Sticky Eye in Babies: Causes & How to Clean | Parenting Hub
Sticky eye in newborns is usually a blocked tear duct and clears by 12 months. Learn how to clean it gently and when to see a GP.
Yellow or sticky discharge in the corner of baby's eye is usually a blocked tear duct — common, harmless and usually clears by the first birthday.
What it looks like
Sticky eye is yellow or white discharge that pools in the inner corner of one or both eyes, often crusting the lashes overnight. The white of the eye stays white and baby is otherwise well.
Around 1 in 5 newborns has a blocked tear duct — the tiny channel that drains tears into the nose isn't quite open yet. Tears build up, mix with normal bacteria, and the eye looks sticky.
How to clean it
Gentle, frequent cleaning is all most babies need.
- Wash your hands
- Use cooled boiled water and a fresh cotton ball for each eye
- Wipe from the inner corner outwards, once per cotton ball
- Repeat 2–4 times a day or whenever it looks crusty
Tear-duct massage
Some maternal child health nurses suggest a very gentle massage at the side of baby's nose, just below the inner corner of the eye — a soft downward stroke 2–3 times a day. Only do this if your nurse or GP has shown you how.
When it usually clears
Most blocked tear ducts open on their own by 12 months. If it hasn't cleared by baby's first birthday, your GP may refer to an eye specialist for a simple procedure.
When to see a doctor
See your GP if the white of the eye is red, the eyelid is swollen, baby is rubbing the eye a lot, or discharge is green and heavy — these can suggest conjunctivitis or infection rather than a simple blocked duct.
When to seek urgent care
Red, swollen eyelid with fever, or any eye redness in a baby under 4 weeks, needs same-day medical assessment — newborn eye infections can be serious.
When to seek help
- Red or swollen eyelid
- Any eye redness in a baby under 4 weeks
- Green, heavy discharge with fever
- Baby unwell, off feeds or rubbing eye in pain
Common questions
Can I use breastmilk?
Some parents use a drop of breastmilk on a clean cotton ball — it's gentle and contains immune factors. Cooled boiled water works just as well.
Do I need antibiotic drops?
Most blocked tear ducts don't need antibiotics. Drops are only needed if your GP diagnoses a true infection.