👀 Supporting your newborn's visual development

What you'll need

• A black-and-white card or sturdy picture book.
• Your face and a comfortable, well-lit place for awake interaction.

Try these together

1. 1. Pick an alert moment

   When baby is awake and comfortable, hold a card or your face about 20–30 cm away. Adjust to what catches their interest without forcing eye contact.

2. 2. Move slowly

   Move the card gently from side to side and pause. Tracking develops gradually, so it is fine if their eyes do not follow smoothly yet.

3. 3. Share expressions

   Smile, talk softly and let baby study your face. Either parent or another trusted caregiver can enjoy this time.

4. 4. Stop when they need a break

   Looking away, fussing or yawning can signal enough stimulation. Put cards and toys away before sleep; use a clear, flat, firm sleep space with baby on their back.

Classic mistakes

• ❌ Turning play into a test Interest and focus vary. Ask your pediatric team or barangay health centre about concerns, especially a white-looking pupil, persistent eye turning or limited response to faces.
• ❌ Using screens as visual training Babies do not need apps or videos for visual development. Face-to-face play is more useful than passive screen viewing.

Same topic

• 😭 Getting through evening crying spells
• 💬 Building language through everyday conversation
• ️ Encouraging free movement
• 🍳 Eating well while caring for a baby