One wonders though if it is really empathy? Babies would be hardwired to SURVIVE... and siding with a helper, is survival in my book. Back when we evolved, life was tenuous and injuries, accidents, happen and would orphan little ones easily!

Reminds me of a psychiatrist who used to come in to talk to me on Sundays.
She was in her 80's and mostly retired. And she liked supplements so we had a lot in common. I'll never forget the time she told me that research is showing, that aggression and hostility are learned before the age of 2. That preverbally babies and toddlers watch the interactions of parents and others and if exposed to violence, aggression, they learn those responses very early and repeat them.
This doctor went to all the lectures around the country. One day she came in and was very impressed... since I had told her a long time ago about Omega-3s and ADHD etc. She went to a lecture finally including THEM! It was a triumph for me to learn that some doctors were interested in this and applying it finally.