Listen, if you've ever found yourself putting the milk in the cupboard and the cereal in the fridge, you're not alone! As someone who was already known for being a bit scatter-brained before pregnancy, when "baby brain" hit, I thought, "Oh great, just what I needed—an upgrade to my natural dizzyness!"
So What Is "Baby Brain"?
Let's get scientific for a minute (if I can remember the facts, that is! 😉). Research shows that up to 80% of pregnant women experience some form of cognitive changes during pregnancy and early motherhood. And no, we're not making it up—studies using MRI scans have shown that pregnancy actually changes our brain structure, particularly in regions involved in social cognition and empathy. Clever body, preparing us for motherhood!
When "Mum Brain" Hits Different
I'll be honest—while I can laugh about booking flights for a holiday from two different airports and not realising until the day we flew (true story), there have been moments when baby brain has really knocked my confidence. Studies show that 50-70% of new mums report feeling less competent at work due to cognitive changes. We're talking:
Memory gaps that make you question if you're losing it
Brain fog that turns simple decisions into mental marathons
Concentration levels that rival a goldfish
Why Does This Happen? (Spoiler: It's Not Just Sleep Deprivation)
Here's the fascinating bit—our brains are literally remodeling themselves. During pregnancy and early motherhood, our grey matter decreases in certain areas to strengthen the parts responsible for:
Emotional intelligence
Social interaction
Threat detection
Maternal attachment
Basically, our brains are reorganising themselves, sparking joy by keeping only what we need for this new chapter of life!
My Top Survival Strategies (From One Foggy Brain to Another)
Embrace the Power of Lists: Your phone is your new best friend. I have lists for my lists, and reminders for my reminders. No shame in my organisation game!
(Although, I’ve had to learn to put my phone down when I don’t need it! Using your phone is great for keep you organized—but don’t become so attached to it that it never leaves your hand)
Create Fool-Proof Systems Keys always go in the same spot (not the fridge). Important documents have a home.
Create systems that work for you. I bought a cute calendar at the start of the year, wrote everyone's birthdays and events in it, and hung it on the kitchen wall right in front of the coffee machine. Do I ever look at it? NO! I’ve missed SO MANY birthdays... Put your efforts into something you know you’ll use.
Practice Self-Compassion On days when you feel like you're failing because you can't remember your own phone number, remember this: your brain isn't broken—it's busy building a whole new operating system.
Be kind to yourself and show yourself the compassion you deserve.
Find Your Mum Squad There's nothing better than sharing your "baby brain moments" with other mums who get it. Trust me, their stories will make you feel like a genius!
The Silver Lining (Because There Always Is One)
Here's what I've learned through all the forgotten appointments and misplaced car keys: this "mum brain" thing? It's actually a superpower in disguise. While we might forget where we put our coffee (it's in the microwave, by the way—for the third time today), we're developing enhanced emotional intelligence and intuition that makes us better parents, partners, and professionals.
Research shows that these brain changes can persist for years after pregnancy, but here's the good news: they're associated with stronger maternal attachment and better social cognition. So while we might feel less sharp in some ways, we're actually becoming more emotionally intelligent and adaptable.
The Bottom Line
Yes, baby brain can make you feel like you're starring in your own comedy show some days. But remember this: you're not losing your mind – you're expanding it. Your brain is literally rewiring itself to help you become the amazing parent your little one needs.
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