It is my belief that the interest infants show in black and white (and sometimes red) toys is nothing other than the contrast that is missing in so many of the pastel colors of most infant's surroundings.

Frequently, baby rooms are decorated in either pink or baby blue, depending on the sex of the child. Clothing is similar. When parents choose not to be told the sex of their infant, they frequently end up with mint green and light yellow clothes. Babies seem to wear a lot of white, also.

Many of the stuffed animals for babies are equally pastel. When babies are first born, and even for some time after birth, their eyesight is fuzzy and not near as sharp as it becomes over time. It is my guess that these black and white toys, mobiles, etc. are doing nothing more than adding a splash of contrast virtually missing in the places where an infant spends much of his time, the bedroom.

I also believe that this contrast mimics the dark eyes against the lighter skin of the baby's parents, siblings, and sometimes even pets, drawing the eyes of the infant to the eyes of someone looking at him or her or reacting with him or her. (Mouths are similar.) These are moving, interesting curiosities for a baby, so he or she shows more interest in these things over pastel "items" that are more passive and probably, therefore, more boring.

Learn more about this author, Rosemarie Schaut.
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