Question

What should I do if my four-month-old baby has an increase in eye discharge when they wake up in the morning?

Answer

  1. It is normal for a baby to have eye discharge in the morning when they are 2-3 months old, possibly due to inwardly growing eyelashes that irritate the eyes. This condition usually resolves naturally around the age of 1 and can be managed by gently wiping with a warm towel or using a cotton swab dipped in a 2% boric acid solution.
  2. If the baby has a grayish-white substance on their eyes at birth, known as “vernix caseosa,” it can be absorbed naturally without wiping. Excessive eye discharge may also be caused by internal heat.
  3. Internal heat can be due to excessive consumption of high-calorie foods, lack of fruits and vegetables, and can be improved by changing dietary habits, drinking more water, and taking traditional Chinese medicine if necessary.