Newborns And Blinking: What's Normal?

It is normal for newborns to blink less than adults. While adults blink about 10 to 15 times a minute, newborns blink far less often, with some babies blinking as infrequently as once a minute. This may be because infants' eyes are better protected by smaller openings or because they sleep more, requiring less eye lubrication. Another theory is that infants, with their brand-new vision, have to work hard to process all the visual information they are taking in.

Newborns blink less than twice a minute

Firstly, blinking helps lubricate the eyes by spreading tears over their surface. Newborns' eyes are smaller and sleep a lot more than adults, so their eyes may not require as much lubrication, leading to less frequent blinking.

Secondly, infants are exposed to a vast amount of new visual information, and their ability to see is still developing. They may blink less to take in as much visual information as possible. This theory is supported by the observation that people of all ages blink less when engaged in visually demanding tasks.

Additionally, dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain, is linked to blinking. Dopamine-related conditions and drugs that affect dopamine levels also change blinking rates. Therefore, the reduced blinking rate in newborns could be due to their still-developing dopamine systems.

While the exact reasons for newborns' low blinking rate are not fully understood, it is a normal occurrence, and there is no cause for concern. As children grow, their blinking rate gradually increases, reaching the adult rate of 10 to 15 times per minute by adolescence.

Blinking protects eyes from dryness and bright light

Blinking is a natural reflex that protects the eyes from dryness and bright light. It is also essential for keeping the eyes lubricated and healthy. While blinking is often done subconsciously, it can also be done on command.

The average adult blinks about 14 to 17 times a minute, but this rate varies depending on the situation. For instance, we blink less when reading or when we sense possible danger. We also blink more when talking, nervous, or in pain.

The primary function of blinking is to spread tears over the eyes' surface, keeping them lubricated and removing dust and other irritants. This protective layer of tears also provides oxygen and nutrients to the eyes. Additionally, blinking helps to adjust the tear film on the eye, which nourishes and cleanses its surface.

Newborns and infants blink far less frequently than adults, with a rate of only about two times per minute. This rate gradually increases with age, reaching the adolescent rate of 14 to 17 times per minute.

The reduced blinking rate in newborns is believed to be related to their still-developing vision. With their brand-new sight, infants must work harder to process visual information, leading to less frequent blinking. Additionally, their smaller eyes may not require as much lubrication as adult eyes.

Blinking is linked to dopamine function

Blinking is a normal reflex that protects the eyes from dryness, bright light, and objects coming towards them. It also helps adjust the tear film on the eye, which nourishes and cleanses its surface. Newborns usually blink at a rate of two times per minute, which increases to 14-17 times per minute in adolescence and remains at this rate throughout life.

While the primary purpose of blinking is to protect the eyes, it is also regulated by the brain's dopamine, a neurotransmitter that allows brain cells to communicate. Studies have shown that conditions or drugs that affect dopamine also change blinking rates. For example, people with schizophrenia, which may be caused in part by too much dopamine, blink more frequently. On the other hand, Parkinson's disease, caused by the death of dopamine-producing neurons, results in a decreased blinking rate.

The link between dopamine and blinking has led to the proposal of using spontaneous eye blink rate (EBR) as a non-invasive, inexpensive marker of dopamine functioning. However, the evidence across literature is inconsistent and incomplete, with a direct correlation between EBR and dopamine function only observed in non-human animals. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between blinking and dopamine function in humans fully.

Blinking helps babies process new visual information

It is normal for newborns to blink less than adults. While adults blink about 10 to 15 times a minute, newborns blink far less often, with some babies blinking as infrequently as once a minute.

Blinking is a reflex that protects the eyes from dryness, bright light, and objects coming towards them. It also helps adjust the tear film on the eye, which nourishes and cleanses the surface of the eye. However, babies' eyes may not need as much lubrication because they are smaller and sleep more than adults.

Another theory for why newborns blink less is that they are exposed to a lot of new visual information and have to work hard to process it. According to researcher Leigh Bacher, "When you do visually or attentionally demanding things, you tend to blink less." This theory is supported by the fact that blinking rates increase as babies grow up and their brains develop.

In summary, blinking helps babies process new visual information by reducing the amount of visual information they need to focus on at any given time. This allows them to make sense of their surroundings and may also play a role in brain development.

Blinking rate may be an indicator of autism spectrum disorder

It is normal for newborns to blink less than adults. While adults blink around 10 to 15 times a minute, newborns blink far less often, at a rate of about two to three times a minute. This rate steadily increases until adolescence, when individuals blink around 14 to 17 times per minute, which remains consistent throughout life.

Now, onto the topic of blinking rate and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Several studies have found that individuals with ASD exhibit higher blink rates compared to neurotypical individuals. For example, a study by Goldberg et al. (1987) found that low-functioning children with ASD had elevated blink rates compared to typically developing children. Similarly, a study by Krishnappa Babu et al. (2023) found that autistic toddlers had a higher mean blink rate than neurotypical toddlers. These findings suggest that increased blink rate may be a potential indicator of ASD.

The exact cause of the elevated blink rate in individuals with ASD is not fully understood. However, one theory suggests that it may be related to dopaminergic abnormalities. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that regulates blinking, and conditions or drugs affecting dopamine levels can also change blinking rates. For example, people with schizophrenia, which may be associated with high dopamine levels, blink more frequently. On the other hand, Parkinson's disease, characterised by low dopamine levels, results in decreased blinking.

While elevated blink rate may be a potential indicator of ASD, it is important to note that blinking is a complex behaviour influenced by various factors such as stress, anxiety, sensory sensitivities, and comorbid conditions. Therefore, more research is needed to fully understand the relationship between blinking rate and ASD.

Frequently asked questions