Are black-and-white contrast cards and 'brain-boosting' products worth buying for my newborn?

Newborns can see only 8–12 inches away, and they are attracted to high-contrast patterns (black and white) because their retinas are still developing. Simple contrast cards or images hung near the changing table can capture their attention and support visual development. However, you do not need expensive products. A hand-drawn bullseye on white paper, a striped sock on your hand, or your own face (the highest-contrast pattern a newborn sees) work just as well. Products marketed as 'brain-boosting' for newborns prey on parental anxiety. The evidence-based brain boosters for newborns are free: responsive caregiving, skin-to-skin contact, talking and singing, and adequate sleep. No product can substitute for a loving, attentive caregiver. Save your money for later needs. Consult your pediatrician about age-appropriate developmental stimulation — they will not recommend branded products.