For the first few weeks, these abilities pretty much restrict your baby’s daily activities to eating, looking, sleeping, peeing and pooping.

Yet, as limited as your baby’s brain is, it has one more truly surprising talent…the ability to learn!

Babies’ Innate Ability to Learn

Our little ones begin to recognize the voices and music they hear in the womb. And after birth, babies quickly learn to distinguish the scent of their mom’s milk from another mom’s. They also learn to coo and squirm the moment they see Dad’s smiling face…even before his tickling fingers start poking them.

The way babies learn—sifting through and filing away each day’s huge silo full of new experiences—is probably why they have five times more REM sleep than we do.

Since babies are such great learners, you’d think that they ought to be able to learn to sleep better. In fact, they can! Teaching your baby good sleep cues is key to helping her snooze better!

How to Help Your Baby Learn:

About Dr. Harvey Karp

Dr. Harvey Karp, one of America’s most trusted pediatricians, is the founder of Happiest Baby and the inventor of the groundbreaking SNOO Smart Sleeper. After years of treating patients in Los Angeles, Dr. Karp vaulted to global prominence with the release of the bestselling Happiest Baby on the Block and Happiest Toddler on the Block. His celebrated books and videos have since become standard pediatric practice, translated into more than 20 languages and have helped millions of parents. Dr. Karp’s landmark methods, including the 5 S’s for soothing babies, guide parents to understand and nurture their children and relieve stressful issues, like new-parent exhaustion, infant crying, and toddler tantrums.

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.