Take your baby to the doctor as soon as possible. If your baby is less than 2 weeks old, she may have contracted a serious form of conjunctivitis from the bacteria living in the birth canal during delivery. She should have received antibiotic drops right after birth to ward off this problem. If she didn't get them for some reason, and an infection did develop, she'll need treatment right away to prevent damage to her vision. Your healthcare provider should be able to tell what's causing the infection by looking at your baby's eyes and asking you about her other symptoms.
Bacterial conjunctivitis is the most common type of eye infection.
If her eyes are producing a watery discharge and she has a red, swollen throat and swollen lymph glands in front of her ears, she probably has a virus. An allergic reaction doesn't stem from an infection, but it could become one if your baby continues to be exposed to the allergen or irritant. Add your comments to the bottom of this page. If bacterial conjunctivitis is the culprit, your doctor will prescribe antibiotic ointment or drops for you to use on your baby's eyes for about seven days. If you're using drops, aim them at the inside corner of your baby's eye.