You don’t need any special equipment. Just wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water. Keep your fingernails short and smooth. Have a few clean, soft cotton balls or gauze pads nearby.
This sticky, teary phase is temporary. One morning, you’ll wipe away a crusty eye and realize—the goop didn’t come back. You’ll notice a clear, bright eye looking back at you, tear-free. And you’ll know that your gentle, consistent touch helped open the door.
Until then, keep your hands clean, your touch confident, and your heart patient. You’ve got this. Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician before beginning any home treatment for your infant’s medical condition. how to massage infant tear duct
Place your index finger (or your pinky for better precision) at the inner corner of your baby’s eye, right next to the bridge of their nose. You are looking for the medial canthus —the small bump where the upper and lower eyelids meet.
In many newborns, the very bottom of that “drainpipe” is still sealed by a thin, residual membrane that didn’t fully open before birth. The tears have nowhere to go, so they back up, pool in the eye, and eventually turn into the goopy discharge you are wiping away. You don’t need any special equipment
Lay your baby on their back—on a changing table, a bed, or your lap. A calm baby is a cooperative baby. Try this during a diaper change or after a feeding when they are relaxed. If they are flailing and crying, take a break.
If this sounds familiar, your baby may have a blocked tear duct (medically known as nasolacrimal duct obstruction ). Before you panic, take a deep breath. This is incredibly common, affecting up to 20% of newborns. And in most cases, the solution is quite literally in your hands. Have a few clean, soft cotton balls or gauze pads nearby
There is nothing quite as disarming as looking into your newborn’s eyes. They are vast, curious, and clear. But sometimes, those beautiful eyes tell a different story—one written in crusty yellow discharge, persistent tears that spill down the cheek, or sticky lashes glued together after a nap.