It is common for babies to wake up with yellow discharge around the eyes or have persistent tearing of one or both eyes. Most likely their tear duct is blocked. Most babies have this problem at one time or another and with most babies it resolves within one year with little intervention. Remember, your baby is small and so are his tear ducts. Because they are small, the ducts easily become blocked. If there is no redness or swelling around the eye, it is unlikely that the eye is infected. When in doubt, bring in your child for a visit. To treat a blocked tear duct, gently massage between the affected eye and nose for several minutes, three to four times a day. Applying a warm towel, while you massage, may also help. If the problem is still present at one year of life, we may need to send your child to an eye doctor (but not any sooner).

Revised 3.22.09