"Mommy Brain": A Real and Temporary Postpartum Experience

Have you ever put your keys in the fridge? Or spent ages hunting for your glasses when they were on your head the whole time? Maybe you've gone to the mall and forgotten why you went, or you're standing in the parking lot wondering where you parked the car. If this sounds familiar, you may have what's known as mommy brain.

It's often considered a joke, but "mommy brain" or "baby brain" is a real phenomenon with a scientific basis. These cognitive shifts are normal and may start during pregnancy and continue long after your baby is born.

What Is “Mommy Brain”?

Mommy brain refers to the mental fog and memory lapses that many women experience during pregnancy and after having a baby. This sense of forgetfulness typically begins in the first trimester of pregnancy and continues for months postpartum. These feelings can be frustrating, especially when paired with the demands of caring for a newborn and adjusting to a new role as a parent. The good thing is, mommy brain is normal and doesn't last forever. There is nothing wrong with you!

The Science Behind Mom Brain

Lack of sleep certainly plays a significant role in postpartum forgetfulness. As a new mother, you can feel overtired and stressed due to the constant 24-hour demands of your newborn, especially if this is your first baby. But sleeplessness isn't the only reason for your absentmindedness.

Hormones, especially estrogen and progesterone, plummet after birth, which contributes to several of your cognitive symptoms (Brunton & Russell, 2008). There is also significant grey matter loss in areas of the brain related to social cognition, memory, and learning (Hoekzema et al., 2017). Interestingly enough, this reduction serves an adaptive purpose.

Why Mommy Brain May Help You

While the idea of losing grey matter might sound scary, it can help you bond with your baby. Enhanced function in areas of the brain which regulate emotion, reward, and attachment boosts your ability to respond to your baby’s needs, strengthens emotional connection, and improves caregiving behaviours (Kim et al., 2010).

In essence, mommy brain may enhance your emotional intelligence and instinctual responses, even if you can't remember where you put your keys.

How Long Does Mom Brain Last?

Cognitive changes during and after pregnancy don’t last forever, but some of the structural brain changes can last up to two years postpartum (Hoekzema et al., 2017). However, most moms say that the worst of the brain fog lifts within the first few months.

A study from Purdue University even showed that, in the long run, moms do just as well or even better on focus tasks compared to women without kids (de Groot et al., 2020). So you might react a bit slower, but you'll usually be more careful and precise.

Embrace the chaos that mommy brain brings.

Tips for Coping with Mommy Brain

Although you can’t stop mommy brain entirely, there are ways to manage its effects:

1. Be nice to yourself. Seriously. It's okay to forget things. This is temporary.

2. Stay organized. Use lists, reminders on your phone, or sticky notes to help you keep track of the important things.

3. Talk to other moms. It helps to know you're not alone.

4. Rest. Sleep may be a distant memory, but nap when you can or ask someone to watch the baby for a bit. It does help.

5. Hang in there. It does end. Your brain is changing for important reasons, and you're an amazing mom.

   
   

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Mommy brain can be confusing and frustrating, especially when you're already swamped with a new baby. However, this brain fog is normal. Remember, your brain is just rewiring itself to help you be a great mom and bond with your little one. With time, rest, and self-compassion, the fog will lift and your sharpness will return. Until then, give yourself grace. You're not losing your mind, you’re gaining a new perspective!

Parent Resources

Pregnancy brain, or mommy brain, is the fogginess and memory loss that occurs in mothers during and after pregnancy.

References

Brunton, P. J., & Russell, J. A. (2008). The expectant brain: Adapting for motherhood. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 9(1), 11–25. https://doi.org/10.1038/nrn2280

de Groot, R. H. M., Vuurman, E. F. P. M., Hornstra, G., & Jolles, J. (2020). Differences in cognitive performance during pregnancy and early motherhood. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 42(2), 141–155. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16515736/

Hoekzema, E., Barba-Müller, E., Pozzobon, C., Picado, M., Lucco, F., García-García, D., ... & Carmona, S. (2017). Pregnancy leads to long-lasting changes in human brain structure. Nature Neuroscience, 20(2), 287–296. https://doi.org/10.1038/nn.4458

Kim, P., Leckman, J. F., Mayes, L. C., Feldman, R., Wang, X., & Swain, J. E. (2010). The plasticity of human maternal brain: Longitudinal changes in brain anatomy during the early postpartum period. Behavioral Neuroscience, 124(5), 695–700. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0020884