Cleaning a newborn’s eyes is simple: use a damp cotton ball or soft washcloth, wipe gently from the inner corner to the outer corner, and use a fresh cotton ball for each eye. Most new parents encounter some crustiness or sticky discharge in those first weeks, and regular gentle cleaning is all that’s needed to keep things comfortable.
What You’ll Need
Either cotton balls or a clean, soft washcloth works well. Cotton balls are convenient because you can grab a fresh one for each wipe and toss it. A washcloth is fine too, as long as you use a different clean section for each wipe. Whichever you choose, dampen it with warm (not hot) water. You don’t need saline, soap, or any special solution.
Step-by-Step Cleaning
Wash your hands thoroughly before you start. Newborns are prone to eye infections, and clean hands are the single most important step in preventing them.
Dampen your cotton ball or washcloth with warm water and gently wipe from the inner corner of one eye (near the nose) outward toward the ear. Use light pressure. If there’s dried-on crust, hold the damp cotton ball against it for a few seconds to soften it before wiping. One pass is usually enough, but if not, grab a fresh cotton ball and repeat.
Now switch to a new cotton ball or a clean section of the washcloth and do the same on the other eye. This is critical: always use a separate piece of material for each eye. If one eye has an infection, reusing the same cotton ball can spread bacteria to the other eye. Wipe each eye only once per cotton ball, always moving from the inside out.
Why Newborns Get Sticky Eyes
A little white or pale cream-colored crust in the corners of your baby’s eyes after sleep is completely normal. It’s the same kind of discharge adults get overnight, just more noticeable on a tiny face.
If one or both eyes seem consistently watery or produce a thicker whitish-yellow discharge, the most likely cause is a blocked tear duct. About 1 in 9 newborns have this. The tear drainage channel between the eye and the nose hasn’t fully opened yet, so tears pool and the eye gets sticky. It looks concerning, but for most babies it resolves on its own within the first several months of life. The rate of spontaneous clearing is highest in those early months and tapers off around 9 months of age. About 75% of affected babies never need any intervention beyond home care.
Tear Duct Massage Technique
If your baby has a blocked tear duct, gentle massage can help the duct open faster. Place the tip of your index finger on the side of your baby’s nose, right where the upper and lower eyelids meet near the inner corner of the eye. Apply moderate to firm pressure and slide your finger downward about 1 to 2 centimeters along the nose, keeping that pressure steady the whole way. Repeat this five times per session, twice a day.
You’re essentially pushing fluid down through the duct to help it open. Make sure your fingernails are short and your hands are freshly washed. Many parents find it easiest to do this during diaper changes or feeding times when the baby is already settled.
Normal Discharge vs. Signs of Infection
Normal newborn eye discharge is white or pale cream, small in amount, and usually just shows up after sleep. It doesn’t bother the baby, and the whites of the eyes look clear.
An infection looks different. Watch for these changes:
- Color shift: discharge that turns dark yellow, green, or looks like thick pus
- Redness: the whites of the eyes turn pink or red
- Swelling: the eyelids become puffy, red, or tender to the touch
- Volume: large amounts of discharge that return quickly after cleaning
- Timing: symptoms appearing within the first few days to weeks after birth
Pink eye (conjunctivitis) in newborns can be caused by bacteria picked up during delivery, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, both of which produce significant pus and eyelid swelling. Mild redness with slight swelling in the first day or two can also be a temporary reaction to antibiotic eye drops given at birth, which typically clears on its own.
Any newborn showing pink eye symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor promptly. Newborn conjunctivitis is treated differently than in older children and adults, and some bacterial causes can damage the eye if left untreated.
How Often to Clean
For a baby with clear, healthy eyes, a quick wipe during the daily bath or morning routine is plenty. If your baby has a blocked tear duct or produces more discharge, you may need to clean the eyes two to three times a day, or whenever buildup accumulates. The goal is simply to keep the area comfortable and prevent dried discharge from sealing the eyelids shut, which can happen overnight.
If you notice that one eye consistently produces more discharge than the other, that’s typical of a blocked tear duct on that side. Keep cleaning it gently, continue the massage technique, and it will most likely resolve within the first year.