4. Helps Them Learn Better

Sleep is an important aid in the learning process of babies. This was further proved by a study conducted on 15-month old babies. Researchers used an artificial language to teach babies word pairings. Some of the babies were then given a nap while others weren’t. They found that the babies that napped were not only able to remember the word pairings but also learn abstract relations between those words (like rules of grammar, etc.). The babies that did not nap, however, were only able to remember the word pairings.

In another study, a sequence of familiar sounds was played as the babies slept. These were then interspersed with a strange sound that would be new to them. They found that the sleeping babies registered surprise when then these new sounds appeared, indicating that they were taking in outside stimulus and learning even while they sleep.