Do you really have Baby Brain?

“Baby brain”, also known as “mommy brain”, “pregnancy brain” or “momnesia,” is often characterized by increased forgetfulness of appointments, dates and names, and a loss of focus on things other than the baby. Around 70% of pregnant individuals have memory complaints, but when tested in a laboratory setting, no cognitive deficits are seen. In fact, pregnant individuals showed better long-term memory and ease at learning and retaining new information about baby-related items (1,2).

While brain volume does decrease during pregnancy, it bounces back within 2 years after giving birth. In fact, these changes in grey matter are not a sign of decline but rather a natural process that enhances communication between different brain regions. This “rewiring” fosters greater attachment with the baby and supports the emotional and cognitive shifts needed for caregiving (3-11).

Believing in “mommy brain” can make people more aware of forgetfulness, reinforcing the idea that it’s real. It also ignores the physical and mental load of pregnancy and parenting, which can explain why focus and memory may feel different (1).

It’s time to rethink the narrative around “baby brain”. Instead of viewing it as a deficit, we can appreciate it as an example of the brain’s adaptability – a natural, temporary rewiring to meet the demands of a new life stage (1).