Mommy Brain is Real
It started some time after your first child. Starved for sleep and a little shell shocked from the changes a new little one makes in your life, your brain seems to change overnight. You forget where you left your coffee cup (in the microwave,) you're super emotional, and god forbid you hear about a child close to your child's age getting hurt or killed in the news.
These changes don't go away. Even if you were the most organized person ever before you had a child, you suddenly start getting later and later to appointments. You cry when a dog dies in a movie, even though you weren't even a dog person before your kids. All of these things are your new normal, and it has a term. Mom Brain.
You're not alone, and this phenomenon is actually a real thing backed by science. Researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona decided to make this their latest topic of research. They scanned the brains of pregnant women before they gave birth, and again afterwards.
The scans showed that becoming a mother altered the physical structure of the brain. These changes were long lasting, lasting as long as two years after the birth of the child. (And although this wasn't part of the research, some moms will probably tell you they still have mom-brain and their kids have grown up. It happens.)
Scientists aren't sure why this happens yet. Their best guess is that these changes occur so that women can better understand the needs of their child. When your baby is unable to speak for itself, greater empathy can help us step into their shoes, and clue in on what might be wrong.
In another fascinating study in 2016, scientists discovered that women aren't the only ones that can have brain-altering effects caused by children. Dads can also have changes, especially if they are the primary care givers. The more care dad's provide to their child, the more their brains changed to look like moms. Researchers think this may provide the same benefits of empathy that allow dads to understand what their babies need for the best possible care.
If you've ever suffered from mom-brain, whether you are a mom or a dad, take heart. According to the best research, this is normal, and may even be beneficial. After all, the one thing that links all parents together is that we would do anything for our children. If altering our brains helps us take better care of our kids, so much the better.
You may not remember where you left that coffee cup (seriously, check the microwave,) but you'll know when your kid is crying unconsolably it is because he's got an itchy spot under his diaper and can't get to it no matter what.
It's not quite super powers, but it is a cool part of parenting that we should embrace and accept, emotional movie watching and all.
Read more by clicking on the links below:
Brain changes during pregnancy