baby squinting

[happygilmore]

Just wondered if anyone had any experience of this. Baby is 7 weeks old and noticed she's squinting sometimes (both eyes). Seems to be once a day or once every couple of days.

Reason I'm a bit concerned is I had a squint that had to be corrected, and I'm sure I've heard it can run in families.

Hi, my ds had this and my sister had had a squint corrected so like you I was concerned and I took him to specialist when he was about 6mths old, she said it is quite common in babies under a year as their eyes are still developing and it usually resolves of its own acccord. She said that one way to tell if there is a possible true squint is to take a photo face on of the baby and see whether the dots of light (there is usually a spot of reflected light) are in the same place on both eyes if that makes sense. If they are not in the same place then there may be cause for concern. So that may be worth checking with your dd. If you're concerned though always worth asking for a referral as it takes months for it to come through!

I don't think you need to worry too much at 7 weeks and I doubt a GP would refer you this early tbh. My DD1 was referred at 10 months for a slight squint and i think DD2 has one too but because she is only 5 months they want to wait and see if it corrects itself. I guess as they both have it, it probably does have some kind of genetic/hereditary element......although neither DH or I have had a squint.

It's quite normal for babies to squint, it normally corrects itself.

It is normal in the early days, it does often correct. DS was seen at 6 months with his squint, he seemed to grow out of it but it has returned. Even if it doesn't go away, surgery is not the only option, they do patch squints and glasses also.

Would be worth mentioning at the doctors or HV if you are there anyway.

thanks for your messages, glad to know it might easily correct itself. I did have the glasses and patches etc when I was a child but ended up having the op, I guess this is why I'm so paranoid!

I would keep an eye on the situation. My dd still wasn't controlling her eyes at 12 weeks so was under the hospital.

It doesn't always correct itself. I would start the process now but visiting your GP or maybe ask the optician next time you are out.

I also had the op at 6 and really don't want my children to have it. My eldest 2 wear glasses for school work now.