Why don't we have memories of our babyhoods? nt

[raccoon]

[khashka]

1. Language

A big part of memory requires language, without it it's difficult to remember.

Images, sounds, smells, sure. But without words to explain them, they are just random.

Khash.

[unpossibles]

2. I'm not sure I'd want to remember most of it

going to the bathroom on myself? Being cranky, tired, and hungry all the time?

Oh wait, that was college. My bad. I do remember that.

[ismnotwasm]

3. I think certain areas of the brain

Involving memory and cognition aren't developed in infants-- I'd have to Wiki it to remember-- There are exceptions though.

[LeftyFingerPop]

4. I have 2 brief flashes of memory from that time...

1) A soft sheet or blanket drifting down toward my face as my mom tucked me in my crib.

2) Sitting in a high chair, trying to reach for a beige wall phone.

[auntAgonist]

5. I don't think I wore a hood when I was a baby.

I can't remember :)

seriously though, I have often wondered the same question.

aA

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

14. ...

[BrotherBuzz]

6. I don't remember the first year because...

I hadn't thought about memorizing anything at that age. I discovered memory about the same time I learned to walk, I forget exactly when, but I've never forgotten how to walk.

[mulsh]

7. I have clear memories from about 6 months old on

not consecutive memories. when I was in my 20's I described the decorations from my nursery from memory, including a birdie mobile that hung over my crib which one of my great uncles destroyed when I was about 8 month old. My mother was amazed that I remembered this stuff. of course I can't remember what I had for dinner a couple of days ago or peoples names. guess memory is selective.

[Genevieve]

8. I do too -- nt

[GoddessOfGuinness]

9. I have a few memories...

Speaking of hoods...I remember being wrapped in a hooded towel. It was a nice sensation. I also remember the feeling of a flannel blanket.

And I remember a carseat I used that had a steering wheel, horn, and even little gear shift and turn signal knobs. I couldn't have been much older than 2, because my mom said she stopped using the car seat when I was 3. I watched my dad, and tried to "drive" exactly as he did, though I wasn't aware of a need to do anything with my feet. I can't remember whether I tried to mimic his traffic language or not.

That car seat wouldn't cut today's safety inspections, there's no doubt in my mind. We didn't have seat belts back then...just a rope on the back of the front seat to hold on to. :)

[Boudica the Lyoness]

10. My memories started at birth

I remember being born. Really I do. I remember the room I slept in as a new born. I was born at home. A few years ago I drew the room as I remembered it for my mother. My crib/cot, their bed, where the window was, the color of the wall paper. I got it right. I remember so much of my b'hood, including learning to walk. We moved out of that house when I was 3 and remember that day so well. My short term memory is shit though.

[Orrex]

18. If true, then you should mention this to a neurologist

It would be close to unprecedented.

I have vivid memories from a few months before my 3rd birthday, but that's as far back as I go.

[DarkTirade]

11. The human brain works by associating things with other things.

That's all it ever does. So our memories are really a collection of comparisons. So when we don't have much in there yet to compare things to... we don't have anything that'll stand out enough to be remembered.

[Lil Missy]

12. I'd be happy to remember what I had for lunch yesterday!

Or wait ... did I even have lunch?

[KamaAina]

13. 'Cause we all get abducted by aliens from Area 51 as toddlers?

So the baby memories can be erased? :tinfoilhat:

[DarkTirade]

16. That's just silly.

That doesn't happen until we become teenagers.

[zanne]

15. Because we were dropped on our heads too often. nt

[DarkTirade]

17. Hey, speak for yourself.

I was dropped on my head just the right amount!