Let’s create a bright, colourful world for your baby

We can hardly imagine a baby’s surroundings as dull or neutral. Instinctively, and from what we know, little ones need a multicoloured space to thrive.

Colours support the development of vision, attention, concentration and cognitive functions. They can influence emotions, motivate and inspire babies, spark curiosity and set them off on little journeys of discovery.

A colourful environment helps the senses work together by teaching babies how to process stimuli that arrive at once with the visual scene, such as sounds and touch. That is why it is important to provide a rich palette when these key developmental stages unfold.

How newborn colour vision develops 

Newborns mainly perceive shades of grey. Even at around 2 months, their attention is drawn most to light sources and high-contrast objects, so light–dark contrasts take centre stage early on. Babies tend to perceive red first, then other colours follow. This unfolds slowly and gradually, not on a week-by-week “new colour” schedule. At this time they are still especially tuned to movement and light. nhs.uk

Between 2 and 4 months, the “looking at hands” phase begins – they discover their own hands and watch them move – and they start practising quick, precise shifts of focus. Their vision gets sharper and richer in detail. Alongside high-contrast items, colourful objects and sights become very helpful in their environment.

By 4 to 6 months, babies feel surrounded by an ever more colourful world because they can separate colours more clearly. By 5 months, most colours are visible to them. When they grasp objects, they can examine them up close. At 8–9 months, sitting babies can inspect nearby items around them and love to look at and fiddle with the fabric and prints of their clothes.

Because the pace of colour recognition and colour-vision development varies for every baby, you can support it by choosing stronger shades in toys. Bright tones are more stimulating than muted pastels.

Why do babies not perceive colours straight away 

Because of the two types of photoreceptors in the eye: rods and cones. Rods, which handle black-and-white and low-light vision, are present from birth, while cones, responsible for colour vision, develop a little later and gradually bring the joy of colour into a child’s life. A lively, colourful environment helps this developmental process along.

How using colour supports development 

Babies learn through stimuli. They need a stimulus-rich environment for healthy development. At first, black-and-white and other high-contrast patterns hold their attention best and provide input they can process. A little later, around 4 months, colours take a bigger role.

Colour vision develops properly when babies have the chance to notice varied shades, which they typically enjoy.

Bold, high-contrast items stand out and prompt action: babies want to touch, grasp and explore. This strong drive helps keep development moving at a good pace

Make your baby’s surroundings colourful 

Even without specialist knowledge about the importance of colour, its developmental and mood effects, we know that the ideal environment for children is one where they are surrounded by lively shades. When a baby has to spend time in hospital, for example, parents often brighten a visually sparse room with striking toys, accessories and clothing.

A colourful environment boosts interest and curiosity. Bright toys stand out from the background and look exciting.

Colours help babies discover and understand the world. They also help older infants link colours with associated shapes, aiding recognition. Think of the way they spot a familiar form in a book, on a wall print or in the patterns on their blanket or clothing.

Colours offer more than aesthetics – they carry emotional effects. We all know the upbeat impact of vivid shades. We often choose bold tones for a first birthday decoration, and we cheer ourselves up with a splash of colour in our outfits.

As visual elements, colours help set a positive mood for babies. They catch the eye, raise attention and spark curiosity. Individual colours can evoke feelings on their own – think of soothing light blue or energising yellow.

The LiaaBébé colour world 

When designing LiaaBébé babywear, we chose fabrics that draw babies’ attention with beautiful, bright colours and charming prints. At first they look at their hands and feet and the clothes on them; later, sitting up, they can explore familiar motifs in even more detail.

Unlike pale pastels, we mainly play with bold shades, because we want babies to wear the colours they themselves tend to love most – those strong, vivid tones.

Around one year old – girls in particular – children take an active interest in what they will wear. They really enjoy lovely colours and prints. Many can even choose for themselves and decide what they want to wear that day.

It is not only children who notice the gorgeous leaf-green Dinosaur Bodysuit, the distinctive marigold yellow Zip Sleepsuit and the turquoise Dinosaur Toddler Sleep Bag. Parents love these designs too, and we are happy they share their thoughts with us:

“Nearly a year has gone by without needing a new sleepsuit or bodysuit just because of sizing up; I only buy when a new collection catches my eye. You can hardly wear them out, the fabric is superb, the colours are gorgeous and the pieces are super comfy.”

“My husband keeps praising the fabric, and he really likes the prints.”

Parents choose babywear to suit their own taste, so it is a real joy when they find pieces whose quality and appearance feel reliable and consistent.

Dressing girls and boys 

While previous generations often used distinct “girls’ colours” and “boys’ colours”, today this has changed a lot. We like universal shades too. Textile makers no longer work only with primary colours – red, yellow, blue – or secondary colours – orange, green, purple. There is a wealth of stunning tones – like our turquoise, deep green, pink, French blue and marigold yellow – the possibilities are endless.

Visit our website to explore the collections.

Sources:

Healthier Together (NHS-backed) — Vision: Child under 5 years

NHS Borders — Sensory development in infants and toddlers