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• The eyes of most babies change color in the first 6 months, with some having slight changes until the age of three.
• Melanin, the coloring substance that also defines the color of your skin and hair, determines whether your baby is going to have dark or light eye color.
• Genetics is a factor, too, but it is not always right, as your baby may have a different eye color than the rest of the family in the end.
“Oh! He’s got his father’s eyes!” This is one statement you often hear when someone sees your baby. Many times, their comments are based on your baby’s eye color. But here’s the thing. A baby’s eye color may change as they grow older. Curious about when do babies’ eyes change color and what influences it? This article will provide you with an understanding of when and why this happens. Continue reading to predict what your baby’s real eye colors will be.
The color of the eyes is the color of the iris, which is the circular part of the eye that encloses the pupil. It is not formed by various colored substances, such as paint or cosmetics, because it relies on the quantity of melanin present. The more melanin the iris of your baby has, the darker the eyes will look. The smaller the amount of melanin, the lighter the eye color.
It is not only pigment that determines eye color, as genetic inheritance and the reflection of light can have a say, too. Because the appearance of the iris is also affected by light, it means that their eye color may appear different when exposed to sunlight or in the dark.
As time passes and melanin levels are fully developed, you can see your baby's actual eye color, which typically occurs during the first year. It is the process that contributes to making the change in the color of babies' eyes such an interesting milestone to be observed by parents.
The basis of eye color starts before birth, yet it is not conclusive. Eye melanocytes are the pigment-producing cells that begin to form during pregnancy. These cells get more active after birth and when babies are exposed to light.
During the initial months, the melanocytes progressively produced increased melanin, which makes the iris darker. The darker the eyes, the more melanin cells will be created. That is why, as time passes by, the eyes of a baby may change to blue, hazel, green, or brown.
The change in eye color of babies typically begins during the first six months after birth. At 9-12 months, the eyes of many babies are already close to their final color, but fine changes may still occur until the age of 3. There are those children who develop gradually up to the age of 5 or 6 years, and after that, extremes are very uncommon.
You may have spent so much time staring at the eyes of your baby, especially when they develop every week. A good video monitor, such as the Momcozy 5-Inch Dual-mode Smart Baby Monitor - BM04, helps detect those subtle changes in color easily. Its long-range signal and sharp display allow you to actually see your baby grow and develop right before your eyes.
Another good option is the Momcozy 5.5-inch Full HD Video Baby Monitor - BM03, which can help you record all the moments. It is handy, particularly when you want to capture the little moments in your baby's eyes. You can also explore Momcozy’s Best Baby Monitors to help you choose from a wide range of collections.
The extent of the pigment your baby will have in his/her eyes is influenced by genetic factors. There are several genes from each parent that are related to melanin production. That is, two brown-eyed parents may have a blue baby depending on the genetic combination.
Melanin is the pigment-producer of a person’s eyes. Low levels of melanin result in a blue or gray color. The green or hazel color is caused by moderate levels. The high levels of melanin cause the brown or dark color. The final color is attained when the melanin production becomes stable.
The majority of the babies are born with either blue or gray eyes, which is not necessarily the final color. The light complexion occurs due to the reduced melanin. Melanin production increases with the infant's exposure to light, and their eye color becomes visible.
Babies do not necessarily begin with blue eyes. However, this is a common occurrence in European infants. Individuals of Asian, African, and Hispanic origins are often born with brown or dark gray eyes because they are born with elevated levels of melanin. Thus, the color in which you were born is a matter of genetics and ethnicity, a gorgeous combination of the features of both parents.
Eyes generally darkened with age: blue to green or hazel, green to brown, and/or hazel to deeper brown.
Although the majority of changes are in favor of darker colors, some babies may become a bit lighter as their melanin stabilizes. When the eyes of your baby are still light when he/she is one year old, then their eyes will probably always be so.
You can come up with informed guesses, based on family characteristics, but nature tends to have its way with us. Here is the Probability of Eye Color Chart from VeryWell Health. Remember that it is possible to estimate probabilities using online predictors, but they do not typically cover all genetic variations.
|
Probability of Eye Color Chart |
||||
|
Parent 1 |
Parent 2 |
Blue |
Green |
Brown |
|
Blue |
Blue |
99% |
1% |
<1% |
|
Blue |
Green |
50% |
50% |
<1% |
|
Blue |
Brown |
50% |
<1% |
50% |
|
Green |
Green |
25% |
75% |
<1% |
|
Green |
Brown |
12% |
38% |
50% |
|
Brown |
Brown |
19% |
7% |
75% |
The eye color of your baby has often settled to its final color by the first birthday, though slight changes may persist until the age of three. These transformations indicate the accumulation of melanin, showing the color your baby is to have throughout his life. It is one of the sweetest pleasures of early parenthood to watch this change coming.
You may also notice other minor details at such times of care, such as sniffles or a stuffy nose, that are upsetting your baby. This is where the Momcozy Baby Nasal Aspirator can be useful, providing mild suction to relieve congestion in a non-hazardous manner.
The Momcozy BreezyClear Pro™ 2-in-1 Spray & Suction Electric Nasal Aspirator can be used to make uncomfortable moments a little easier to handle. With its 2-in-1 design, adjustable suction power, soft silicone tips, and a low-noise motor that allows the nasal passage to be gently and effectively cleared even when your baby is asleep.
Moreover, the Momcozy Hospital Grade Nasal Aspirator is easy to clean, features three different-shaped tips, nine levels of suction power, and comes with a USB-C charging port. It helps your baby breathe easily and remain calm, allowing you to enjoy more peaceful moments to appreciate those ever-changing eyes.
The color green has the lowest number of carriers. It is only found in a small population of approximately 2%, making it unique in itself.
Gray eyes often display a combination of blue and green colors. They can be of different colors based on the light and the environment.
Gray eyes can change to blue, green, or even hazel. The melanin level and genetics determine the ultimate color.
Yes, but just a little beyond infancy. The majority of eye development occurs in the initial years of existence.
The color of a baby's eyes is inherited. It is predetermined by a complex of multiple genes that manipulate pigmentation.
Knowledge of when do babies' eyes change color will provide parents with insight into the world of genetics, development, and milestones of early years. They can appreciate the fascinating aspect of baby eyes changing color by understanding this developmental phenomenon. Melanin collaborates with genetics to expose the individual shade of each baby over time. Having a little one with blue eyes, or with brown ones, all the changes are the radiations of the beautiful story written in their DNA. It is a reminder that the processes of their growth are as stunning as their eyes.
The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider regarding any medical condition. Momcozy is not responsible for any consequences arising from the use of this content.
