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Blocked Tear Duct in Babies
From yellow discharge to eye infections, blocked tear ducts cause discomfort to babies and worry to parents. Tears cannot drain properly when the duct is blocked, and the duct ends up swelling or getting infected. Keep reading to learn more about blocked tear duct in babies.
What is a Blocked Tear Duct?
A blocked tear duct is a condition when the tear duct (where tears drain through a small tube in the eyes) gets blocked or doesn't open up properly. Blocked tear ducts usually reveal themselves during the first two weeks after the baby is born, when the baby starts getting "watery" eyes. A yellow or white discharge often accompanies them, and sometimes this discharge ends up sealing the eyelids shut too.
How Common is it in Babies?
Almost 6 out of 100 newborns are affected by blocked tear ducts after birth. They may occur during the baby's birth year and may not cause any eye problems when they first appear as well.
Causes of Blocked Tear Duct
The common causes of a blocked tear duct in infants are-
When the tissue at the end of the tear duct is not able to open up
Eye infections
When the nasal bone grows abnormally, thus putting pressure on the tear duct and sealing it off
Partial or underdeveloped openings near the corners of the eyes where the tears drain out
Signs and Symptoms of Baby Blocked Tear Duct
Symptoms of a blocked tear duct usually appear during the first few days to weeks after being born.
Yellow or white discharge from the corners of the eyes
Redness and swelling of the eyes
"Watery" eyes
Tears streaming down the cheek
Epiphora (excessive tearing)
Tenderness or a bump near the side of the nose
Swollen blue bump near the inside corner of the eyes (also known as dacryocystocele)
Eye infections accompanied by fever, mucus or pus in the eyes
Diagnosis and Tests
Most blocked tear duct conditions in babies resolve naturally with time. However, sometimes a little bit of testing and diagnosis never hurts to cross-check if it spurs from underlying causes. The following three tests are used for diagnosing a blocked tear duct -
Tear Drainage Test- A special dye is applied to your child's eyes to check whether or not tears drain correctly. If the duct has anything that is blocking its path, then the dye remains on the eye's surface even after 5 minutes pass.
X-Ray Exam - An X-ray or CT scan of the dacryocystogram (tear duct area) is done to check for blocked tear ducts. It is followed up with an MRI to image the location of the blockage and identify its causes.
Medical Evaluation - Your doctor may evaluate your medical history to ascertain whether tear duct blockages run in the family. A physical examination and an ophthalmic examination are done to check for other plausible reasons for blockage.
How to Treat a Blocked Tear Duct in Your Child?
Blocked tear ducts usually open up on their own. Meanwhile, here are 6 treatments you can try to help them open up and get those tears draining-
1. Surgical Probing - Surgical probing is a procedure done at the hospital to manually open up the tear ducts through surgery. It's done on an outpatient basis, and your ophthalmologist will recommend it if your baby has a severe infection and must be admitted to the hospital. The procedure lasts for about 10 minutes.
2. Silicone Tube Intubation - Silicon tubes are inserted into tear ducts to stretch and open them up. The tubes are kept in place for 6 months and surgically removed afterwards.
3. Balloon Catheter Dilation (DCP) - A balloon is placed into the tear duct by insertion through the corner of the eyes and inflated using a sterile solution to expand the tear duct openings. It is afterwards deflated and removed from the eyes.
4. Antibiotic Eye Drops - If an infection spreads, your baby's paediatrician may prescribe your little one some antibiotic eye drops or eye ointment. These drops or ointments aid in clearing up infections and eliminate harmful bacteria from blocked tear ducts.
5. Chinese Medicine - Chinese medicines are useful and effective for treating conjunctivitis or "pink eye" conditions. Herbs like Ju Hua also treat allergy-related tear duct conditions.
6. Aloe - Use a little amount of aloe from the inside of an aloe leaf and rub that gently on both the eyelids to reduce swelling and redness.
Home Remedies for Baby's Blocked Tear Duct
Home remedies work just as well as surgical treatment. Try these before you consider surgical procedures for your little one-
1. Breast Milk - Apply a few drops of breast milk to treat blocked tear ducts in your little one's eyes and watch them recover gradually.
2. Tear Duct Massage - Ask your doctor to demonstrate how to do a massage to help your baby's blocked tear duct and be gentle. Basically, you apply gentle pressure between the tear ducts along the upper nose area to aid in clearing up the ducts. This can be done up to two times a day, every day.
3. Warm Compress - Take a soft, clean washcloth and dip it in warm water. Gently wipe the insides of the duct and work your way outward so that particles don't enter the eye. If both your baby's ducts are blocked, you must use another clean washcloth or a cotton ball to repeat the process.
