A very common reason is a blocked tear duct, called nasolacrimal duct obstruction or NLDO. In about 5 to 20 percent of newborns, a thin membrane at the lower end of the tear duct does not open fully at birth. Tears then cannot drain properly from the eye into the nose.

Because drainage is slow, tears overflow onto the cheek and mucus collects near the inner corner of the eye. This can dry into sticky crusts on the lashes. The eye itself may look wet all the time even when the baby is not crying.

The usual pattern is constant watering, also called epiphora, with yellow-white mucus near the inner corner. Eyelids may look crusty after sleep, especially in the morning. The baby often looks comfortable despite the mess.

It usually affects one eye, though both eyes can be involved. Most babies with a simple blocked duct are otherwise well. They do not look feverish, do not seem sick, and are not especially distressed by the discharge.

A blocked tear duct usually causes a watery eye with intermittent mucus, but the white part of the eye is not truly red. Between wipes, the eyelid skin often looks fairly normal. The main problem is overflow tears and sticky discharge.

Conjunctivitis is different. The eye itself becomes red, the discharge may be thicker like pus, the eyelid can swell, and the baby may look irritated. If you see that pattern, your pediatrician should assess the baby rather than assuming it is only a blocked duct.

Seek same-day medical review if the eye is red, not just sticky. Other red flags are eyelid swelling, fever, marked fussiness, light sensitivity, or a baby repeatedly touching the eye as if it hurts.

Spreading redness around the eye is another concern because skin infection can develop around the eyelids. In those situations, see a pediatrician or pediatric ophthalmologist the same day. For fever context, see Baby Fever in Indian Infants: When to Worry, Paracetamol Dosing, and ER Signs.

Wash your hands first. Use a clean finger and place it gently at the inner corner of the baby's eye, over the tear sac area beside the nose. Then press gently downward toward the side of the nose in one smooth stroke.

Do 5 to 10 downward strokes, 4 to 6 times a day. This is called Crigler massage. The aim is to build pressure in the tear sac and help the thin membrane open. With time and massage, around 70 percent improve by 6 months and about 96 percent by 12 months.

Use clean cotton wool or sterile gauze with water that was boiled and then cooled. Wipe gently from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner. Use one wipe per cotton ball so you are not dragging discharge back across the eyelid.

If both eyes need cleaning, use separate cotton for each eye. Do not scrub. After wiping, gently pat the area dry. Safe daily care like this also fits well with routines in Newborn Bath in India: When to Start, Safe Technique, Frequency and the Oil Massage (Malish) Tradition.

Most blocked tear ducts open on their own with time. Improvement often happens gradually, so the eye may look better for a few days and then sticky again after sleep or a mild cold. That waxing and waning pattern is common.

About 70 percent resolve by 6 months and around 96 percent by 12 months, especially when families do regular Crigler massage. A small number persist beyond the first year and may need a pediatric ophthalmology procedure.

Do not put breast milk into the eye. There is no good evidence that it clears a blocked duct, and it can increase infection risk. Honey must never be used in babies under 12 months because of botulism risk.

Avoid turmeric paste, kajal, surma, and harsh rubbing. Never share eye drops between eyes unless a doctor specifically advised it. Kohl and surma are not protective and can expose babies to infection or lead contamination.

If the duct is still blocked after 12 months, a pediatric ophthalmologist may recommend probing. This is a brief day-care procedure, often around 5 minutes, where a fine instrument opens the blocked duct. Success rates are usually above 90 percent.

More extensive surgery is rarely needed. Dacryocystorhinostomy, or DCR, is generally reserved for older children when simpler treatment does not work or the anatomy is more complex.

In India, a pediatric ophthalmology consultation at centres such as Apollo, Sankara Nethralaya, or Aravind Eye Hospital often falls around Rs 500 to Rs 2000. Private probing procedures commonly cost about Rs 3000 to Rs 10000, depending on city and hospital.

Some government eye hospitals and larger public centres can provide lower-cost or free care. Families may also find screening or referral through Sankara Nethralaya outreach, Aravind outreach networks, or tertiary centres such as AIIMS.