The Science of 'Mom Brain'

You may know them as pacis, binkies, soothies, or a slew of other names we call that thing that we stick in our baby’s mouth to help them stop crying. In my house, pacifiers often work like magic. But are there actual benefits to using them? Today we’re going to dig into the science of pacifiers and address some of the most burning questions new parents have on this topic, as well as tips for addressing some of the more problematic paci woes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you desperately need to take a quick shower or hop on a work call on a day you don’t have child care, you turn on the TV for a few minutes to keep your baby distracted. Then comes the mom guilt because you let your infant have screen time – something you never thought you’d do. But is all screen time bad? What should you be looking for in a show? And what are some alternative activities you can use to keep your baby occupied? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a new breastfeeding mom, one of your top objectives is to establish a good milk supply for your growing baby. How often should you nurse to bring in your supply? How important is skin-to-skin contact with your baby? What can you do to help regulate an oversupply so you don't feel engorged? Moms with new babies speak out about what worked best for them! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your baby seems to cry, a lot. She also spends a lot of her time moving, grunting, and cooing. Maybe she is trying to communicate what is going on in her tiny little body, but you don’t understand. Is there a way to decode what your baby’s body language is saying? Does this baby come with a user manual? Help! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feeding your baby solid foods can be a bit scary at first. Most new moms are worried about choking hazards. So, what do you need to keep in mind when you're feeding your baby new foods? What can we do to help modify these foods to make them safer? And what are the most common choking culprits out there that we may want to avoid? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Research shows music has countless positive affects on our brains. So what does that mean for the littlest among us? How can new parents use music to soothe their babies? And how does it impact their development? Moms and music teachers weigh in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dealing with your baby's poop is just one of the many joys of new parenting. But besides being a bit gross, you can also learn a lot about your baby's overall health. So, what should you expect within the first few weeks of birth? What do the different colors mean? What should you do if your baby is constipated? Plus, our panelists share their most memorable poop surprises! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all want our children to do what we tell them to do. But even the most obedient children fall short sometimes. So, when is it time to discipline your child? What systems seem to work best? And how do you make this transition when your child is just now learning right from wrong?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

While many women get cleared for normal activities from their doctors within a couple of months of giving birth, the postpartum recovery period is actually much longer. How long does it actually take to heal from pregnancy and childbirth? And what are some ways new moms can prioritize self-care during this time period? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you constantly losing your keys or finding things in odd places? Maybe you chalk it up to "mom brain." But is so-called “mom brain” — or "pregnancy brain" — real, or just something we tell ourselves to feel better? A researcher and moms weigh in. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices