Most young babies will have eye discharge in the early weeks. This is caused by plugged tear ducts. These ducts drain the tears from the inner corners of the eyes into the nose. These get clogged in some babies, and mucus drains back out into the eyes.
You can help this resolve by rubbing the inner corners of the eyes while pushing inward toward the nose for a few seconds several times each day. Then put a few drops of breastmilk in the eyes. You do NOT need to call the office for this harmless and common situation unless the whites of the eyes are also very red. And don’t worry if you skipped the newborn eye ointment. You don’t need to call us to check in about this – simply let the doctor know at your next visit and he will discuss it further with you.
