Ointment in baby's eyes after birth?

Question

I see lots of pics on here of newborn babies with an ointment or something smeared on their eyes? What is it exactly and what for? Antibiotic cream?
Is it an American thing? Never seen it done here.

Answer

It's an antibiotic ointment to prevent babies from getting pink eye.

Answer

I chose not to do it for baby. Its to protect them from certain infections but if you don’t have STD’s, there’s really no point to it