Infant Vision

Infant Vision Birth to One Year

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What does my baby see? This is a very common question for parents. This Helping Hand will describe what your baby sees from birth to one year of age, and how you can help your baby’s vision develop.

Birth to One Month of Age

At birth your baby sees only in black and white, and shades of gray. Nerve cells in the brain and retina of the eye are not fully developed. They also have trouble focusing, and are not very light-sensitive yet. Infants’ eyes are large compared to their bodies. When a baby is born, his or her eyes are about 65% of their adult size. One week after birth the baby can see colors and can see about 8-10 inches away. At six weeks of age baby can see about 12 inches away.

You can help your infant’s vision by holding and feeding him or her on each side, left and right (Picture 1). Place your baby in the crib facing different ways to see different views. Put up a mobile so your baby can watch it.