Researchers have made significant discoveries about infant brain development, revealing what happens to our memories when we’re just babies. While infants do form memories, studies show that the brain is unable to access and retrieve these early recollections as adults.
A recent study published in the journal Science examined 26 infants aged 4.2 to 24.9 months using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The researchers discovered that older infants exhibited more activity in the hippocampus, a region responsible for emotions, memory, and decision-making. This suggests that babies are encoding memories more effectively as they age.
However, despite this increased activity, infants under 12 months old were unable to recall familiar images shown to them earlier. Instead, their brains processed new stimuli with equal efficiency. Researchers believe that major brain changes occurring around 12 months old may contribute to this phenomenon.
The findings have implications for parents, who can encourage learning and memory development in their babies. Dr. Simona Ghetti, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Davis, advises parents to use repetition when engaging with their infants. “Using repetition with babies will open up a greater connection between parent and baby,” she said.
While we may not recall our earliest memories as adults, research suggests that we’re still learning from those experiences. This understanding can remind us that infancy is not idle time, but rather an opportunity for growth and development. By providing infants with opportunities for visual exploration, parents can help cultivate their learning skills.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/03/20/health/baby-infants-memories-hippocampus-wellness/index.html