Yes, they can! A study conducted by researchers at the University of Sussex, led by Anna Franklin, explored how infants discern colors. Using a technique called novelty preference, the study involved showing babies familiar and new hues to measure their reactions. The findings revealed that babies can categorize five distinct color groups: red, yellow, green, blue, and purple. This suggests that infants have an inherent ability to differentiate colors, independent of language development. The study provides insights into how the human brain processes and categorizes color from an early age​.

The study primarily focuses on babies aged four to six months. There is less information on newborns, but it is generally believed that their color perception is less developed than that of older infants. Newborns are likely able to recognize only strong contrasts and basic colors like black, white, and red. The ability to distinguish a broader spectrum of colors develops in the first few months of life.

Study from 1994 by Russell J. Adams*†, Mary L. Courage*, Michele E. Mercer*

Systematic measurement of human neonatal color vision

We used a new time-efficient method to evaluate chromatic-achromatic discrimination in newborn (n = 36) and 1-month-old (n = 34) human infants. Results showed that 74% of newtons discriminated a 10.5 × 17.5 deg broadband red patch from all relative luminances of an achromatic background, but only 14% of newborns did so with a blue, 36% with a green and 25% with a yellow patch. Most infants who “failed” did so at relative luminances very close to the respective photopic luminance match. At 1 month, performance improved somewhat although infants still show clear evidence of discriminating only the red patch. These results, the first to be obtained from individual newborns with a method incorporating a systematic variation of luminance, imply that early color vision is very limited. Possible photoreceptoral and neural bases for these immaturities are discussed.

National Libary of Medicine: Infant color perception: Insight into preceptual development

We recommend using the towel to wrap your baby in right after birth, as it is familiar with the color environment of the womb and studies have shown that it helps the baby transition more calmly into the new world. Of course, the towel is also perfect as a bath towel for the coming months and years.

Our producer recommended washing the towel at 30 degrees, which is why you’ll find this instruction on the care label. In our tests, we washed the towel at 60 degrees and then dried it in the dryer, and had good results. Just make sure to wash the towel with dark laundry, as it may cause discoloration.