#CLAIM 1:
Persistent watering from one eye in babies is commonly caused by a blocked tear duct (nasolacrimal duct) and is usually harmless. Regular Crigler massage can help open the duct, and most cases resolve on their own within the first year of life without the need for medical intervention.
FACT 1:
True. One-sided watery eyes in babies are commonly caused by a blocked tear duct (nasolacrimal duct obstruction), a temporary condition seen in many newborns that often resolves on its own. Studies show that gentle lacrimal sac (Crigler) massage significantly improves recovery, and experts recommend it as the first-line treatment during the first year of life, while advising prompt medical evaluation if warning signs of infection, such as redness, fever, or thick discharge, appear.
#CLAIM 2:
Stretching or hanging a baby’s neck while putting them to sleep does not make the neck grow longer. This practice is a myth and can be unsafe, as babies lack proper neck control in the early months and require adequate head and neck support.
FACT 2:
True. Stretching or hanging a baby’s neck does not make it grow longer and has no scientific basis. Experts warn that this practice can be dangerous, as infants lack proper neck control in the early months, and improper handling can lead to muscle injury or serious complications.
In a viral reel posted by Dr Imran Patel, a paediatrician with over 11.6 million followers on Instagram, the doctor is seen addressing two common concerns raised by parents - persistent watering from one eye in babies and the belief that stretching or hanging a baby’s neck while putting them to sleep can make the neck “grow longer”.
In the reel, Dr Imran is seen holding a 4.5-month-old baby who has been brought to the clinic by his mother. As the interaction begins, he asks, “Yes madam, tell me, what happened?” To this, the mother replies, “Water is coming out of the eyes, and dirt gets stuck in the eyes.” When Dr Imran asks if the problem is in one eye, she confirms, “Yes, in one eye.”
Pointing towards the infant, whom he refers to affectionately as “our hero”, Dr Imran explains that the baby appears healthy and that the eyes look normal. He then demonstrates the reason behind the watery eye, saying, “What happens is that the nasolacrimal duct, tear duct as we call it, is blocked here. Water is produced in the eye so that it does not get dry. It normally flows to the back of the nose. But because this duct is blocked, water comes out from one eye.”
Reassuring parents, he adds, “There is nothing to worry about. Even if it comes for one year, do not worry.” He further explains that regular Crigler massage can help open the blocked duct. “Keep massaging regularly like this… with love, with ease. The child should not have any trouble. This helps the duct open very easily,” he says.
The conversation then shifts to another common household belief. The mother mentions that family members advise her to put the baby to sleep while stretching the neck or letting the head hang slightly so that the child’s neck grows longer. Responding to this, Dr Imran calls it a myth. “For the first three months, the child does not have neck control. Always support the baby’s head,” he says, adding, “This is an illusion that the neck will become longer by hanging like this.” He advises that the baby’s head and shoulders should be kept in one straight line and supported properly during sleep.
The reel has garnered over 1.5 million views, 47,600 likes, and more than 6,100 shares, triggering widespread discussion among parents about infant eye problems and traditional childcare practices.
What is a blocked tear duct in babies?
A blocked tear duct, medically known as nasolacrimal duct obstruction, is a common condition in newborns and infants. Studies suggest that around 10 per cent of babies are born with at least one blocked tear duct, and in some cases, both eyes may be affected. The condition occurs when the pathway that normally drains tears from the eye into the nose does not open fully at birth.
The most common reason for this blockage is a thin membrane at the lower end of the tear duct that fails to open naturally. As a result, tears are unable to drain properly and instead overflow onto the eyelid and cheek. In some babies, the blockage may also be caused by a narrow tear duct, absence of the normal duct opening in the eyelid, abnormal development of the drainage system, infection, or structural issues such as a misaligned bone blocking the passage into the nasal cavity. Respiratory infections or colds can further worsen symptoms by increasing nasal congestion and inflammation.
Symptoms of a blocked tear duct usually appear within the first few days or weeks after birth. Parents may notice constant watering from one or both eyes, mildly swollen or sticky eyelids, and yellow-green discharge collecting at the corners of the eye. Unlike eye infections such as conjunctivitis, the white part of the eye typically remains clear and not red. The discharge often consists of trapped tears mixed with normal bacteria present on the eyelids.
Because tears help flush away bacteria, blockage of the drainage system allows bacteria to accumulate, which may increase the risk of infection. Parents are advised to watch for warning signs such as increasing redness of the eye, worsening swelling, thick pus-like discharge, or signs of discomfort, and seek medical evaluation if these occur.
