2 Part Health Question

Hi K.,
My daughter was born with a blocked tear duct. But it wasn't noticeable until she was 3 months and it finally cleared up when she was 10 months. I was also informed about the surgery but I asked the Peditrician what I could do to avoid it. The peditrician told me to massage the interior part of her eye in a circular motion to help open up the blockage. (When I say the interior part of her eye - I'm referring to the part that is right in between her eye and nose). I would massage it for about 15 seconds twice a day almost everyday. As she got older - of course I would only get away with doing it once. I also would put a warm wet cloth over the area - it's supposed to help clear the blockage too.
My daugher would take a small nap and would wake up with her eye shut and with the slimmy stuff all over it - so we'd clean it with warm water and cotton or gauze.
I highly recommend the about tips. They worked for me and my daughter is fine now. It does get better. Try to avoid the surgery.
Good luck!

my daughter had an blocked tear duct from 2 months on, she was given drops and ointment. We also had to constantly keep wiping it clean, we went through lots of saline and cotton balls. Morning cleanings were the most bothersome for her, because mucus would crust sealing her eye shut. It gradually went away I can't even recall her age, but it did take at least a couple of months. Good luck.

as the previous person said, Hand, foot and mouth is my thought on the 20 months old, on the baby, did you try breast milk on it? My sister did that with her son and it worked great. If not I would just go with the local. It wont hurt him, just you (its hard to watch our babies suffer). It would be short, and save him and you the hassle going forward.

your 20-month old could have "Hand foot and mouth" virus - which is highly contagious! Has she had a sore throat, fever or reduced appetite? If so, she should see doctor to check on HF&M - no treatment for it but if that's the problem, need to isolate as much as possible from other kids and do thorough cleaning of toys, etc. . . you especially need to make sure your 3 mo old doesn't get it!

The first one, hand foot mouth disease?

The second, my daughter had a clogged tear duct until about 6mos old. Our Ped. recommended breastmilk, I squirted it in her eye just about every feeding. It cleared up. Don't do the surgery. This is very common and in most cases clears up!

M.