Newborn babies are routinely given eyedrops shortly after birth to prevent eye damage from possible infection. The drops usually contain an antibiotic, and they are meant to protect the baby from bacteria or viruses in the mother's birth canal. Eyedrops may also be needed for very small babies who develop conjunctivitis, or pinkeye, due to a cold, allergen or blocked tear duct.
Eyedrops for Newborns
When a baby is born, most U.S. states require using eyedrops as part of the checkup and cleaning procedures done in hospitals and birthing centers. According to MedlinePlus, some hospitals use silver nitrate while most use drops or ointment containing the antibiotic erythromycin. Infections in the mother such as gonorrhea and chlamydia are potentially dangerous for babies' eyes because the mother may not know she has the STD and the pathogens can be present in the birth canal. Gonorrhea and chlamydia in a baby's eyes can cause permanent damage or blindness.
Silver nitrate can be irritating and painful for some babies' eyes, causing redness and discharge for several days after birth. Erythromycin is less irritating, but Health Services at Columbia points out that it can make the baby's vision blurry. For this reason, some parents may opt to delay giving the drops for up to an hour after birth so the baby can see their faces and begin the bonding process.
Giving a Newborn Eyedrops
A newborn baby may develop conjunctivitis after coming home. Symptoms of conjunctivitis include redness in the whites of the eyes, and a sticky or crusty yellow discharge. In some cases, the conjunctivitis is caused by the eyedrops given at birth while other times it is the result of a pathogen, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Eye infections are potentially serious for new babies, so they should be examined by a doctor immediately.
If the doctor prescribes eyedrops, the BabyCenter recommends placing the drops in the inside corner of the baby's eye. Wash your hands first, and administer the drops when the baby's eyes are open or closed. The drops will flow across the eyeball when the baby blinks.
Alternatives to Eyedrops
According to Dr. William Sears, a newborn baby with an apparent eye infection may have a blocked tear duct. Drops may be prescribed if infection is present, but the blockage may also be treated with gentle massage, regular cleaning of the eye and breast milk. If your baby has a blocked tear duct, keep the affected eye clean of crust and discharge by wiping it regularly with a soft, wet cloth. Massage the duct several times a day. Tear ducts are located on the lower lid of the inside corner of the eye. Massage often helps release the blockage. You can also express a few drops of breast milk onto your finger and drop them onto the inside corner of the baby's eye. Dr. Sears points out that breast milk has antibiotic constituents, and it can help soothe the irritated eye.
