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The baby can open their eyes
Pregnancy

The baby can open their eyes

2 min readWeek 27
Key takeaways
2 min
  • Watch for your baby's first eye opening milestone during fetal development, when they begin detecting light changes and preparing to blink.
  • Expect all babies to have blue eyes initially, with true eye color developing according to genetics and potentially changing until age three.
  • Notice increased fetal movement as your baby stretches, kicks, responds to sounds, and moves arms and legs independently throughout the uterus.
  • Understand that lung development accelerates with surfactant production, preparing your baby for independent breathing after birth.
  • Recognize that twins can see each other for the first time at this stage, though fraternal twins may develop different eye colors.

Babies first open their eyes in the womb during the second trimester, typically around 26-28 weeks of pregnancy. Initially, all babies have blue eyes, but their true eye color develops according to genetics and may change until age three.

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The baby can open their eyes

The baby’s body is proportionally developed now, with a fully formed face, hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes.

This week, the baby will open their eyes for the first time [1]. They can now notice changes in lighting, and will soon begin to blink. For now, their eyes are blue, but soon they will change color according to their genes. Eye color may continue to change until the age of three [2].

Baby is stretching, kicking, and reacting to sounds, and their hands make grasping movements [3]. They can now move each arm and leg separately, so their movements can be directed towards all parts of the uterus.

The baby’s lungs begin to produce surfactant, a liquid that protects the airways. Thanks to this substance, the baby will later learn to breathe independently [4].

If your partner is expecting twins

The babies can now look at each other for the first time! At this time, they both have blue irises, but soon their eyes will change to the color dictated by their genes. If your partner is having fraternal twins, they may not have the same eye color [5]. 

What we can see on an ultrasound

The picture shows a cross-section of the chest. The lungs are white, and the heart is the dark area in the middle of the image. The heart takes up almost a third of the chest. Four parts of the heart are visible: two atria and two ventricles, and the partitions between them.

The baby can open their eyes - The baby can open their eyes
Frequently asked questions

Babies first open their eyes during the second trimester of pregnancy, typically around 26-28 weeks of gestation. At this stage, they can detect changes in lighting and will soon begin to blink.

Yes, most babies are born with blue eyes regardless of their final eye color. Their true eye color develops according to their genetic makeup and may continue changing until around age three.

When babies first open their eyes, they're also stretching, kicking, responding to sounds, and making grasping movements. They can move each arm and leg separately, directing movements throughout the uterus.

During this same period, baby lungs begin producing surfactant, a protective liquid for the airways. This substance is crucial for preparing the baby to breathe independently after birth.

Yes, twins can look at each other for the first time when they open their eyes in the womb. Both initially have blue irises, but fraternal twins may develop different eye colors based on their individual genetics.

Medical Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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Medically reviewed content

Reviewed by healthcare professionals · Updated September 6, 2024

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