The Research
Imagine trying to read a light gray word printed on a white piece of paper. As an adult, you could probably make it out without much effort. For a newborn, however, that word may blend into the page because there isn't enough contrast to distinguish it clearly.
During the first few months of life, a baby's vision is still developing. Compared with adults, newborns have much lower contrast sensitivity, making bold, high-contrast patterns much easier to detect than subtle shapes or low-contrast images (Brown & Lindsey, 2009).
Research has also shown that when simple patterns don't provide enough contrast, newborns tend to shift their attention toward images with stronger contrast instead (Morison & Slater, 1985). This is one reason high-contrast books, flashcards, and sensory toys have become so popular during a baby's earliest months.
Does It Have to Be Black and White?
Not necessarily.
For many years, black-and-white patterns have been recommended because newborns have immature vision and can more easily distinguish bold, high-contrast shapes than subtle, low-contrast images.
More recent research suggests the picture is a little more nuanced.
A 2026 study from researchers at the University of Sussex found that infants, ages 2 to 12 months, were visually engaged by images with strong contrast, bold colors, and simple shapes. The findings suggest that under the conditions tested, simple, high-contrast colorful images could be as or more visually engaging than achromatic images (Newman et al., 2026).
That's why you'll find both classic black-and-white designs and thoughtfully selected color palettes throughout the Gabo Baby collection, as seen below. Our goal is to create products inspired by what researchers have learned about early infant vision while offering designs parents genuinely love to carry every day.
What the Research Does Not Say
At Gabo Baby, we believe it's just as important to be honest about what the evidence doesn't show.
Current research does not demonstrate that simply looking at a high-contrast phone case improves brain development, increases intelligence, or accelerates developmental milestones.
Our phone cases are inspired by established research on infant visual preferences, not intended to function as medical devices, developmental therapies, or educational tools.
Every baby develops differently, and individual responses will naturally vary.
About This Page
This educational resource was researched and written by the founder of Gabo Baby, a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP). It is based on peer-reviewed scientific literature and is intended to provide general educational information. This is not medical advice or individualized healthcare recommendations.
References below are provided for transparency and further reading
Brown, A. M., & Lindsey, D. T. (2009). Contrast insensitivity: the critical immaturity in infant visual performance. Optometry and vision science: official publication of the American Academy of Optometry, 86(6), 572-576. https://doi.org/10.1097/OPX.0b013e3181a72980
Morison, V., & Slater, A. (1985). Contrast and spatial frequency components in visual preferences of newborns. Perception, 14(3), 345-348. https://doi.org/10.1068/p140345
Newman, T.J., McAdams, P., Terry, K., Potter, T., & Franklin, A. (2026). The role of color, contrast, and spatial complexity in infants' visual engagement with board and picture book images. Journal of experimental child psychology, 266, 106472. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2026.106472