Newborn gunk in eyes is very common. Eye discharge in babies is caused by blocked tear ducts, mild conjunctivitis (pink eye), leftover birth fluid, or irritation from things like soap or dust. These problems cause tears and mucus to build up rather than drain, so the eye appears watery, sticky, or crusty. You can gently clean the baby’s eyes with warm water and, if needed, massage the inner corners of their eyes. Learn how to tell normal newborn eye gunk from signs that mean your baby needs a doctor’s visit.
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What Is Newborn Gunk In eyes?
Newborn gunk in eyes refers to the sticky, crusty, or watery discharge that often accumulates in a baby’s eyes, especially upon waking. This discharge can vary in color and consistency, ranging from clear and watery to yellow or greenish and thick. 1
Is Eye Gunk Normal In Newborns?
It’s normal for newborns to have some eye discharge, often called “eye gunk.” This is common and usually nothing to worry about.
What Causes Gunk In Baby’s Eyes?
​One of the most frequent causes of newborn gunk in eyes is a blocked tear duct. This condition typically occurs because the tear ducts, which drain tears from the eye into the nasal area, are not fully developed at birth. This blockage can cause watery eyes and a thin layer of discharge that may accumulate in the inside corner of the eye.
A blocked tear duct is one of the main reasons babies get eye gunk. Tear ducts help drain tears from the eyes to the nose, but in newborns, they may not be fully developed. This can lead to watery eyes and a thin discharge that collects in the inner corner of the eye.
Common Causes
- Blocked Tear Duct (congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction): This occurs in about 1 in 5 newborn babies. Since the tear duct is not fully developed, tears do not drain properly. This can cause tears to pool, leading to sticky, clear, or white discharge, especially after your baby sleeps. Because the tear duct drains into the nasal passage, you may also notice your baby sounds congested without visible mucus alongside the eye discharge.2
- Neonatal Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): This is when the tissue lining your baby’s eyelid becomes inflamed. It can be caused by bacteria, viral infection, or even a reaction to the eye drops given at birth. Signs include yellow or green discharge, redness, and swollen or crusty eyelids.3
- Sleep & Debris: It’s normal for mucus to build up and harden into “sleep” in your baby’s eyes overnight. Sometimes, minor irritation from wiping their eyes with unwashed hands can also cause this. If your baby is also rubbing their eyes frequently, this can introduce bacteria and worsen discharge.
- Allergies: Things like dust, pet dander, or strong soaps can make your baby’s eyes water and create a mild, stringy discharge.
- Chemical Conjunctivitis: Sometimes, newborns get this type of eye irritation from the antibiotic drops or ointments given right after birth to prevent infection. It usually causes mild redness and swollen eyelids, typically resolving within 24 to 36 hours without treatment.
- Foreign Objects: If dirt or an eyelash gets stuck in your baby’s eye, the eye may produce pus to help wash it out.
Does Breast Milk Help Baby Goopy Eyes?
While some studies suggest breast milk can be as effective as standard antibiotic drops for clearing mild, non-infectious, sticky eye discharge (common with blocked tear ducts) in infants under 6 months, it is not a proven, safe cure for all eye issues. Consult a pediatrician to rule out bacterial infections, as breast milk can sometimes introduce new bacteria and worsen infections, notes the American Academy of Ophthalmology. 4
Should You Wipe Discharge In Newborn Eyes?
Most of the time, this clears up by itself. If your baby has mild discharge without redness or thick pus, you can usually take care of it at home. Use a clean cotton ball or soft cloth dampened with lukewarm water to gently wipe the corner of your baby’s eye.
How Do You Treat Goopy Eyes In Infants?
Doctors recommend a conservative approach for babies under 6 months. You can gently massage the lacrimal sac several times a day and use prescribed topical antibiotics only if there are signs of infection.
