Topic - Babies Perk Up to Ancient Threats.  Deep in our skulls, we have the remains of our ancient, primitive brain. 

This brain is wired to make infants pay special attention to those sounds that signal a threat to safety and survival from the caveman days. 

The snap of a fire, the hiss of a snake, a clap of thunder and angry voices caused early man to stop and look around for danger. 

Today’s infants startle at these same sounds, but don’t respond to modern threats like sirens or glass breaking.  Why? 

Since the auditory system is very mature at birth and the visual system needs time to mature, it’s thought that babies are wired to sense threatening sounds. 

Although they can do nothing to defend themselves, their cries of distress mobilize adults to take action. 

When your baby cries, you may be witnessing their ancient brain responding to those early sounds of danger.