The Bible does not specifically say what will happen to babies and young children at the rapture, but God’s justice and mercy give us reason to trust Him. Our focus should be on teaching children about Jesus and nurturing their faith.
The Bible does not explicitly state what will happen to babies and young children at the rapture, but passages like 2 Samuel 12:23 suggest that God may take them to be with Him. Key rapture passages (John 14:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) do not address this question. However, Jesus' atoning sacrifice covers all, including those unable to consciously place faith in Him (1 John 2:2). Regardless of what happens at the rapture, we can trust that God is good and faithful and will do what is right. Our priority should be in teaching children about Jesus, nurturing their faith, and trusting in God's justice and mercy.
An issue related to this question is the view held by some that only the children of believers will be taken in the rapture. This view is based on the faith of the parents rather than the grace of God. Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). It is not dependent on others but on Jesus alone. A parent's faith cannot save a child so a parent’s lack of faith can’t determine whether a child is taken in the rapture.
Another related issue is what some call the age of accountability. While all children are born with a sinful nature (Psalm 51:5), Jewish tradition held that a child became an adult at age thirteen. In other biblical passages, men were not counted as members of the nation of Israel until the age of twenty. Scripture doesn’t mention a specific age of accountability , and many people have come to faith in Jesus at a young age. Yet at times in the Bible, God treats young children differently from adults (Mark 9:42).
As parents, grandparents, family, and friends of children, we must teach young people the importance of believing in Jesus Christ at an early age. Samuel worshiped the Lord as a boy. David and King Josiah also obeyed the Lord in their youth. While the Bible offers hope for babies and young children to be with Jesus, it is also essential to, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).
Ultimately, while we trust in God's justice and mercy regarding the fate of children in the rapture, our responsibility remains clear—we must point them to Christ. Throughout Scripture, we see God working through the faith of the young, and it is our privilege to guide them toward a personal relationship with Jesus. Rather than speculating on matters not fully revealed, we should focus on sharing the gospel, nurturing faith, and praying that every child comes to know and trust in the Lord.