Why Does My Baby Always Have Tears Streaming Down?

When caring for a baby, parents must be careful, as it is common for babies to frequently tear up. In general, this is often due to congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction, which parents should take seriously.

1. Why does my baby always have tears?

The frequent tearing in a baby's eyes is commonly caused by congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. This condition occurs when the opening of the tear duct inside the nose fails to open naturally at birth and is instead blocked by a thin membrane, preventing tears from naturally flowing into the nose. Symptoms may include tearing, excessive eye discharge, and pus-like secretions when the lacrimal sac is pressed. The tear duct is a delicate canal connecting the eye to the nose. If the duct is obstructed, tear drainage is impeded, leading to tearing and dacryocystitis. Neonatal dacryocystitis is often a congenital condition that manifests as tearing and increased secretions soon after birth. Treatment may include irrigating and probing the tear duct.

2. How to massage a baby's eyes when they tear up?

2.1 Pressing the lacrimal sac

If there is pus-like discharge from the baby's eyes, it may be due to a blocked nasolacrimal duct. Parents can use their fingers to gently press the lacrimal sac and help drain any pus or discharge from the eyes and nasal area. This can help cleanse the area and relieve the baby's tearing symptoms. After massaging, parents should wipe away any remaining discharge and administer eye drops as prescribed.

2.2 Pressing the nasal root

By pressing the nasal root with their fingers, parents can help open the blocked membrane in the nasolacrimal duct, relieving the baby's condition. If the discharge is severe, it is necessary to drain a large amount of pus from the eyes to prevent any adverse effects on the eyes. If the discharge cannot be drained, surgical treatment may be required.

2.3 Combining massage with eye drops

Parents can take their baby to the hospital to obtain special eye drops prescribed for babies. Following the doctor's instructions, eye drops or ointment can be administered regularly to improve the baby's condition. Frequent tearing in babies may also be a sign of eye inflammation, so timely medical examination and treatment are recommended.