Seven-year-old big sister Lilyan gives 10-month-old Ruby a cuddle / Pic: Taylor Adam Source: The Daily Telegraph TEN-month-old Ruby can speak just three words but scientists believe babies of her age can show sympathy. The ability to display sympathy was previously thought to start at 18 months but research has found it begins as early as 10 months. Even non-verbal infants show sympathy for victims of aggression, according to research published in PLOS ONE journal. Tuning into the emotional states of others "may function as a foundation for full-fledged sympathetic behaviour later on," the scientists said. Mother-of-two Leanne Roberts believes babies "go out in sympathy" when they see other babies upset: "At mothers' group if one of them cries, it can set a couple of them off." She said Ruby already demonstrates tenderness and an ability to comfort.