Prevention
Prevention is better than cure. Here are some ways you can prevent your baby's tear duct from facing blockage in the first place-
Wash your hands- Before and after cleaning their eyes, make sure to wash your hands and maintain hygiene.
Massage regularly - You don't need to massage your baby's tear ducts only when there's a blocked tear duct. By massaging from the start, you'll prevent those tear ducts from clogging beforehand.
Environmental Factors - Reduce exposure to sunlight, cold, and wind for your infant to prevent tear duct blockage.
Wipe Their Eyes - Use small cotton balls or a clean cloth to wipe away any excess drainage from your baby's eyes regularly, especially the outer parts.
A blocked tear duct is nothing serious or extreme to worry about. It happens to many babies and the above remedies will certainly come in handy. Try these out and watch them heal soon!
Also Read: Remedies for Pink Eyes in Babies Read more
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Gifting Ideas for Newborn Babies
Are you confused about what gift to give to a newborn baby in your family? You can gift clothes, toys, baby gear, baby nursery essentials, jewellery, baby bags, etc. anything that will be useful for the baby and the parents. Here are some ideas on what to gift the little bundle of joy.
1. Clothes
Depending upon whether it is a boy or a girl you can choose the clothing items accordingly. Most of us prefer pink-coloured clothes for girls and blue-coloured for boys. You will get sets of clothes in the store for gifting purposes, or you can order them on the Firstcry app. You can also gift sets of mittens, booties, baby caps, and little baby shoes. Gift the clothes depending on the season; if its summer you can gift light clothes, and if its winter you can gift them warm clothes like jackets, sweaters, etc.
2. Jewellery
You can gift a gold or platinum chain, baby rings, small anklets or bangles. If you cannot make up your mind, you can simply gift a silver or a gold coin.
3. Baby Gear
Baby gear items that can be gifted include carrycot, baby car seat, cradle, rockers, baby carrier, walkers, etc. Carrycots and baby carriers will be very helpful for the parents to carry their babies wherever they go.
4. Baby Skincare Items
You can get a set of baby skincare items anywhere for gifting purposes in the brand you like. These sets include a baby moisturising lotion, baby soap and shampoo, baby talcum powder, etc.
5. Toys
You can gift baby rattles, soft toys, musical toys or play gyms and playmats.
6. Nursery
You can gift nursery essentials like bedding sets, quilts, baby blankets, sleeping bags, mosquito nets, storage, baby cribs, baby cots, and baby neck supporters. You can also gift diaper bags for the mother to keep all the baby essentials to use while travelling.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions and positions (including content in any form) expressed within this post are those of the author alone. The accuracy, completeness and validity of any statements made within this article are not guaranteed. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions or representations. The responsibility for intellectual property rights of this content rests with the author and any liability with regards to infringement of intellectual property rights remains with him/her. Read more
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5 Colourful Food Ideas to Boost Toddler's Colour Skills
If you thought crayons could only grab your toddler’s attention, you’re wrong. Food in different colors will have the same effect if you introduce different colored foods in manageable portions. When food is visually appealing, it'll appeal to your little one.
Colourful food in different shapes will have your toddler hooked. Unfortunately, most parents tend to plate food in boring, uninteresting ways. Listed below are some fun ideas to ensure your toddler identifies colours and shapes at an early age.
5 Colourful and Kid-friendly Food Ideas
1. Blazing Red and Orange
If you want to really make your toddler’s plate pop, red and orange should be your choice. They are among the brightest colours in the spectrum. Carrots, pumpkin and squash will introduce your toddler to the colour orange while tomatoes and watermelon can introduce him to red. Starting off with some of the bright coloured food toddlers eat, will ensure that your toddler enjoys his meal.
2. Fruitsicle Fun
If you want to expose your toddler to a host of bright, vibrant colors, make a fruitsicle. Puree some colourful fruits like melons, bananas, peaches etc, and add fresh juice to the mix and freeze them. Your little one will love the colours and taste of the frozen fruitsicles. While sucking on them, you can teach him to identify the various colours. The activity will be fun, colourful and tasty.
3. Green
Your toddler needs his daily intake of leafy, green vegetables. Introduce him to green vegetables like cucumber, basil, broccoli, and spinach. Not only will these colourful and kid friendly food ideas add colour to the plate, but they will also ensure your little one gets a nutrient boost. Your toddler stands to get his daily fix of vitamins A, C and E.
4. Tropical Bonanza
If you really want your toddler to enjoy his meal while exposing him to colours, make a fruit salad. For this to be a colourful tropical success, add as many fruits as you can. From mango, orange, grapefruit and grapes – the end product should be a burst of colour. This is a great way for your toddler to learn about the primary colours and identify colours by picking the fruit associated with it. Plus, these are some of the coloured food toddlers eat with joy.
