Momnesia! What is it? The term momnesia is a term first coined by pediatrician Dr. Tanya Altman. Momnesia refers to the memory challenges mommies face in their 26th week of conception through the first 6-12 months of motherhood. Additional insight was revealed by neuropsychiatrist Dr. Louann Brizendine. Brizendine is the founder of the Women’s and Teen Girls’ Mood and Hormone Clinic at the University of California, San Francisco and author of The Female Brain. In her book, Dr. Brizendine discusses the impact of the biological and hormonal changes motherhood brings. For example, she says a big boost in the feel-good hormone oxytocin and other changes contribute to a shift in a mother’s priorities. Dr. Brizendine, who jokingly refers to the entry to motherhood as the “invasion of the brain snatchers” writes, “The parts of the brain responsible for focus and concentration are preoccupied with protecting and tracking the newborn for the first six months.” She elaborates the additional oxytocin released during breast feeding can “heighten and prolong this unfocused state.” The severity varies from mom to mom.
What can you do about your Momnesia? Here are a few tips from Lehigh Valley Health Network’s to help you through your momnesiatic state:
Get more sleep. Adults should get seven-to-eight hours of sleep a night, but pregnant women often need more, especially during their first trimester. For more mommy sleep tips click here.
Coordinate with your spouse. Find time with your spouse to coordinate on a regular basis. Lack of coordination creates huge amounts of friction, stress, and forgetfulness. Try coordinating your week on Sunday afternoon. Do short reminder discussions on a regular basis during the week. For a mommy proven checklist for staying organized, click here.
Delegate. Ask friends, neighbors or family to help with cleaning, shopping and everyday tasks.
Eat a well-balanced diet. A variety of nutritious foods keeps you and baby healthy. To check out our nutrition tips for more energy and a better memory, click here.
Drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration can cause decreased memory and confusion. Here are some keys to maintain hydration. For keys to maintaining hydration, click here.
Take your vitamins. Pregnant women should take prenatal vitamins to ensure both mom and baby get the nutrients they need.
Get moving. Exercise is essential to decrease tiredness and make you feel mentally healthier. For mommy tested exercise ideas, click here.
Do yourself a favor, implement some of these recommendations. They will reduce some of your Momnesia, improve the quality of your life, and make you feel a whole lot better about yourself.
For more information on mommy memory help please contact us at (530) 297-6464 or click here.