Baby Vision Development: Month-by-Month Milestones | Parenting Hub
From blurry shapes at birth to depth perception by 12 months — here's how baby vision develops and what to watch for.
Baby vision develops quickly. Knowing the milestones helps you notice if something needs a closer look.
Birth – 1 month
Sees best at 20–30 cm (your face during feeds). High-contrast shapes and faces are most engaging. Eyes may occasionally cross.
2 – 3 months
Tracks moving objects and faces. Starts to recognise familiar faces. Eyes should be working together more steadily.
4 – 6 months
Colour vision improves, depth perception starts. Reaches accurately for toys. A constant eye turn at this age needs a check.
7 – 12 months
Sees across the room, recognises people at a distance, follows fast-moving objects. Hand–eye coordination matures with crawling and pointing.
When to seek a review
Talk to your GP or maternal child health nurse if baby doesn't make eye contact by 3 months, doesn't follow objects by 4 months, has a constant squint after 4 months, or you notice an unusual pupil reflex.
When to seek help
- No eye contact by 3 months
- Not following objects by 4 months
- Constant eye turn after 4 months
- White, yellow or grey pupil reflex in photos
Common questions
When is the first eye check?
Eyes are checked at birth and at routine maternal child health nurse visits. A formal vision check is part of the 3.5–4 year check, but raise any concerns at any age.