When Do Babies Start Seeing Colours?
Contrary to popular belief, a newborn’s vision is not colourless, but rather muted. Babies only see the full spectrum of colours at around 5 months + of age. Our article walks through the different stages from when they can only see black and white to the full range of colours.
Colour vision development in babies and the science behind it
Contrary to the belief that babies see no colour whatsoever at birth— they actually do see some, just very little and only subtle differences between vastly different hues. The retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, contains photoreceptor cells called cones and rods. Cones are responsible for detecting colour, while rods play a role in low-light vision. It is these cones that are understood to be fairly underdeveloped in the first few weeks of life.
According to the American Academy of Opthalmology (aao.org), within a couple of weeks of being born, a newborn’s retina starts to develop. They can see light and dark ranges and patterns. Colour vision development in humans is typically underpinned by three types of cone photoreceptors, with spectral sensitivities that peak at long (L-cones, red light), medium (M-cones, green light), and short wavelengths of light (S-cones, blue light). It is only at around >2-4 months that a significant milestone occurs in a baby's visual development – the maturation of the cones photoreceptors.
Scientific research suggests that,
Infants’ red–green colour vision develops first, and the blue–yellow vision develops around 4 to 8 weeks later
with infants being able to see both by 3 months (Skelton & Franklin, 2022). So if in doubt which colours to show to your baby first, the first ones they will be able to see are red and green shades of colour.
It is only in the fourth month that baby starts seeing the full range of bold primary colours, including green, red, blue, and yellow, along with certain hues of these colours.
With the onset of binocular vision, infants recognize large geometric shapes of these colours, e.g. triangles. They will then start to see the full spectrum of colours by five months (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia).
By the fifth and sixth months, their vision further develops, and they see the full spectrum of colours - including pastel colour.
Babies are also able to differentiate between light and dark shades to an extent at this age.
During this newborn period, babies transition from seeing the world in black, white and shades of grey to a more nuanced and colourful view. It's an exciting time for both parents and babies as they begin to explore the vibrant palette of their surroundings!
A few milestones….
One To Three Months
Start to hold their gaze for longer
Can track a moving object up to 90 degrees
Are drawn to high-contrast patterns
Can recognize familiar objects
Are engaged by own hands
Four To Six Months
Can identify and stare at a face or an object at a farther distance
Eyesight develops to enable colour recognition; the first primary colour that they see is red
Looks at their own hands or in the mirror
Depth perception occurs
Can turn the head and pick up a toy from the floor by the sixth month
Toys for Stimulating Colour Vision
Lamaze Soft Toys
As your baby's colour vision starts to blossom, incorporate soft toys in a variety of bright and contrasting colours. Lamaze toys with vivid hues can capture your baby's attention and encourage visual exploration.
Visual Stimulation Cards
These cards often feature high-contrast patterns and bright colours, engaging your baby's developing vision. They can often by found in the form of a string of images, e.g. The Gallery Colour (by Eyas London).
Colourful Play Mats
Lay out a colourful play mat with different shapes and colours, e.g. the Babyzee Safari Playmat. This provides a visually stimulating environment for your baby during tummy time, encouraging them to lift their head and explore the surroundings.
Mirror Play
Babies are often fascinated by their own reflection. Use a baby-safe mirror during supervised playtime to enhance self-recognition and visual exploration. You can also incorporate colourful toys around the mirror to create a visually engaging setup.
Outdoor Exploration
When weather permits, take your baby outdoors to experience the natural colours of the environment. Allow them to gaze at the greenery, blue sky, and other vibrant elements of nature. The ever-changing outdoor scenery provides a dynamic visual experience.
Witnessing your baby's journey into the world of colour vision is a remarkable and joyous experience. Understanding the scientific aspects of this development and incorporating appropriate toys and activities can enhance and support your baby's visual exploration. Embrace this colourful phase of your baby's life, and enjoy the enchanting moments as they discover the beauty of the world around them.
Written by Dr. Ivana Perkins
