Be consistent, be gentle, and be patient. One morning, you’ll wake up, and those eyes will be bright, clear, and dry. And you can stop playing eye doctor.

Don’t Panic at the Goop: How to Treat a Blocked Tear Duct at Home

First, take a deep breath. This is not an eye infection (though it can look like one). It is not usually painful for the baby. And in 90% of cases, it resolves on its own by the time the baby turns one.

However, there is one simple, gentle technique that can help clear the blockage faster and keep your baby comfortable: What is actually happening? Tears normally drain from the eye down a tiny tube (the nasolacrimal duct) into the nose. In newborns, the bottom of that tube sometimes has a thin membrane that hasn't opened yet. Think of it like a tiny straw with a cap on the end.

While maintaining that gentle pressure, roll or sweep your finger straight down the side of the nose toward the nostril.