Make sure the doctor takes a look at your child's eyes at every regularly scheduled well-baby and well-child visit. The doctor will check the structure and alignment of your child's eyes and his ability to move them correctly, and look for signs of congenital eye conditions or other problems. Be sure to let your baby's doctor know if either you or your partner has a strong family history of serious eye problems — particularly problems that surfaced in childhood.
Once your child is 3 or 4, the doctor can examine how well your child can see (his visual acuity), using charts with pictures or letters. For more on what to expect when the doctor checks your child's eyes, see our article on eye exams. If the doctor detects any problems, or if your child's family has a strong history of eye problems, she may refer you to a pediatric ophthalmologist. It's important to diagnose and treat eye problems early on because some are difficult or impossible to correct at a later age.
Studies show that babies prefer human faces to all other patterns and images, so let your baby study your face by keeping it close to his (especially when he's a newborn). At about 1 month, almost anything you pass in front of your baby's face is likely to fascinate him. The stores are packed with developmental toys, but you can do just as well with simple toys and everyday household objects.
Move a rattle or something bright and plastic from side to side in front of his face. Then try moving it up and down. This should attract his attention, although most babies won't be able to smoothly follow vertical motion until they're 3 or 4 months old. Also take note of other things that interest your child visually — the ceiling fan, the birds or fluttering leaves in the yard, or the neighborhood children jumping rope.
Encourage your baby's interest in primary colors and pastels as he gets older. Some great eye-catchers include primary-colored mobiles (hung out of reach), colorful posters (put one near his changing table), and visually striking board books.