At birth, what can infants see clearly from a distance of about eight inches?

Infants are born with limited vision, typically only being able to focus clearly on objects that are about eight inches away from their face, which is roughly the distance to a caregiver's face during feeding. At this distance, infants are particularly attuned to human faces, which is vital for their early social interactions and emotional development. The ability to see and recognize faces helps promote bonding and attachment, as well as supports social communication.

In contrast, detailed images, color patterns, and movements of objects may not be as discernible to newborns at this early stage in their development. Infants gradually develop the ability to see more clearly and at greater distances over the first few months of life, but near vision—especially focused on faces—is a significant aspect of early learning and emotional connection.