Can very young babies be scared of the dark?

[Wildpoppy]

My two week old doesn't like to sleep when the light is off but is okay when there is a low level lamp - could she be afraid of the dark or is this ridiculous? I always thought phobias were learnt behavior so interested to know what others think.

I'm not sure, but my DS (now 7 months) does not like being in very dark rooms either, especially when trying to get him to sleep. He will cry if you carry him in to a dark room, but will stop when you leave. Must be something in it. You would think they would like the dark having spent all that time in the womb, but guess now they have opened their eyes, they like to be able to see!

We use a night light and it seems to help.