When Do Babies Start Shedding Tears?

4 min read

Written by Sindhuja Prabhu

Sindhuja Prabhu

M.Sc (Psychology),PGDBM

Sindhuja, a mother of two, is an obsessive mom with a keen interest in psychology, especially child psychology. Her quest for knowledge and way with words led her to become a passionate content writer. She transformed her love for writing into a full-fledged career which incidentally also turned up being the perfect stress buster for the last 5 years.

when do Babies Start Shedding Tears

Have you noticed how newborn babies cry all the time but you won’t spot a single tear on their delicate faces? Did you know these little miracles can’t produce tears for the first few weeks of their lives despite the hours of crying day and night? So when do babies start shedding tears?

Crying is very normal for humans. Young children and adults all can cry. However, babies can’t make tears as easily despite crying frequently. So, why does this happen? When do the tears start rolling down? And how are a baby’s eyes protected? Read on to know more.

In This Article

Why Don’t Newborns Shed Tears?
When Do Babies Start Shedding Tears?
What Happens if Newborns Shed Tears Early?
What Happens if a Baby Continues to Not Produce Tears?
Top Conditions That May Affect an Infant’s Tear Production
When to See a Doctor?
FAQ’s

Why Don’t Newborns Shed Tears?

Tears are produced by glands called the lacrimal gland, more commonly known as the tear glands. These glands are found in the upper edge of the eyes while the tear ducts are found at the bottom. The tear ducts drain away the tears and do not produce them like popular belief.

The lacrimal glands produce few tears within the first 2 weeks after birth. However, this is not sufficient to roll down from the eyes. It is just enough to moisten the eyes to prevent them from drying. This is why you never see newborns shed tears despite all that endless crying.

When Do Babies Start Shedding Tears?

Baby shedding tears

So, when do the tears actually start coming in? From when do you catch your baby crying puddles of tears for anything and everything?

Around 2 months of age, you can start seeing those tears trickle down the delicate cheeks of your baby. It may not be much at first, but once the glands start making the tears and the tear ducts start functioning fully, you can see a lot more of those tears.

Most babies start shedding tears by 3 months of age. So, your baby might start crying tears in the second or third month.

What Happens if Newborns Shed Tears Early?

If your newborn baby is shedding tears early, it can be quite worrying. Here is why this can happen.

1. Tear Ducts Are Blocked

If the tear ducts are blocked, they cannot drain the tears. As a result, the tears will start dropping out of the eyes, resulting in tears trickling down the cheeks. Such a condition is not unheard of. It is called lacrimal duct obstruction or dacryostenosis.

[Read : Blocked Tear Duct In Newborns]

2. Infections

Newborns are prone to many infections due to a weak immune system. Any upper respiratory organ infection or conjunctivitis(pink eye) can cause a lot of tearing in the eyes. If the tear ducts are not working properly, it can result in early tears.

3. Glaucoma

Excessive tears are a main symptom of glaucoma. Some babies can be born with glaucoma, which can be rectified with surgery or medications.

When you see tears trickling down your newborn baby’s cheeks, check with the doctor immediately. In case of any infection or glaucoma, the earlier you start the treatment, the better.

What Happens if a Baby Continues to Not Produce Tears?

Tears are a natural defence mechanism that protects the eyes from various infections and dust. The lack of tears can make the eyes dry, itchy, and infection-prone. It can even affect eyesight if not attended to in time.

Top Conditions That May Affect an Infant’s Tear Production

Conditions Affecting an Infant's Tear Production

Your baby may not be producing tears, due to the following reasons.

1. Dehydration

If your baby is dehydrated, their body may not produce enough tears to shed. The dehydration can be due to diarrhea, intestinal issues, or indigestion. Apart from the lack of tears, your baby’s eyes can seem sunken too.

[Read : Dehydration in Babies]

2. Alacrima

Alacrima is a medical condition where the tear glands cannot produce enough tears. It could be a genetic disorder that requires management with the help of regular eye drops.

When to See a Doctor?

You must consider visiting a doctor if you notice the following in your baby

Tears start trickling down their cheeks within the first few weeks itself.
Your baby does not produce any tears even after 4 months of age.
Eyes seem to be puffy or red indicating an infection.
The pupil appears cloudy.
Pus formation in the eyes (you can see a white residue accumulating in the corner of the eyes).

Tears are an important part of the immune system. It is an in-built immunity that helps keep dirt and dust out of the eyes. It helps protect the eyes from various elements. If a baby does not produce these important tears, it is important to get a medical opinion at the earliest.