Eye Cleaning for Newborns

What is the best way to clean a newborn baby’s eyes? The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) advises using cooled boiled water, especially if there is a sticky eye problem. Other websites seem not to mention specific care for the eyes or recommend using the same bathwater as used for the rest of the baby’s body.

Option for cleaning a newborn baby’s eyes. Bathwater might contain bubble bath that could lead to eye irritation. Also, if your baby is already sitting in the bath when you use the water to clean the eyes, the water would not be completely clean and you could risk introducing infection.

Reducing infection risk
Bathe your baby’s eyes either before or after a bath. Prepare a small bowl of boiled water and let it cool to body temperature, then wash your hands thoroughly under the tap. Dip a piece of cotton wool in the bowl, squeeze it, and then gently wipe your baby’s eye from the nose outwards. If your baby’s eye is sticky, repeat this until the eye is clean using a new piece of cotton wool for each wipe.

Repeat on the other side, again with a fresh piece of cotton wool which will avoid transferring any infection from the first eye or your baby‘s face.

Drying
Gently pat your baby‘s face dry with a soft towel.

For More information please visit : www.childrenfirst.nhs.uk