Infants may need eye drops when an eye infection is present. Drops may be difficult to place in an infant's eye, and it is helpful to have two people present. It is critical to give the infant the eye drops as prescribed so any infection is cleared up.
Step 1
Warm up the medication by rolling the bottle between your hands. Allow it to sit out for a few minutes if refrigerated.
Step 2
Swaddle the baby in the blanket. Wrap the baby gently and talk reassuringly using a soothing, calm voice.
Step 3
Check the eyes for any drainage. Wipe the eye from the inner to the outer lid using a soft tissue or cotton ball that is moistened with warm water. When treating both eyes, use a different tissue or cotton ball for each eye to avoid spreading the infection.
Step 4
Sit down on the floor and place the infant parallel with your legs, on the ground. If the baby is not swaddled, place one of the baby's arms under each leg, using just enough pressure to keep the baby's hands away from her face.
Step 5
Pull the lower eyelid down and drop medication into the eye. Do not drop medication directly on the eyeball, rather place the drops in the inside of the lower eyelid.
Step 6
Apply the medication to the inner corner of the eye if the infant is not opening his eyes. Once the eyes are opening, the medication should roll onto the eye. Make sure the medication does not roll down the cheek or face; wipe it away if necessary.
Things You'll Need
- Baby Blanket
- Cotton balls or tissue
- Warm water
