Newborn facts: Eyelids

Many babies awake with their eyelids stuck together and thick mucus accumulating in the inner corner of the eyes. This is seldom cause for concern. For the first two to three months of life, clean your baby's eyelids regularly, if crusty, by dipping cotton-wool balls in boiled, cooled water and wiping from the inner corner towards the outer corner of the eye. Use one cotton-wool ball for the upper lid and a fresh one for the lower lid of each eye to prevent infection.

From three months use a separate face flannel for your baby's face and eyes, but it is no longer necessary to pay special attention to the eyes unless there is chronic blockage of the tear ducts.

By Sister Lilian

Newborn facts: Nose


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