Neonatal conjunctivitis has several causes, including bacteria, viruses, and chemical irritation. Reviews show that bacterial conjunctivitis in infants usually responds well to topical antibiotic therapy. Many protocols use erythromycin ointment or chloramphenicol drops for 5 to 7 days, and oral antibiotics are added if Chlamydia or more severe infection is suspected.5
Standard guidelines also advise rinsing the eye with saline to remove discharge and using warm or cool compresses for comfort.
1- Clean the eye safely
Use a clean cotton ball or soft cloth dipped in lukewarm water or saline solution to gently clean discharge from the eye area.
Gently wipe from the corner near the nose outward, using a fresh pad for each wipe and each eye.
2- Use warm compresses for comfort
Place a clean cloth soaked in warm (not hot) water on the closed eye as a warm compress for a few minutes to soften crusts, then wipe away the discharge.
This helps both blocked tear ducts and mild eye irritation, and it can also ease swelling.
3- Massage a blocked tear duct
Blocked tear ducts cause watery, sticky eyes in up to about 1 in 5 babies and often clear on their own by the time the child is around 1 year old, but persistent blockage may need medical intervention.
After your doctor or nurse shows you how, use gentle massage with a clean finger between the baby’s eye and nasal area several times a day to help open the duct and keep it draining, as recommended by a doctor.
If the duct has not cleared by age 1, see a doctor, who may recommend nasolacrimal duct probing.
4- Use prescription drops if there is true infection
Newborn conjunctivitis is often infectious; guidelines recommend taking a swab and using saline alone while waiting for results in a well baby, then to treat conjunctivitis caused by bacteria with antibiotic drops or ointment once infection is confirmed, while viral conjunctivitis is usually managed supportively rather than with antibiotics.
Never use leftover or over-the-counter eye drops without a doctor’s advice.
When To Worry About Newborn Eye Gunk?
Mild discharge in newborns is usually normal. However, parents should look out for other symptoms like swollen eyelids, sticky or yellow discharge, thick yellow-green discharge, redness in the whites of the eyes, or eyes that stay watery. These signs could mean an eye infection or conjunctivitis from bacteria or viruses.
- If you notice a firm lump near the inner corner of your baby’s eye, it could be a sign of an infected tear sac.
- If a blocked tear duct does not clear by the time the baby is 1 year old, parents should see a doctor, as it may require surgical intervention.
- If you see any of these signs, take your child to an eye doctor or pediatrician right away, especially if they also have a fever or seem very tired. Quick treatment, like antibiotic eye drops or ointment, can help prevent problems and keep your child’s vision safe.
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Conclusion
Newborn gunk in eyes is a common issue that often resolves with simple home care, such as gentle cleaning and warm compresses. Most cases are due to blocked tear ducts, which typically improve as the baby’s tear drainage system matures. However, it is important to monitor for symptoms persist or signs of further irritation, such as redness, swelling, or thick yellow-green discharge, which may indicate an infection requiring medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Would One Of My Newborn’s Eyes Be Gunky?
One gunky eye in a newborn often has slightly different causes than when both eyes are affected.
Sometimes a small bit of dried mucus or tears collects in one eye if that eyelid did not open as wide or was rubbed more. A mild blocked tear duct can also affect just one side, so that eye looks watery and sticky while the other looks clear. In some babies, a mild irritation from dust, dry air, or a tiny scratch on the surface of the eye can make one eye produce more discharge than the other. If one eye is experiencing eye discharge along with increasing redness or swelling, it should be checked by a doctor.
How do you clean newborn eye discharge?
Use clean, cooled boiled water and a clean cotton ball, soft cloth, or damp washcloth to gently wipe each eye from the corner by the nose outwards. Use a clean piece of cotton wool for each wipe, and wash your hands frequently before and after cleaning.
How often should I clean my newborn gunky eye?
It may help if you massage the tear duct every few hours with a clean finger using gentle pressure on the outside of the nose, near the corner of the eye. If massage does not help, the duct still seems blocked close to age 1, or symptoms worsen, seek medical attention. Contagious conjunctivitis is more common in older children than in newborns, and allergic conjunctivitis is usually tied to allergens rather than a blocked tear duct.