By Paula McLaren BA (Hons) Early Years Development & Learning •
Updated: 03/18/22 •
So, why do babies stare?
- What is it about a ceiling fan that is so amazing!?
- I mean, is my neighbour’s face really that intersting!?
- And are my lights really the most fascinating things in the room?!
Yes… babies stare a lot.
Sometimes at you, sometimes at others and sometimes at nothing at all!
But… why?! What does it mean for babies to stare?
Why Do Babies Stare At You?
Your baby may be staring at you because they find you fascinating and beautiful!
Infants and newborns are naturally attracted to faces as facial features and expressions as they contain a wealth of communication information that is vital to your baby’s emotional development.
Plus… looking at your face is your newborn’s way of communicating with you!
What Does It Mean If A Baby Stares At You
As well as being fascinating, there are many reasons why your baby stares at you:
1. You Are Fascinating
Babies love to stare at their parents, especially their mom.
After all, they find faces fascinating and mesmerizing!
They are drawn to your eyes and are hard-wired to want to look longingly at their mother.
When your baby is staring at you and you are staring at them you are both bonding in a special and unique way.
2. Baby Likes The Sound Of Your Voice
Your baby will also be drawn to the sound of your voice before their vision develops.
They will therefore turn to the sound of your voice and stare at you!
3. They Are Drawn To Your Sparkly Earrings!
As your baby adapts to the new life around them and their vision improves, they will be drawn to contrasting colours and sparkly objects.
So, if you are wearing bright or sparkly jewellery, for example, they will be drawn to them and stare intently at the shiny sparkly jewels!
4. You Are Wearing Glasses
Newborn babies will also be drawn to people that wear glasses or have distinctive features.
It gives them a focal point and as they may not have seen people wearing them before… their brains are learning what they are!
5. Baby Thinks You Are Attractive!
A university study showed that babies often stare at people because they think they are attractive.
So if you attract a baby’s awareness it may be because they think you are good to look at!
Why Do Babies Stare At Ceiling Fans?
Put simply: babies are drawn to moving objects.
And a ceiling fan is a very obvious moving item when you spend most of your day on your back!
There is a fear that if your baby is staring at ceiling fans for extended periods of time it may be an indication of autism.
However, the truth is…
If your baby is under 4 months of age, staring at a ceiling fan may just be visually stimulating for them and there’s nothing to worry about.
However, if your baby is older than that and staring for very long periods of time… or if you see signs that concern you… have a discussion with your paediatrician to put your mind at rest.
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Why Do Babies Stare At Lights?
Babies love to look at contrasting colours and patterns!
Therefore, you might find your baby staring at lights, sparkly objects or newborn baby books.
Also, they may have never seen a light like that before!
And when a baby sees something that they have never seen before they will naturally find it intriguing as they try to learn as much about it as they can.
Why Do Babies Stare At Corners And Open Space?
As newborns adjust to life around them outside the womb, what they are gradually able to see as their brain develops is wondrous and new.
Mundane objects that we take for granted take on a whole new dimension for your little one.
And for some babies, a corner (or a change in angle) provides enough wonder to stare at for hours.
Some newborns also need a bit of time to chill out and staring at a corner gives them the space to relax and zone out whilst their brain processes everything they’ve learnt that day!
If you want to provide a safe place for your baby to chill out for a while, I highly recommend the SNOO crib.
Its gentle rocking motion and ventilated sides will provide the perfect place to relax (and potentially drift off to sleep!) when the day gets a little overwhelming for your little one!
And that’s all there is to it! Everything you need to know about why babies stare!
If you enjoyed this post and know other parents who would enjoy this content, be sure to give it a share!
And if you have any further questions about babies staring, feel free to drop me an email at [email protected] and ask away! I am more than happy to help and I love hearing from you.
Thank you for your continued support and until next time, Happy Parenting!
A bedtime & nap cheat sheet so good your little one will ask you to put them to bed...
Laura Williams "This is a life saver! I'm so glad I downloaded your bedtime & nap cheat sheet. My little one actually asked me to put him to bed last night! Unbelievable! Thank you so much!"
