And in the vast majority of cases, one ordinary morning, you’ll wipe that eye clean… and it will stay clean. The duct has opened, the tears will now flow where they belong, and you can put this chapter behind you.
Find the inner corner of the affected eye, right where the upper and lower eyelids meet near the nose. You’re looking for a small, bony ridge (the side of the nose). Just inside that ridge, near the eye, is the tear sac .
You lean in to kiss your baby’s forehead and notice something unusual. One eye is glistening with tears, even though your newborn isn’t crying. The next morning, that same eye is crusted with yellow or greenish discharge, sealed shut like a tiny treasure chest.
The Moment You Notice a Waterfall
In about 6-20% of babies, that duct has a thin, residual membrane at the bottom (near the nose) that hasn’t opened yet. This is called —or, simply, a clogged tear duct.
Many parents notice the eye is suddenly dry and clear. One day, you’ll realize you haven’t wiped crust off in a week.
Think of it like gently squeezing a water balloon from the top—pressure travels down and clears the nozzle.
Do this motion 5 to 10 times in a row, once or twice per day (e.g., at the morning diaper change and the evening bath).