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In most newborns, blocked tear ducts are present from birth and resolve naturally as the membrane opens on its own over time. While the condition cannot always be prevented, maintaining a clean environment, avoiding exposure to cigarette smoke, and reducing irritants such as dry air can help minimise irritation and prevent symptom worsening.
Is it normal, or does it need treatment?
Medical research shows that blocked tear ducts in infants are usually a temporary condition and often resolve on their own, especially when conservative treatment such as lacrimal sac massage is used. A 2016 clinical study examined the rate of improvement in infants with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction (CNLDO) who were treated without surgery during their first year of life. The researchers followed 31 infants (36 affected eyes) who were diagnosed before the age of three months and compared outcomes between those who received regular lacrimal sac massage and those who did not.
The study found that 91.6 per cent of affected eyes improved with conservative management alone. Among these cases, 42.5 per cent resolved between four and six months of age, while over 97 per cent recovered by the end of the first year. Importantly, babies whose parents performed regular massage showed better and faster recovery. “CNLDO was resolved in 96.2 per cent of eyes in the massage group, compared to 77.7 per cent in the non-massage group,” the authors reported.
They also noted that the average age of recovery was significantly earlier in the massage group, about 6.8 months, compared to 10.3 months in those who did not receive massage. Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that “conservative management of CNLDO is highly successful” and that educating parents about proper massage technique can reduce the need for unnecessary surgical procedures.
Similar results were reported in a larger 2023 hospital-based study conducted over five years in eastern Asia. This study followed infants diagnosed with CNLDO who were treated using regular lacrimal sac massage and monitored monthly. The researchers found that 86.75 per cent of infants recovered completely within three months of continuous massage, while about 70 per cent showed improvement by six months of age. Only 12.31 per cent required probing after one year, and a very small number eventually needed surgical intervention. The authors concluded that “conservative management should be the first line of treatment till 12 months of age in CNLDO,” adding that earlier presentation was associated with better outcomes and fewer complications.
Medical literature also consistently recognises Crigler massage as a standard first-line approach before invasive procedures are considered. According to clinical guidelines, “unless there is a mucocele or acute infection such as dacryocystitis, CNLDO is managed conservatively in children for the first 12 months of life,” either through observation or lacrimal sac massage using the Crigler technique.
What experts recommend
Dr Jagdish Kathwate, Consultant Neonatologist and Paediatrician at Motherhood Hospital, Kharadi, Pune, explained that tear production in babies does not begin immediately at birth and develops gradually in the early weeks of life. He said newborns typically start producing visible tears only after a few weeks.
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“Babies do not produce tears at birth. Usually, tear secretion starts after about six weeks,” Dr Kathwate said. He explained that tears drain from the eye into the nose through a small passage called the nasolacrimal duct, which connects the lacrimal gland to the inner part of the nasal cavity.
“In some infants, this duct can remain blocked, which leads to watering of the eyes. This is quite common and is usually a normal finding in early infancy,” he said. According to Dr Kathwate, gentle circular massage over the tear duct area helps relieve the blockage. “Regular massage over the lacrimal duct helps the passage open up naturally and, in most cases, the problem resolves on its own,” he added.
However, he cautioned parents to watch out for warning signs that may indicate infection. “If there is redness around the corner of the eye along with fever, if the baby becomes very irritable, cries persistently due to pain, or if there is continuous yellow or green discharge causing the eyelids to stick together, these are red flag symptoms,” Dr Kathwate said.
Can stretching a baby’s neck make it grow longer?
Dr Kathwate warned that stretching or hanging a baby’s neck is not only ineffective but can also be dangerous. He explained that infants typically develop neck control only after about three to four months of age, and even this can vary from baby to baby.
“Babies usually start holding their neck properly after three and a half months, and in some cases it can take even longer,” Dr Kathwate said. He added that attempting to hang or stretch a baby’s neck before this developmental stage can lead to serious injury.
“When a baby is held in such a position, it can cause severe problems. There is a risk of bleeding inside the brain or even bleeding in the eyes,” he said. According to Dr Kathwate, improper handling can also result in muscle strain and neck injuries, which may cause pain and persistent crying in infants.
He emphasised that the belief that such practices can increase neck length has no scientific basis. “This will not make the neck longer. The length and structure of body parts depend on genetics and nutrition, not on stretching or hanging,” he said.
Dr Kathwate cautioned parents against following unsafe traditional practices. “These methods are not recommended and can be harmful, especially for babies younger than three to four months,” he added.
This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS.