2 min read · The moment those tiny eyelids begin to open
Your baby's eyes began developing months ago.
But for much of pregnancy, the eyelids remain closed.
Then, at around 26 weeks, something changes:
your baby's eyes begin opening for the first time.
Why were the eyes closed?
Keeping the eyelids closed during earlier development helps protect the delicate developing structures of the eye.
By around this stage, the eyelids begin opening.
Learning to blink comes next.
Owloo Did You Know?
Your baby's eyes can open before birth — but vision still has a huge amount of development ahead, including after your baby is born.
Can your baby see inside the womb?
The womb is obviously very different from the bright world outside.
Your baby's visual system is still immature, but the eyes are becoming increasingly functional as pregnancy progresses.
This is preparation for a completely new sensory experience after birth.
And what will your newborn see?
Newborn vision is still developing.
At first, babies see most clearly at close range — conveniently around the distance between your face and theirs while you hold or feed them.
One of the first things your baby will spend time looking at is you.
Preparing for baby's first things to see
The Hello World Kit | 0–6 months includes simple visual experiences created for your baby's developing vision after birth.
Discover Hello World →Frequently asked questions
When do babies open their eyes in the womb?
The eyelids usually begin opening at around 26 weeks of pregnancy.
Can babies blink before birth?
After the eyes begin opening, blinking develops as pregnancy progresses.
Is a baby's vision fully developed at birth?
No. Vision continues developing substantially during infancy.
The Owloo approach
For months, those tiny eyes have been developing in the dark.
Soon, they will open to a completely different world.
And one of their favourite things to look at may be your face.
Written by Tina Krapez, Owloo Co-founder & COO
