Yes, babies can get pink eye; newborn cases need prompt care, while most infant cases are mild and contagious.
New parents spot red, goopy eyes and wonder what it means. Pink eye, or conjunctivitis, is common in childhood and can show up in the first year of life. Causes range from viruses to bacteria to allergies. A few newborn causes need same-day medical review. This guide shows what to look for, what to do at home, and when to call the doctor.
Pink Eye In Babies: Quick Basics
In simple terms, conjunctivitis is inflammation of the thin lining that covers the white of the eye and the inner lids. It looks pink or red, may feel gritty, and can make tears or pus. Babies rub their eyes and fuss more. The next table lays out the common types you might see and how they differ.
| Type | Usual Timing/Age | Typical Signs In Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Viral | Any time in infancy | Watery discharge, runny nose, spreads between eyes |
| Bacterial | Any time in infancy | Thick yellow-green pus, lids stuck on waking |
| Allergic | Older infants | Itchy, watery, both eyes, sneezing |
| Irritant/Chemical | Right after birth | Redness and swelling that fade in 1–2 days |
| Blocked Tear Duct | Newborns to 6 months | Tearing and crusting without pink sclera |
| Gonococcal (neonatal) | First 2–5 days of life | Severe swelling, lots of pus; emergency care |
| Chlamydial (neonatal) | 5–14 days of life | Redness, swelling, stringy discharge |
| Herpes (neonatal) | First weeks | Red eye with blisters on skin near eye; urgent care |
Can A Baby Get Pink Eye? Symptoms And Next Steps
The short answer is yes. The more useful answer is which signs point to a mild case you can care for at home and which ones need a visit. Watch for color change in the white of the eye, new discharge, swelling of lids, and changes in feeding or sleep. A fever, reduced alertness, or blisters near the eye raise concern. If your newborn is under one month and the eye is red, seek same-day care.
How Pink Eye Starts In Babies
Viral cases often ride along with a cold. A sibling with a runny nose shares the virus, and within a day or two the baby’s eye turns pink and watery. Bacterial cases can follow a blocked tear duct or start on their own. Allergic cases spark in both eyes during pollen spikes or contact with pet dander or dust mites. Irritant redness can follow soap, smoke, or pool water. In the newborn period, certain bacteria picked up during birth, and rarely herpes, can infect the eyes and need medical treatment.
What’s Contagious And What’s Not
Viral and bacterial pink eye spread easily through tears and nasal secretions. Allergic and irritant forms do not spread. If one eye starts and the other follows within a day, think viral spread from the baby rubbing both eyes. Keep wipes, towels, and washcloths separate and wash hands before and after eye care.
Can Babies Get Pink Eye From A Cold? Common Triggers
A cold virus is a common trigger in older infants. Adenoviruses are well known culprits. Daycare plays a role since surfaces get shared all day. Teething does not cause pink eye, but the drool and hand-to-eye contact during teething can move germs around. Seasonal allergies can inflame both eyes and make them look pink, but the discharge is thin and itchy rather than thick.
Home Care That Actually Helps
Soothing Steps
Use clean, warm water on a cotton pad to loosen crusts, wiping from the nose side outward. Use one pad per wipe and toss it. A cool compress helps puffy lids. Keep fingernails trimmed to limit scratches. Skip contact with smoke or scented products near the crib. If your pediatrician approves, a few drops of sterile artificial tears can ease a gritty feeling.
Cleaning And Hygiene
Wash your hands before and after touching the eye area. Clean shared toys. Launder pillowcases and cloths in hot water. Avoid sharing towels. During a viral or bacterial episode, avoid day care until the goop lessens and your pediatrician gives the green light. Simple steps on how to prevent pink eye line up with what doctors teach in clinic.
Blocked Tear Duct Care
A clogged duct can mimic infection in the first months. The white of the eye stays clear while tears pool and crust. Gentle massage along the side of the nose helps the duct open over time. Your doctor can show the motion during a visit.
Safety Checks For Newborns
Red eye in the first month of life deserves quick care. Some germs that pass during birth can harm the surface of the eye and even spread beyond it. Timing offers strong clues. Heavy swelling with thick drainage in the first week points one way. Redness with stringy mucus a bit later points another way. A clinician can swab the eye and start treatment right away if needed. Hospitals give ointment at birth to reduce risk from one germ, but that ointment does not block every cause, so follow-up still matters when a newborn eye turns red.
