Deal with the problem of “Mommy brain”

The term mommy brain might seem like a frivolous excuse to cover the forgetfulness, but surely it is not. Momnesia or mommy brain, which is referred to as being spaced out and forgetful after embracing motherhood is a real thing and even science backs it.

Understanding mommy brain

The term mom brain or momnesia is used to describe the spacey, sleep-deprived state when new moms tend to forget things and often appear absent-minded. This is common after pregnancy and sometimes lasts for more than five months after delivery. Motherhood has a permanent impact on cognitive function. It can trigger brain growth and even lead to changes in the area responsible for social cognition or empathy. Studies said that these kinds of changes even take place in a father's brain too.

What leads to the mommy brain?

There are more than one thing that can lead to mommy brain. First and foremost is a demand for caring for the newborn for which you often have to sacrifice your sleep. This leads to brain drain, making you more absent-minded. Apart from this, pregnant moms undergo neurobiological changes in the brain during and after pregnancy, which impact their memory. Their priority is the newborn child, so the rest of the things become a little foggy.

How to deal with mommy brain

Even though we know that little forgetfulness is a part of embracing motherhood, it becomes frustrating to forget important tasks at times. It is nothing serious or anything to worry about. You cannot escape from this side-effect of pregnancy; you can only try to deal with it in a better way. Here are a few tips that might help.

Maintain a to-do list

The best way to deal with forgetfulness is to maintain a to-do list when you have to remember a lot of things. Keep a notepad and paper around you, so you can immediately take a note when something important is to be remembered. You can also set an alarm or reminder in your phone for important tasks. This will help to keep you organised and you feel less pressured to remember every detail.

Get plenty of sleep

Sleep deprivation is common in the first few months after the delivery. Your sleep time actually starts depending on your newborn sleep cycle. In the long term, it becomes tiring and dreadful. Getting plenty of rest is important for the normal functioning of your brain and body. Plan your sleep cycle as per your little ones. The best thing is to ask for help.

Don't be hard on yourself

It is normal to experience such changes after pregnancy and you are not responsible for it. So, do not engage in negative talk and blame yourself for being a little absent-minded. Have a little patience and plan your day well in advance to avoid any kind of last-minute chaos.

Engage in a physical and mental workout

Whenever you get time, engage in some physical and memory-boosting activities. You could do crossword puzzles, play brain-training games or perform some physical activities. Maintaining your physical and mental health can help to reduce the episodes of forgetfulness.