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Original poster

3 month old baby with severe conjunctivitis - HELP!

25 replies

Saminsachs · 19/11/2018 20:21

My 3 month old baby woke up this morning with conjunctivitis and it has got progressively worse throughout the day to the point where his right eye was so red and swollen and covered with yellow goo that he couldn't open it and he's been screaming all day. His left eye is also bad, but not as extreme as his left.

I took him to the doctors this afternoon and he was given some eye drops, but he hates me going anywhere near his eyes - and I obviously have to clean them first and then put in the eye drops. I've just been in to check on him and his eyes are absolutely awful - dripping with yellow goo - when he wakes up for his feed, I'm going to have to clean his eyes first, then give him the drops and he's going to scream his head off!

Any tips? Any magic remedies, or advice? He's also got a blocked up nose - so pretty convinced it's a viral infection, which his sister has had for the past couple of weeks and also been given eye drops and a nose spray for.

Thanks!

OP posts:

Bigonesmallone3 · 19/11/2018 20:22

If u breastfeed I was told to drip breast milk in baby's eye 🤷‍♀️

dontticklethetoad · 19/11/2018 20:23

If you are breastfeeding, squeeze some breast milk into his eyes and wipe with cotton wool soaked with breast milk.

dontticklethetoad · 19/11/2018 20:26

All three of mine have had conjunctivitis as babies and treated it with breast milk. It cleared up within hours.
I even used it on myself when I had raging conjunctivitis 2 days before I was due to be a bridesmaid. Worked a treat

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Sausagefingers9 · 19/11/2018 20:28

Another person coming to say breastmilk, sorry. It really is magic stuff.

Scoleah · 19/11/2018 20:29

My DS2 has had an awful cold all last week which He then had conjunctivitis on top of.
It looked like little Blisters on His eyeballs, so quick visit to Opticians , they gave us antibiotic Gel.
My Son has also been Crying, throwing his head back, pushing me away from him.
So I've settled with cleaning his eyes, then with his Eyes Shut (because he won't let me open them) , rubbed it along his Lash Line as close into his eyes as I can.
His eyes seemed to clear up by the next day and now it's gone!
Goodluck OP, hope you LO gets better soon!

Sausagefingers9 · 19/11/2018 20:31

If you are not breastfeeding though then it’s not mgch use saying that.
You need to be vigilant about using cool, boiled water and a little bit of natural salt to keep his eyes clean. Make sure you only swipe with cotton pad once each go and use a fresh pad on each eye.

Original poster

Saminsachs · 19/11/2018 20:37

Thanks everyone - yes, I breastfeed him and have tried using some breastmilk, but to be honest, I find it a little difficult to get it in or even near to his eye - I don't express, so guess I just have to aim it and drip it into his eye?!

I don't generally 'leak' much milk - so would have to wait until he's feeding and then try to get some in there?

It's the actual getting the eyes open bit which I'm finding tricky - it's like glue. I'm using warm water and cotton pads, but his eyes are obviously very sore as when I try to go near them, he screams so much.

I just feel so sorry for him :(

OP posts:

Sausagefingers9 · 19/11/2018 20:42

If you can express a bit out in to a clean, sterilised cup that would work. You don’t need tons. I used to swaddle my son in a towel and drip a bit on to inside bit of his eye, you know near the tear duct and just gently open his eye so the milk could flow in to it. It will gradually get better, won’t always be so hard.
for you. It’s awful when your baby is ill.

LordPickle · 19/11/2018 20:52

Breastmilk 100%

My DS had terrible conjunctivitis when he was that age and I waited until he was feeding and pulled him off and squirted loads into his eyes (he hated it and cried) but the next day his eyes were completely clear. It seriously works.

LordPickle · 19/11/2018 20:53

Also it doesn't matter if his eyes are open. Just squirt a bunch on them and it'll get in.

Pebblespony · 19/11/2018 20:55

Don't bother dripping. Put it on a cotton pad and wipe gently across the eye.

Original poster

Saminsachs · 19/11/2018 21:22

Ok - I'll persevere with the breastmilk! Thanks everyone!

OP posts:

IamChipmunk · 19/11/2018 21:49

I used to squeeze a bit of milk out onto a clean cotton pad, use a new one for each eye.
You dont need to express it as such, then wipe over each eye getting right into the corner. Do it every time you feed.
Should clear quickly

Mamabear12 · 19/11/2018 21:51

His eye can be closed when wiping the breast milk over the lid.

Original poster

Saminsachs · 20/11/2018 01:31

Great - now I've woken up with it! My whole right eye is swollen shut and I feel like I've been punched in the face :'( Breastmilk I guess?!

OP posts:

SleepWarrior · 20/11/2018 01:43

Oh no, you poor thing! Yep, breastmilk it up! Hope it gets better soon. Is your baby any better yet?

gotmybigbootson · 20/11/2018 02:10

Honestly, ds had four bad eye infections and each one cleared up with breast milk. Dh got it and it worked on him too!

Soiree · 20/11/2018 02:49

My baby had conjunctivitis at a couple of days old, the drops worked within 24 hours so I hope you find the same. I fannied around with breast milk but I don't think it did a lot, just keep going though it'll get there!

Original poster

Saminsachs · 20/11/2018 07:49

My right eye is the size of a golfball this morning - had to clean it out twice in the night and now I feel awful. Oh dear :( Breastmilk in my eye I guess!

OP posts:

Original poster

Saminsachs · 20/11/2018 07:52

Whoops - posted that twice - sorry, sleep-deprived new mother! Well, my baby eyes are huge and red and swollen and the left one is just about as bad as the right one now, but there's less 'gloop' (sorry!) - he hasn't had his eyes open all morning though.

Should be a fun day :(

OP posts:

Rosesared · 20/11/2018 22:23

Joining the breastmilk choir!!!
Swaddle baby tight, and shoot. Try to do it while baby's having a nap. I've used bm for gunky eyes. It's fantastic, free and natural!

redspottydress · 20/11/2018 22:29

Hope you are both on the mend, but if not you need to be aware that a rare complication could be orbital cellulitis. There's an nhs page on it so you can checking it is something you need to consider.

3boysandabump · 20/11/2018 22:32

My ds had it and I had been trying bm but it didn't work. He was given penicillin for w cheat infection and that has cleared it up

3boysandabump · 20/11/2018 22:32

Chest infection

HoppingPavlova · 20/11/2018 22:48

Personally I would go with something that has some scientific basis, like Chlorsig (chloramphenicol). The drops are iffy though as they just wash out of the eye. Use the ointment version as it stays in the eye for a prolonged period and does the job.

Getting it in is easy. Wrap baby or toddler tightly in a wrap/towel/sheet (whatever size for age) like a cocoon so arms are immobilised, legs are not free to kick and only head is sticking out. Ignore crying. Clean eyes using saline and one cotton ball per eye with only one per wipe so you may need more than one per eye if guncky. Pull lower lid down and out and pop ointment in. Close lids. Release baby/toddler/kid. Did it plenty with my own when they were young and more times than I can count with other kids in a healthcare setting. They grow out of it but at some points it seems they go from one endless bout to another.

The other key is to use gloves, don’t contaminate yourself or area as you work and dispose of everything properly as it’s infectious as hell (unless allergy based). Not really effective in the home though as they rub their eyes and then rub it all over the house surfaces so it is hard not to pick up ,

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