Unlocking the Mystery of Mommy Brain - Episode 79

What's Up Wednesdays!

Welcome back to For the Love of Parenting! Last week, we talked about brain development and your baby’s first 1,000 days. This week, we’re shifting the lens to your brain.

We’ll explore what researchers now know about so-called “mommy brain”—the very real and remarkable brain remodeling that happens during pregnancy and postpartum. Instead of seeing forgetfulness as a flaw, you’ll learn how these changes make you more responsive, more attuned, and better equipped to care for your baby.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How a mother’s brain physically and functionally changes during pregnancy and postpartum
• Why some of these changes last well beyond the newborn stage
• How your brain and your baby’s brain “co-rise” during the first 1,000 days
• Why you can’t spoil a newborn with too much love and attention
• Everyday tips to support your brain health and reframe “mommy brain” as a superpower

Resources & References:

• Hoekzema et al., Nature Neuroscience (2016, 2024) – MRI studies on maternal brain changes
• JAMA Neurology (2023) – reframing “mommy brain” as adaptation
• Harvard Center on the Developing Child – serve-and-return interactions
• Cusick & Georgieff (2016) – the first 1,000 days and brain development

Deeper Dive:

• From Womb to Two: The Critical Window of Brain Growth - Episode 78

Tune in and take heart: your brain is not broken, it’s beautifully adapting to the incredible role of parenthood.

Contact:
For The Love of Parenting Podcast - Sponsored by Pregnancy Concepts LLC

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Remember, as parents, do your best—there are no perfect parents, but countless ways to be loving and supportive. Signing off from the For Love of Parenting podcast. Thanks for listening. Until next time.