You're a new mom ... and a forgetful one at that. But, that was never the case before Baby. Maybe it's what everyone is talking about these days ... "mom brain." Could this be what's going on with all the mothers around the world who seem to forget stuff all the time after having a baby?
A recent incident involving a mother and her baby at the airport may frighten you into to being more aware of your own situation: A mom boarding a flight to Malaysia demands the plane turn around because she left her baby at the terminal.
According to an article on Psychology Today, "The Science of 'Mom Brain,'" recent research suggests that a woman’s brain actually does change after giving birth for the first time. "In ways that might promote caring for her child. Researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona scanned the brains of a group of women before and after they gave birth, and found changes in the structure of their brains that were long-lasting, remaining for at least two years."
"We can’t, of course, blame our brains completely — a big part of 'mom brain' probably just comes with being overwhelmed by new and challenging responsibilities that invade the same space where our old responsibilities still reside," continues the article. "We may never return to our pre-mom brains, but our new brains — forgetfulness, emotionality and all — might end up helping us become good, responsive parents."
However, this forgetfulness may start during pregnancy. "Many women find themselves very frustrated by the onset of 'pregnancy brain,' which makes them so forgetful that they might not remember what they're talking about halfway through a sentence," say Paula Amato, M.D., and Maggie Blott, MBBS, editors of Pregnancy Day by Day (DK; 2018). But, don't worry as it is only temporary. The only other worry is that it could last until your child's first birthday. This could be the result of sleep deprivation during the first year of motherhood.
Tips to Help in the Meantime
- Make lists at the beginning of the day.
- Check tasks off as you go.
- Delegate at home and work when you can.
- Don't try to multitask.