This paper reviews some studies related to the ontogeny of olfactory competence in humans from the foetal – neonatal to the pubertal period. Psychophysical and hedonk studies of developing olfactory function demonstrate keen detection and discrimination abilities from birth onwards. Although the sensory parameters of infantile olfaction nearly equal those of mature function, developmental processes seemingly act upon the hedonic integration of odours. From the first post-natal week, infants rely on this olfactory competence in social contexts: olfactory cues derived from conspecifics' body chemistry are used to differentiate familiar from unfamiliar individuals or kin from non-kin. Additional studies are needed, however, to demonstrate an early recognition of olfactory individuality by young infants. The infants' discriminative performance in regard to social odours and the incentive value they assign to them are progressively specified in close relationship with the earliest social experiences. To date, the salience of olfactory stimulations has been poorly documented in the infants' normal life. But clinical evidence underlines their potential involvement (i) in the earliest infant–mother bonding processes, (ii) in the infant's emotional homeostasis and (iii) in the child's interactional adjustments.