Week 26 of Pregnancy: A Lettuce, and the Week the Baby's Eyes Open
Key takeaways
- By week 26, the baby is about 35.6cm long, roughly the size of a lettuce.
- The baby's eyes are opening for the first time this week, though blinking is a skill still to be learned.
- Eye colour at birth doesn't necessarily predict final eye colour — it can keep changing until around age 3.
- A quiet, expected week with nothing standout is a completely normal way for this stage to go.
- Continuing your established routine matters more than looking for a new milestone every single week.
Week 25 brought a small, funny moment with movement and my husband’s hand. Week 26 was quieter for us day to day, even though something genuinely notable was happening out of sight.
What’s actually happening in your body
The baby is now around 35.6cm long, roughly the size of a lettuce. This is the week the baby’s eyes are opening for the first time, with blinking as the next skill to develop. Eye colour at birth doesn’t necessarily settle right away either — it can keep changing over the following months, usually landing on its final shade by around age 3, according to NHS guidance on week 26 of pregnancy.
What I actually felt
Everything was going as expected, and nothing in particular stood out this week. If your week 26 feels similarly routine, that’s a normal and honestly reassuring way for things to go — not every week needs to bring something new to notice.
Nutrition focus this week
No changes from earlier weeks beyond whatever guidance you’re following if you’ve had a gestational diabetes diagnosis. Otherwise, keep up with your prenatal vitamin and the general guidance in our foods and drinks to limit or avoid during pregnancy.
What to discuss with your doctor or midwife
Nothing specific is required this week beyond your usual routine questions and continuing to note your baby’s movement pattern.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal for a week to feel completely routine at this stage?
Yes, very. Plenty of weeks in the second and third trimester pass without anything dramatic happening, and that’s a good, unremarkable sign rather than something to worry about.
Do the baby’s eyes actually open this early?
Yes — the eyes open for the first time around week 26, though blinking develops afterward as a separate skill.
Will my baby’s eye colour at birth be permanent?
Not necessarily. Eye colour can continue to change for months after birth and often doesn’t settle into its final shade until around age 3.
What size is the baby at week 26?
About 35.6cm long, roughly the size of a lettuce.
References
- NHS — Your Pregnancy and Baby Guide, Week 26. nhs.uk
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