve open and flushing the duct clean. Before you begin, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Trim your fingernails to avoid scratching the delicate eye area.