lack of tears in five month old

[shelbel]

This may sound a bit odd but my five month old ds doesn't really seem to produce tears. He had a sticky eye at birth which rectified itself after a few weeks. If he cries a lot eg over-tired then there may be the odd tear but generally if he cries there isn't. I haven't really been concerned before but i went swimming the other week and he cried all the way through the session and the nursery nurse who looked after the babies suggested he had a temper and was just angry because there were no tears. He has plenty of nappies so i've no reason to think he's dehydrated. Has anyone any suggestions?

I can't remember my dd having many tears at that age - they mainly kicked in after about 7 months - so I wouldn't worry too much.

ds didn't cry tears until about 3m, dd cried real tears from about 3 days. ds didn't dribble either until about 3m, whereas dd dribbled constantly from about 3 days. It can take time for the tear-producing glands and the salivary glands to develop fully. Once he starts crying tears then a lack of tears does indicated dehydration, but until then as long as he has plenty of wet nappies and his lips aren't crinkly or dry then he isn't dehydrated.

It's perfectly normal, not to worry.

My friend's dd does not cry tears either - she is 5. she has periodic appointments with an opthamologist and is prescribed artificial tears if her eyes get a bit dry (in an airconditioned room for example), but apparently it's not that unusual and doesn;t really affect her at all.

Cou be useful when she's a teenager and doesn't want to appear 'soft' by crying at a weepy movie!

Hi my 6 month old has never had any tears also i have been worrying about it has your little one had any since you posted? Thanks