Newborn infants may not make much direct eye contact initially, often focusing on high-contrast features like hairlines. As they develop, typically between six and eight weeks of age, sustained gaze increases. A baby’s focus might still be fleeting, lasting only a few seconds at a time, but these brief connections lay the groundwork for future social interaction. There is no fixed duration considered “typical,” but rather a gradual progression towards longer and more frequent periods of mutual gaze as the baby matures. Variations in gaze patterns are common and do not necessarily indicate a developmental issue.
Mutual gaze, the shared eye contact between a caregiver and infant, is a cornerstone of early bonding and communication. It plays a crucial role in language acquisition, social-emotional development, and understanding nonverbal cues. Through these shared glances, babies learn to regulate their emotions, interpret facial expressions, and engage in reciprocal interactions. This early nonverbal communication forms the foundation for complex social skills later in life. Historically, observing infant gaze has been a significant factor in assessing developmental milestones across cultures.