When Treatment Is Needed
Many viral cases clear on their own in one to two weeks. A true bacterial case may need antibiotic drops or ointment. Newborn infections caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia need lab testing and prompt antibiotics by a clinician. Do not use leftover drops. Do not place breast milk in the eye. Home remedies that claim to “cure” pink eye can delay care and may irritate the surface.
Medication Tips
Giving drops to a wiggly baby can be tough. Wash hands, then cradle the baby with the head slightly back. Place a drop at the inner corner and let it roll in when the eye opens. Space doses as directed. Finish the course unless your doctor says to stop. If a rash, swelling, or wheeze appears after a dose, stop the medicine and seek care.
Call The Doctor Now If You See
- Red eye in a baby under one month
- Swelling so large the eye is hard to open
- Fever, poor feeding, or unusual sleepiness
- Blisters on the lids or near the eye
- Pain that makes the baby keep the eye shut
- Light sensitivity or a change in the black pupil
- No improvement after two to three days of care
How Doctors Figure Out The Cause
Your clinician looks at the pattern and timing. Bacterial cases tend to make thick pus and stick the lids; viral cases are more watery with cold symptoms. Allergic cases itch and affect both eyes. Newborn timing clues also help: gonococcal cases start fast in the first week, while chlamydial cases show later in the second week. If a serious germ is possible, the doctor may swab the eye for testing. In newborns, blood and culture checks can be needed too.
What Treatments Look Like
Bacterial cases often respond to antibiotic eye drops or ointment from your pediatrician. Viral pink eye does not respond to antibiotics. Care aims to ease symptoms while the virus runs its course. Allergic cases calm down with avoidance and pediatric-safe antihistamine drops when advised. Newborn infections linked to gonorrhea or chlamydia need systemic antibiotics and eye care in a clinical setting. Herpes near the eye is rare but serious and needs urgent antiviral care.
Practical Day-To-Day Tips
- Keep a small pack of clean cotton pads in the diaper bag.
- Use a fresh washcloth for each eye cleaning session.
- Disinfect high-touch surfaces like crib rails and play mats.
- Offer extra fluids if feeding slows down.
- Pause contact lenses for caregivers until their own eye redness clears.
Doctor Visit Triggers And Next Steps
Use this quick table to match signs with the right action. When in doubt with a newborn, book same-day care.
| Sign | What It Suggests | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Watery discharge with a cold | Viral conjunctivitis | Home care; call if worse or no change in 48–72 hours |
| Thick pus, lids glued | Bacterial conjunctivitis | See pediatrician for diagnosis; likely drops/ointment |
| Both eyes itchy, no fever | Allergic conjunctivitis | Avoid triggers; ask about safe drops |
| Red eye in first week of life | Gonococcal risk | Urgent same-day medical care |
| Red eye at 5–14 days of life | Chlamydial risk | Medical evaluation and testing |
| Blisters near eye | Herpes risk | Emergency care |
| Tearing without pink eye | Blocked tear duct | Gentle massage; routine follow-up |
Prevention Habits That Work
Hand washing before feeds and after diaper changes helps. Wipe the nose and face often during a cold. Keep small hands away from the eye area by offering a soft teether or toy during fussy periods. Swap shared towels for single-use wipes during sick days. Clean pacifiers and bottle parts well. The Mayo Clinic page on symptoms and causes matches what families see at home and in clinic.
Daycare And Return Rules
Policies vary. Many centers allow return when the child feels well and drainage has slowed. After starting antibiotics for a proven bacterial case, many programs allow return the next day. Ask your pediatrician for a note if needed.
Smart Myths To Skip
- “Breast milk cures eye infections.” It does not. It can carry germs and spoil.
- “Antibiotics fix all pink eye.” Viral cases do not respond to them.
- “Teething causes pink eye.” It does not cause it, though hand-to-eye contact spreads germs.
Answering The Exact Question
If you came here asking “can a baby get pink eye?”, the answer is yes. If you also asked “can a baby get pink eye?” because your newborn’s eye looks red, call your doctor today to be safe. For older infants, many cases are mild and pass with simple care, smart hygiene, and a quick check with your pediatrician when signs point to infection.