Think of it like gently squeezing a water balloon from the top—pressure travels down and clears the nozzle.
In about 6-20% of babies, that duct has a thin, residual membrane at the bottom (near the nose) that hasn’t opened yet. This is called —or, simply, a clogged tear duct. clogged tear duct newborn massage
Here is everything you need to know about performing a safe, effective newborn tear duct massage. Newborns have tear ducts that are incredibly narrow—like tiny drinking straws. Tears are produced in the lacrimal gland above the eye and normally drain through small holes (puncta) in the inner corner of the eyelids, down a duct, and out into the nose. Think of it like gently squeezing a water
If the blockage persists beyond 1 year, an ophthalmologist can perform a —a 2-minute procedure where a thin, blunt wire is passed through the duct to open the membrane. It sounds scarier than it is; babies often don’t even need sedation. A Reassuring Final Note Every crusty morning, every unexpected tear rolling down a laughing baby’s cheek—these are not signs of a serious problem. They are simply nature taking its time. Here is everything you need to know about
Before you panic about an eye infection, take a deep breath. There is a 90% chance your baby simply has a —a common, harmless condition that affects nearly 1 in 5 newborns. And in most cases, the most effective treatment is not a medicine, but your own fingertips.
The crusting may reduce, but the eye might still water.