One of the questions I get asked most as an optometrist is:
"When can babies actually see colour?"
The answer might surprise you!
👶 At birth, babies don't see the world the way we do. Their vision is still developing, so they're naturally drawn to high-contrast black and white patterns because they're the easiest for their eyes to detect.
🌈 Around 3–4 months, colour vision starts to improve significantly. Babies begin recognising brighter, bolder colours, with reds often being among the first colours they notice. As the months go on, they become better at distinguishing a wider range of colours and finer details.
That's why you'll often see our muslins and our flashcards use simple patterns and bold primary colours, they're much easier for developing eyes to process. We also love giving you products that grow with your little ones!
Try this at home
✨ 0–3 months
- Show your baby our Little Eyes Sensory flashcards black and white patterns during tummy time.
- Hold them around 20–30 cm from your baby's face, where newborns see best.
- Keep sessions short and fun just a few minutes at a time.
✨ 3+ months
- Use our bold primary coloured flashcards in the same deck and Introduce bold primary colours alongside black-and-white images.
- Move objects slowly from side to side to encourage visual tracking.
- Talk, smile and interact while your baby looks, your face is still their favourite thing to watch!
At Little Eyes Sensory, every product is designed with these stages of visual development in mind, helping you make the most of everyday moments through simple sensory play.
Remember, every baby develops at their own pace. This information is intended for general educational purposes and isn't a substitute for professional eye care. If you have any concerns about your baby's vision, please speak with your health visitor, GP or optometrist.