Babies initially see the world in shades of gray, perceiving contrast between black and white shapes. However, the first primary color they can reliably distinguish is red. This typically occurs within the first few weeks of life.
Development of Color Vision in Infants
- Newborns (0-4 weeks): Primarily see in black and white and shades of gray, recognizing high contrast.
- First few weeks: Begin to distinguish red from other colors.
- Around 8 weeks: Can differentiate between red and white, as well as light blue and some greens. However, their color perception continues to develop significantly.
- Months 2-4: Color vision improves steadily. They become better at distinguishing a wider range of colors.
- By 6 months: Color perception is similar to adults.
While newborns can detect some light and movement, their ability to perceive color is limited in the early weeks after birth. The development of color vision is a gradual process, with red being the first color distinguished, followed by other colors over the first few months of life. Regular well-child check-ups with a pediatrician and potential eye exams by an ophthalmologist or optometrist can help to track the development of a child's vision and identify any potential issues.
Several sources confirm this information: multiple articles from reputable medical and parenting websites (NVISION, Healthline, Vision Center, etc.) indicate that red is the first color babies reliably distinguish. These sources highlight that while newborns can see contrasts in light and dark, full color perception develops gradually over the first few months.
