CELEBRITY STYLE SPY: See all the latest celeb photos

Having a baby makes you brainier

By Carla Bevan on Monday 13 October 2008

Print
Share
Comment

Baby

Many a pregnant woman may have bemoaned her 'baby brain', but new research suggests having a baby actually makes you brainier.

Experts from the States have discovered that having a baby super-charges the brain to ensure the mother can look after her new arrival.

'When the going gets tough, the brain gets going,' neuroscience professor Craig Kinsley told reporters.

'Pregnant women do undergo a phase of so-called baby brain, when they experience an apparent loss of function.

'However, this is because their brains are being remodelled for motherhood to cope with the many new demands they will experience.

'Many benefits seem to emerge from motherhood, as the maternal brain rises to the reproductive challenge.'

And the good news? Women's increased mental capacity doesn't disappear once their child is old enough to fend for itself.

'The changes could last for the rest of their lives,' adds Kinsley.

Monday 13 October 2008

Have your say ...

Add your own comment

I have a one year old and since I got pregnant, my brain has been like mush! I'm glad to see that there is a light at the end of the tunnel....

Comment by Paula on October 13 12:37

I've heard about this before. Your brain starts to concentrate on being a mother and making your baby the most important thing, which actually makes new mothers very forgetful in other areas that are deemed not as important ie: Where they put the car keys. So I don't really think this has anything to do with making you clever or more intelligent.
Comment by Becca on October 13 19:06