Babies often get goopy eyes in the first few days or weeks of their lives. The most common eye discharge is caused by irritation due to the silver nitrate eye drops, given shortly after the baby's birth to protect against gonococcal infection. This discharge should not last longer than 2 days. A discharge that is present after the third day can be linked to a blocked tear duct or an infection.

In older children, conjunctivitis often accompanies a viral cold. Eye discharge of a viral origin is usually mild and not as thick as in more severe bacterial infections.

Eye discharge in bacterial infections is usually very heavy and thick, and the pus forms a heavy crust. Children often wake up in the morning with their eye glued shut. A lot of discharge can run from the eye as well.

Bacterial infections require a visit to the doctor and some prescription eyedrops.

Viral infections related to a cold or flu will clear up by themselves in time.

In all the cases, a safe and practical home supplemental treatment suitable for babies, children, and adults, is available in the form of chamomile solution. Chamomile is a well known herb, widely used in Europe for its anti-inflammatory effect.

You can make your own solution simply by steeping an organic chamomile tea bag for 15 minutes. Simply pour some boling water over the tea bag, cover, and let it sit for 15 minutes. Always let it cool down to luke warm temperature before applying to the eyes. Use a clean cotton ball or a cotton cleansing pad, soak it in the luke warm liquid and gently wipe the infected eye. Never use the same cotton ball or pad on both eyes. Discard after one wipe. Don't double dip. Repeat with a new ball or pad at least three times at a time, or until you get most of the discharge off. Repeat 3 or 4 times a day or as needed.

The luke warm temperature of the chamomile solution helps to wipe the discharge away more easily than a cold solution would.

Chamomile is so gentle in its nature that in Europe it is often considered the safest eye washing treatment for babies with goopy eyes.