Essential Newborn Care: Managing Sticky Eyes Safely at Home
Doctor explains how to manage your newborn's sticky eye at home with safe lid hygiene techniques and when to consult a doctor, using NHS guidelines. Learn simple steps to ensure your baby's eye health.
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Topic Breakdown
In this blog post, we're diving into an essential aspect of newborn care that many parents encounter: managing a sticky eye. If you're a new parent, this issue can seem quite daunting, but rest assured, it's a common occurrence and often resolves on its own. Today, we'll walk you through how to correctly and safely perform lid hygiene for your newborn at home and discuss when it might be necessary to consult a doctor, using guidelines from the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK.
From my own experience, I understand how unsettling it can be to see your baby with a sticky eye for the first time. However, it's crucial to know that this is a frequent issue among newborns as their tear ducts are still developing. You might notice a sticky white or yellow discharge at the corner of one or both eyes, which can cause the eyelashes to clump together. This condition is usually due to a narrow or blocked tear duct, which typically opens up and starts functioning normally within the first few months of life. In fact, 90% of children will see this issue resolve naturally by the age of one as their facial structure grows and the duct enlarges.
So, what should you do at home if your baby has developed a sticky eye? There are two primary steps to follow: cleaning the pus away and performing a tear duct massage.
First, to clean the pus away, you'll need a damp piece of cotton wool. Use clean, cooled, boiled water and wipe each eye from the corner by the nose outwards. It's vital to use a fresh piece of cotton wool for each wipe to avoid cross-contamination. While the cotton wool should be wet, ensure you drain off any excess water before starting, so it doesn’t run down your baby's face and cause irritation. Always wash your hands before and after the process. It might also be helpful to do this after your baby has been fed, as they are likely to be more calm and settled.
The second step is to perform a tear duct massage. Using a clean finger, apply gentle pressure on the outside of the nose near the corner of the eye, rubbing downwards three to five times. You can do this twice a day if needed. Be sure to be gentle to avoid causing any discomfort or harm to your baby.
If the tear duct remains blocked and continues to cause a sticky eye by about 12 months of age, it's advisable to see a doctor. Your doctor may then refer your baby to an eye specialist for further evaluation. I've also made a more detailed video on this topic, which is available on my channel, so be sure to check that out if you think it will be beneficial for you.
Knowing when to seek medical attention is crucial. While the above steps often help manage the issue at home, there are instances where professional medical advice is necessary. The NHS provides two helpful tables that outline when you should seek medical attention if your child has a sticky eye. These tables include important indicators such as the presence of redness, swelling, or if your baby seems to be in pain. Reviewing these guidelines can help you make an informed decision about when to consult a healthcare provider.
As always, I've included additional information in the information section of the video, so please take the time to review this if you're interested. If you have any concerns or questions specific to your child's situation, don't hesitate to consult your healthcare provider, who will be more than happy to assist you.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope you found the information useful and reassuring. If you found this content helpful and want to stay updated with more tips and advice, consider booking a consultation to scale your medical brand on YouTube or sponsor our videos with your products. Your support helps us continue to provide valuable content to parents and caregivers just like you.
Until next time, take care and stay informed.
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