Have you ever opened the fridge and just stood there, thinking, “Wait…what was I looking for?”
Or bumped into someone you’ve known for years and *BAM* their name completely disappears?
If you’ve had a baby recently here in Tampa, you’ve probably wondered:
“What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I think straight anymore?”
Mama, listen—nothing is “wrong” with you. Your brain isn’t broken. It’s actually doing something amazing.
This thing we call “Mommy Brain”? It’s not a joke. It’s not weakness.
It’s your brain rewiring itself so you can be the ultimate caregiver, protector, and nurturer for your little one.
So what is “Mommy Brain,” really?
People love to laugh it off as forgetfulness or being scatterbrained, but science shows it’s much deeper than that. During pregnancy and postpartum, your brain literally reshapes. Parts of it grow to help you bond, make decisions, and tune into your baby’s needs—even when you’re running on zero sleep.
Research shows that moms experience structural changes in gray matter that affect empathy, memory, and emotional regulation—basically, your brain is adapting to love and protect.
And here’s the wild part: these changes don’t just fade after the newborn stage. One long-term study found pregnancy can shrink gray matter volume by up to 5% (to make your brain more efficient for caregiving!)—and those changes can still be seen years later.
From “forgetful” to fierce
Yes, you might lose your keys or forget what day it is.
But you also gain the ability to decode your baby’s cry in the middle of the night.
To love through exhaustion.
To protect with instincts sharper than ever.
That’s not a downgrade. That’s an upgrade.
Dear Tampa Mama…
Whether you’re holding a brand-new baby or chasing your toddler around Armature Works, please know:
You’re allowed to forget.
You’re allowed to feel different.
You’re allowed to be tired and tender, strong and scattered—all at the same time.
This isn’t dysfunction. This is your rebirth.
Let’s stop calling Mommy Brain a weakness.
Instead, let’s honor it as the mark of a woman rising to meet the needs of her child—with empathy, courage, and love that only grows.
You are not less. You are more.
With love,
Beata
