Restorative sleep is deep, good-quality sleep that supports the body's physical and mental recovery.
Restorative sleep refers to deep, good-quality sleep that helps the body and brain recover. It is the kind of sleep associated with feeling genuinely rested, as opposed to sleep that is light, broken or insufficient.
Which sleep stages are involved?
Restorative sleep is linked particularly to the deeper, non-REM stages of the sleep cycle, during which much of the body's physical repair is thought to take place. REM sleep, which is more active, is associated with brain development and processing — so both quality and the balance of sleep stages matter.
Why does it matter for babies?
Adequate, good-quality sleep supports growth, mood and development in infants and young children. When sleep is frequently broken, a child may spend enough total time asleep but get less benefit from it, which is part of why sleep coaching focuses on the quality and continuity of sleep, not just the hours.
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