Is it normal for a newborn to cry with tears?

We all often say "tearful eyes". A tearful eye always makes a person look more pitiful, making people want to protect him. And we all know that babies love to cry the most. Whether they are wronged, hurt or frightened, they always use tears to express their dissatisfaction. But we all know that newborn babies actually don’t have tears. So is it normal for newborn babies to have tears when they cry? Let’s take a look at it together below!

[1] The normal structure of human tear ducts : There are two lacrimal puncta on the eyelids next to the eyes. The purpose of the lacrimal puncta is to absorb tears. Further back are two round tubes, called lacrimal canaliculi, which are responsible for draining tears. The junction of the two lacrimal canaliculi is called the common lacrimal duct. Further forward is something like a small ball, called the lacrimal sac, where a large amount of tears can accumulate. Further down is the nasolacrimal duct. The baby's tears normally flow through the lacrimal puncta, lacrimal canaliculi, common lacrimal duct, lacrimal sac, and nasolacrimal duct to the nasal cavity or the oral cavity, so when we say a lot of snot and tears, this is what it means. That is to say, when the baby cries or is excited, tears and snot flow out. If any of these parts is blocked, it is tear duct blockage. At this time, the baby's tears cannot be discharged normally and will flow down the cheeks, or often remain in the eyelash sacs of the eyes. This is what we usually call a tearful baby.

【2】Why does the tear duct become blocked?

During the embryonic period, there is a layer of membrane at the location of the nasolacrimal duct. The membranous tissue exists before the baby is born. After the baby is born, this membrane will naturally rupture due to the pressure of the birth canal. Some babies have congenital problems, for example, this membrane is very thick, thicker than that of normal babies. Or the tear duct may be narrowed at the nasal duct. In addition, some babies have an infection in the uterus when their mother is pregnant, and there is inflammation in the tear duct. Due to the stimulation of inflammation, the tear duct and lacrimal canaliculus of the baby may be narrowed. These reasons may cause tear duct obstruction. At this time, when the baby has tears, the tears cannot pass through the lacrimal drainage system and cannot be discharged into the nasal cavity or oral cavity normally, so the baby is prone to tearing diseases. Clinically it is called congenital tear duct obstruction.

【3】How to identify tear duct obstruction?

It is very common for babies to shed tears. When babies are just born, their tear glands are not fully developed, so the baby has no tears when crying. When the baby is about one year old, the tear glands begin to develop fully, so the baby will have tears when crying. It is normal for babies to shed tears when they cry. Parents sometimes find that their babies have tears even when they are not crying, or their eyes are watery. We call such babies tearful babies. Parents should be alert in this case, as the baby is likely to suffer from a tear duct disease. Some babies have tears in one eye but not in the other, which is even more abnormal. In this case, parents should take their baby to the hospital for a check-up to see what causes the baby's tears, because there are many diseases that can cause babies to shed tears, such as trachoma, conjunctivitis, trichiasis, and corneal foreign bodies, including clear eyes.

[4] What harm will tear duct obstruction cause to the baby's eyes or other aspects?

If the tear duct is simply blocked, the baby will shed tears. The baby will shed tears when he cries and also when he is not crying. If the baby's tear duct is blocked and a secondary infection occurs, parents will find that there are often a lot of purulent secretions in the baby's eyes. These purulent secretions will often be inside the baby's eyelids. When the baby wakes up in the morning, parents will find a lot of eye mucus and the baby can't even open his eyes. At this time, the baby is actually suffering from a disease called infantile dacryocystitis, which is secondary to congenital tear duct obstruction. If not treated in time, acute infection may occur and the baby's eyes will suffer from acute dacryocystitis, which is a very dangerous disease. Not only will there be tears, but also a large amount of bloody and purulent secretions. At the same time, the baby will also have local redness, swelling and tenderness in the lacrimal sac, and even a small purple raised bag in the lacrimal sac.