How long does it take for a newborn to shed tears?

For many people, crying is a very simple thing in daily life. Many times, when their emotions are out of control, they will cry. However, for some newborns, crying is a more difficult thing. Because the nervous systems of many newborns are not yet fully developed, they do not know how to express their emotions or how to shed tears. So it is normal for newborns to shed tears. How long does it usually take for them to start crying?

1. How long does it take for a newborn to cry?

Newborns will not have tears within two weeks after birth. You can only hear the baby crying, but no tears. Of course, sometimes there are individual differences. Some babies may start crying later, and some may not shed tears until 3 months later. If you see your child crying within 2 weeks, you should take him to see a doctor.

The mother should wash her hands every day, then place her hands on the inner corner of the child's affected eye, and then use the thumb to massage the lacrimal sac area from top to bottom with moderate force. Massage 2-4 times a day, which can promote the opening of the tear duct. The effect will be better if you use eye drops prescribed by your doctor.

2. Why do newborns shed tears?

Seeing a doctor is the first priority to rule out the possibility of neonatal dacryocystitis. For some children, the lower end of the nasolacrimal duct is blocked by a congenital thin film when they are just born, or the tear duct is blocked by epithelial debris. As a result, the normally secreted tears cannot be discharged through the tear duct, and the tears have to flow down the cheeks, resulting in constant tearing.

For most newborns, this very thin membrane is intact when they are born. After 3-4 weeks, it will rupture on its own, the tear duct will be unobstructed, the phenomenon of excessive tearing will improve, and tears can be discharged normally through the tear duct. However, if this thin film does not break and still blocks the exit of the nasolacrimal duct, tears will continue to accumulate in the duct lumen, irritating the mucous membrane of the duct wall and causing inflammation, thus forming dacryocystitis.

If the doctor finds that the child has no eye problems, then you should pay attention to the safety of the living environment. For example, whether the house has just been renovated, whether there is excessive formaldehyde, whether there are any pollution sources near the house, etc.