Yes, Mommy Brain is Real

Have you lost your laptop only to find it hours later in the linen closet? Did you pack for a weekend away only to discover you had all tops but no pants? Or maybe you spent 5 minutes looking for your cellphone just to find it was in your back pocket.

You might put it down to occasional forgetfulness on sleepless nights and new-parent stress. But if you feel spacey and absent-minded, you could have what some people refer to as mom brain.

Having mom brain is natural. Still, it can be frustrating to forget names or lose your keys. Luckily, you can train your new brain to get around it. Dr. Richter recommended these strategies:

Ask for help. “It does take a village to raise kids,” said Dr. Richter. “Know who is in your village, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you really need it. You can’t do it all.”

Nap more. Even a 15-minute cat nap can help. “Your body needs rest to get back into the game,” Dr. Richter explained. It’s not easy to get sleep as a new parent. Just do the best you can. If you can string together 3 or 4 hours of sleep at night, you’ll feel better, and your ability to concentrate will likely improve.

Try to move more. Exercise releases endorphins. It also offers you a much-needed break. “It forces you to just focus on you and your needs at that moment. There’s nothing you can do about the rest of the world while you’re exercising,” said Dr. Richter. “Many people have moments of clarity while they’re running or taking an exercise class.” Even if you can’t get to the gym, take your baby for a walk in the stroller. Or try a short video while they’re in their bouncy seat.

Use reminders. “You’re just not going to remember if you don’t write it down,” Dr. Richter said. Write down your to-dos, questions for your doctor, shopping lists, and anything else on your mind. Or store it all on a notes app on your phone. You can also set up digital alarms to remind yourself to do certain tasks. There’s no shame in having a backup.