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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.