Why Do Babies Sleep So Much? A Neuroscientist Explains

Have you ever wondered why your little one seems to spend most of their time asleep? Babies sleep extensively due to their rapid brain development and the need for neural maturation. In this blog post, we will explore the reasons behind their prolonged sleep, focusing on insights relevant to OtterSpace and its innovative sleep solutions.

1. Brain Development and Maturation

Newborns spend about 70% of their time asleep, which is crucial for brain development and maturation. Sleep plays a significant role in the consolidation of neural circuits and the processing of sensory information. During sleep, babies' brains are actively building and consolidating information, which is essential for their cognitive and motor development. This is one of the reasons sleep is often called "nutrition for the brain" at this stage of life.

Sleep in infancy isn’t just about rest, it’s an active state where the brain is busy forming the trillions of connections that lay the groundwork for everything from motor coordination to emotional regulation. During REM sleep, which dominates a newborn’s sleep cycle, the brain is firing rapidly, helping babies process new sensory experiences. At OtterSpace, we see this as a critical window for development, which is why we focus on creating products that support uninterrupted, high-quality sleep during this important time.

2. Sleep Stages and Architecture

Infants' sleep cycles differ significantly from adults'. Newborns primarily experience REM (active sleep) and NREM (quiet sleep), with REM accounting for about 50% of their sleep time. As they grow, their sleep architecture evolves to include more NREM stages, gradually resembling adult sleep patterns. This evolution is linked to changes in cortical activity, such as the appearance of sleep spindles during non-REM sleep, which are important for learning and memory consolidation.

In those early months, babies cycle between active and quiet sleep every 50 to 60 minutes, compared to adults who cycle every 90 minutes. REM sleep is particularly dominant early on because it’s believed to be essential for brain plasticity, helping babies adapt to the world around them. As babies mature, their sleep cycles lengthen, and they spend more time in the deeper stages of NREM sleep, which supports physical growth and immune function. At OtterSpace, we design blackout curtains that help minimize disruptions during these sleep cycles, so babies can stay asleep longer and move naturally into those deeper stages.

3. Learning and Memory Consolidation

Sleep is vital for infants' learning and memory. Research shows that napping enhances word learning and helps infants generalize concepts. The presence of sleep spindles during naps is associated with improved learning outcomes, suggesting that sleep plays a critical role in cognitive development.

What’s fascinating is that babies don’t just retain information during sleep; they also generalize what they’ve learned. Studies show that infants who nap after being introduced to new concepts, like distinguishing shapes or patterns, are better at applying that knowledge in new contexts. This makes consistent, high-quality sleep crucial not just for memory but for building flexible thinking skills later on.

4. Safety and Evolutionary Perspectives

Today’s safety recommendations emphasize room-sharing, especially during the first year. Research shows that room-sharing (but not sharing the same sleep surface) lowers the risk of SIDS and makes nighttime care easier without compromising safety. 

5. Innovative Sleep Solutions

At OtterSpace, we use these insights to create sleep solutions that support the unique needs of infants. Our goal is to design products that help babies establish healthy sleep patterns, making it easier for families to get the rest they need.