Newborn Question

Tiffandmart09

So DS is 2 weeks old and he has been fussy all day and hasnt slept all day but maybe an hour. His left eye is watery and has like a yellowish-greenish eye boogers coming out. He hasnt really been eating the 3 ounces he usually eats. Any ideas on what this could be? I am gonna call the dr tomorrow but any help would be great. Someone suggested that it could be a clogged tear duct and to rub the eyes with warm water.

Spanishbeauty

I read on a blog that another mom had a similar problem and was told to spray breast milk into her child's eye. I don't know if it worked, but I assume it's worth a try.

mcgee

It could be a cold too. Alex often gets goopy eyes when he has a cold. Definitely check in with the doctor since DS is so little. In the meantime, a warm washcloth can be used to gently wipe his eye. If he's not eating well - you said 3 ounces so I assume formula? - it could be that he is congested and has trouble breathing while eating. You can try giving him a bottle more frequently to try to make sure that he doesn't lose too much weight.

Taytee

Conjunctivitis. Viral will go away on it's own - Bacterial will get better with ointment or drops from the doc. Either way "warm compress" helps, as much as you can keep a warm wet object on a baby for long. Do not rub. Just gently keep the goop to a minimum (dry goop is harder to get off and can scratch the eye or skinn) Also keep in mind that it's contagious to others and also your baby's other eye. So at bathtime, clean the normal eye first then the green eye or use a separate washcloth altogether.

texansarah

Spanishbeauty:

I read on a blog that another mom had a similar problem and was told to spray breast milk into her child's eye. I don't know if it worked, but I assume it's worth a try.

One of the moms that I nannied for told me that she did this and it worked for her daughter. 

carlinlp

If it is conjunctivitis, breast milk is a known cure for it (and WAY cheaper than expensive drops).  We've done it before multiple times and it worked like a charm.  If it is a clogged duct, a warm wash cloth and time will help.  Clogged tear ducts are very common in newborns.  I hope your little one is feeling better very soon!

Emer

DD had a clogged tear duct at that age and we used a warm wash cloth and eventually had to use meds.  Definitely check with the pedi tomorrow, but I think it's pretty common.