5. Shapes
Food colouring for a 17-months-old-child is not as hard as it seems. You can always choose differently shaped cookie cutter to shape fruits. The end result- various fruits in different shapes and colours. Not only will this exercise help your toddler identify different colours, but he'll also be able to identify fruits.
Find innovative ways to make food interesting for your little one. Not only will food time become fun time, you'll not have to deal with tantrums. You could always teach your little one colours and shapes in the process. It will also give you time to bond with your kid. Read more
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Gifting ideas for newborn babies and toddlers Making it easy for everone
1. Clothes
An ideal gift for a new born baby are clothes. Gift them soft cotton or muslin clothes which are good for sensetive skin.
2. Toys
Toys are the best gift for babies to keep them engaged soft toys, rattles, teether, musical toys, play gym
3. High chair
Help in feeding baby recommended only after the baby is 6month old and have a control over his head.
4. Play mat
A good play mat allows the baby to explore to new things on it own
5. Jewellery
Gifting a jewellery is always an asset. Who doesn't love Jewellery obviously everyone does
So it's been a ideal gift since decades
6. Sofa seat
A sofa seat is ideal for baby above 6 months who can control over his head.
7.bath and body care
A baby required good quality baby care products both bath as well as body so one can gift baby bath, soap, powder, shampoo, oil combo. The best in the market are sebamed, Cetaphil and Himalayas .
8. Swaddle
Swaddle are the must and the best gift for a baby
9. walker
Walker are a perfect gift for baby above 6-7 months. musical walkers are the best allowed baby to explore and have fun at the same time
10. Gift voucher
When you don't understand what to gift to a baby. The best you can give them are the gift voucher so that one can get what ever they require which is just the perfect give for them
11. Diaper
Gifting diapers are the best gift one can give because diapers are expensive also every parent required lots and lots of diaper right from the day a baby is born to 3 years of age. So gifting diapers are an ideal gift. Best diapers are pampers and one can get cloth diaper from the brand supperbottoms which are reusable Read more
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POOJA KOTHARI has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
12 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert
can we give hard bath to 5 months old baby
POOJA KOTHARI
Mom of a 7 yr 1 m old boy
11 mins ago
A. Wash your baby's hair once or twice a week.
While you support your baby in the bath, gently splash water onto their head and wipe their head with a clean washcloth. Use shampoo only when your baby has more hair, oily-looking hair or is more active.
POOJA KOTHARI has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 3 months
12 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert
why do we get back pain??????
POOJA KOTHARI
Mom of a 7 yr 1 m old boy
11 mins ago
A. A common cause of back pain is injury to a muscle or ligament. These strains and sprains can occur for many reasons, including improper lifting, poor posture and lack of regular exercise. Being overweight may increase the risk of back strains and sprains.
Manali K Mehta has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 3 months
11 mins ago
Q. why do we get back pain pregnancy
Manali K Mehta
Mom of 2 children
New Answer
A. hi parent
it is normal
please take supplements
please include natural probiotics and dairy products in your daily diet
please take daily sun light exposure
please maintain hygiene properly with Babyhug multipurpose cleaner
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
11 mins ago
Q. can we give hard bath to 5 months old baby where they cry entire bath
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
10 mins ago
A. What is a hard bath I’m not much aware about it but if you see head bath you can give it to the child use a baby bather which is a bath bed that you can use for your child make your child lie down on that and give a bath your child would enjoy and give some toys into the hands like a musical rattle and all
Rashmi has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due this month
4 mins ago
Q. #asktheexpert hello .. we have two persian cats as pet in our house and most of the time they stay in our bedroom the only problem is their hairs shed so i wanted to ask is it safe to keep pets with us for newborn. I m going to deliver this month can you please suggest what should we do.
Read moreRashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
2 mins ago
A. Initially it would not be because these hair kit can easily swallow and it can create problem to your child even if the cats and pets are vaccinated they should not be kept very close to the child from the day itself from the time of birth but still I know parents have their emotions associated with their pets also do you take a discussion with your gynaecologist on that
Manali K Mehta has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
1 min ago
Q. I am 9 week pregnant and I am feeling very low energy so can I drink ORS ?
Manali K Mehta
Mom of 2 children
New Answer
A. hi parent
I suggest you please consult with your gynecologist because physical examination is important for proper diagnosis and treatment
please maintain hygiene properly with Babyhug multipurpose cleaner
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- Infant0 to 6 Months
- Baby6 Months to 2 Yrs
- Toddler2 to 4 yrs
- Kids4-6 yrs
- Big Kids6+ yrs
- Expecting
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