Quick Answer: Clean newborn eyes by wiping from inner to outer corner with damp cotton. For ears, only clean the outer part - never insert anything into the ear canal. For the nose, use saline drops and a bulb syringe for congestion. Always be gentle, use clean materials, and remember: less cleaning is often better than over-cleaning.
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Watch: How to Clean Baby's Nose
Newborns have delicate features that need gentle care. Their ears, eyes, and nose are self-cleaning to some degree, so your job is to help when needed without overdoing it.
| Always Do | Never Do |
|---|---|
| Wash hands first | Use cotton swabs inside ears/nose |
| Use clean materials for each area | Reuse dirty cotton |
| Be gentle | Use force |
| Stop if baby is distressed | Insert anything deep |
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Newborns often develop:
What You Need:
How to Clean:
Important: Always wipe from inside to outside. This prevents spreading any discharge or infection.
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Morning eye discharge | Clean gently once |
| Crusty buildup | Soften with damp cotton, then wipe |
| Clear discharge | Usually blocked tear duct - clean as needed |
| Yellow/green discharge | See doctor - possible infection |
Common in newborns - the tear drainage system isn't fully developed.
Signs:
What Helps:
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Only clean what you can see!
Baby's ears (like adults') are self-cleaning. Earwax naturally moves outward, carrying dirt and debris with it.
| Clean This | Don't Touch This |
|---|---|
| Outer ear folds | Ear canal |
| Behind the ear | Inside the ear |
| The visible curves | Anything you can't see |
Daily/Bath Time:
| Fact | Implication |
|---|---|
| Earwax is protective | Don't try to remove it |
| It traps dust and germs | It's doing its job |
| Ears push it out naturally | Leave it alone |
| Color varies (yellow to brown) | All normal |
Cotton swabs in baby ears can:
Warning: The "do not insert" warning on cotton swab packages exists for good reason. This applies to babies AND adults.
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| Situation | Need to Clean? |
|---|---|
| Visible mucus at nostrils | Yes |
| Snuffly breathing | Maybe - try saline first |
| Difficulty feeding due to congestion | Yes |
| Sounds congested but no visible blockage | Usually no - may just be narrow passages |
The gentlest approach - often all you need.
How to Use:
For more stubborn congestion.
How to Use:
Tips:
| Don't | Why |
|---|---|
| Insert cotton swabs | Can push mucus deeper, cause injury |
| Use adult nasal sprays | Not safe for babies |
| Suction too often | Causes swelling, makes congestion worse |
| Blow into baby's face | Doesn't help and may startle baby |
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A: Eyes - as needed, typically once daily. Ears - during bath time is enough. Nose - only when visibly congested or affecting feeding.
A: Not necessarily. Newborn nasal passages are narrow, making breathing sounds louder. If baby is feeding well and not distressed, this is normal.
A: For eyes, use plain water and cotton. For ears (outer part), gentle wipes are okay. For nose, stick to saline and aspirators.
A: Yes! Earwax color ranges from light yellow to dark brown. All colors are normal. The key is leaving it alone to do its job.
A: Signs include: fever, pulling at ears, unusual fussiness especially when lying down, difficulty sleeping, and sometimes fluid draining from ear. See your doctor for evaluation.
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| Area | How Often | Method | Warning Signs |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Eyes** | Daily or as needed | Damp cotton, inside to outside | Redness, thick yellow/green discharge |
| **Ears** | Bath time | Damp cloth on outer ear only | Smell, discharge, fever |
| **Nose** | When congested | Saline drops, bulb syringe | Difficulty breathing, can't feed |
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This article was reviewed by pediatricians at Babynama. Last updated: January 2026
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