Blossom and Bloom Hypnotherapy

10/05/2023

It was lovely to see and help our mums get a comfortable at our breastfeeding clinic yesterday. I absolutely love what I do!

We discussed the importance of positioning and attachment and if things aren’t feeling right go back to basics and follow the C.H.I.N.S. acronym remembering the following important principles:

C – Close (baby’s chest is really close against your body)
H – Head Free to tilt back (hold back of neck and shoulders with your hand)
I - In-line (head, shoulders and body in a straight line)
N – Nose to ni**le (line the nose up with the ni**le, ni**le enters mouth last and needs to reach the junction of the hard and soft palate at the back of the throat
S – Sustainable (comfortable and sustainable position for both of you). These principles apply to all positions for feeding.

26/04/2023

Keeping track of your period helps you learn more about its frequency and length. It can also help you see patterns in mood changes. Being in tune with your body and understanding the different hormones involved in menstruation can help you navigate your monthly cycle better. It's not just about PMS. Hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle have been suggested to cause changes in mood like irritability, anxiety, or feeling more affectionate, but a definitive link between mood and the menstrual cycle is still under study and debate. Not only will these changes help you when it comes to your cycle but by understanding the rhythm of your cycle will help you prepare body and mind and ultimately better manage life.

If you are feeling overwhelmed with your cycle and PMS symptoms please get in touch to find out about all the wonderful and magical advantages Solution Focused Hypnotherapy can help with.

22/04/2023

We have been discussing this in my postpartum circle a lot recently and I absolutely love this illustration…

Get in touch to join our next postpartum circle. Whatever your journey looks like I’ve got you ❤️

18/04/2023

My therapy room is located within the beautiful grounds and venue of .

For a full immersive experience why not take a stroll and allow yourself to fully relax in it’s fabulous garden.

More and more studies show that connecting with nature can have a positive effect on our health and wellbeing so I am so excited that my clients will be able to benefit from it’s therapeutic haven.

17/04/2023

Be kind always ❤️

17/04/2023

As I read Molly Mae’s breastfeeding journey, I can’t help but feel really sad…. She thought she wasn’t producing enough milk because little Bambi was cluster-feeding for hours at a time. Why did nobody tell her this can be a very normal part of newborn life especially when babe is having a growth spurt? Someone also recommended to stop feeding her 10-week-old after an 11am feed, until 7am the next day. Why did nobody tell her that night feeding is essential for maintaining your milk supply. Molly’s experience just goes to show just how unhelpful and unsupportive breastfeeding advice can be not to mention how our obsession with routine can actually bring breastfeeding to a premature end. Like so many mothers before and many more to come, I am so sorry that you were not better informed and supported. It is impossible to make an informed and empowered choice if you are not adequately informed and supported.

03/04/2023

Something exciting is happening…

06/02/2023

Brain Changes
When the child is born, their brain is 25% of the size it will be when that child is an adult.That means it has a LOT of growing to do, and most of it is in the child's first three years of life. Just as tomato plants need optimal growing conditions to produce optimal results, so too does the human brain. Fortunately, neuroscience has shown us (quite literally, with brain scans and imaging), what works for optimum brain growth and development, and what gets in the way of it. In a word, what is super food for growing brains is Nurture. The baby-toddler-child flourishes with empathetic emotional nurture within the bonded relaltionship with the parent.

08/01/2023

“It’s OK to find it hard to talk about death. It’s OK to feel frightened or nervous. It’s OK to get it wrong. What matters is that you try. We need to get better at being uncomfortable, at not knowing what to say and admitting that we’re scared. It isn’t easy to help someone in grief. But only when we attempt (and possibly fail) to help, will we learn what’s needed”

Read this. It’s helpful and great and v human.

Comedian Cariad Lloyd has spoken to hundreds of bereaved people for her award-winning series Griefcast and a new book on dealing with loss. She shares the lessons she has learned

23/12/2022

“Shout out to all the mamas
showing up and doing the damn thing
Despite the pain
Despite the grief
Despite the anxiety and stress and sadness and the sickness
and the heavy weight of it all...

All the mamas
Who are missing their mama, or the mama they never had
Those who feel so far away from home,
Those navigating divorce or single parenthood for the first time
Loss or lay offs or unexpected life changes

All the mamas who had dreams of a chubby baby in christmas PJs
or bump selfies in front of the tree
Who have empty arms and an empty belly
And the NICU mamas who ache so desperately for the comfort of home
Only to go home and ache desperately for their baby

Mamas swimming upstream
against mental health challenges
or a scary diagnosis
or financial hardship
or relationship turmoil
or just the crushing weight of being a human being
raising human beings
in an unfair world

The most wonderful time of the year
Can also be the heaviest time of the year
And you are not alone
And the darkness will lift,
(as impossible as that truth may feel)
And you are beautiful and powerful and worthy
Amidst it all”

Beautiful repost words and image 💕💕

22/12/2022

Just going to leave this here 💚

22/12/2022

Yesterday was the winter solstice

The shortest day and longest night of the year.

A time of year to snuggle up, keep warm and nurture ourselves and our family.

Night time parenting is tough. And the nighttime is even longer at the moment. It can seem very lonely, like you are the only one awake. But know that there are parents all over your town, all over the country, all over the world who are doing exactly the same thing. We are all looking at the same moon whilst feeding, settling, rocking, cuddling, bedsharing, nurturing. A connection. Take a moment to feel the connection with all those breastfeeding their babies back to sleep.

Or just snooze because you're too tired to think about it!

Just posting this to say I see you. You are doing a wonderful job. And your child is not broken for needing you at night. And they really and truly do all sleep eventually.

22/12/2022

Yesterday was the winter solstice

The shortest day and longest night of the year.

A time of year to snuggle up, keep warm and nurture ourselves and our family.

Night time parenting is tough. And the nighttime is even longer at the moment. It can seem very lonely, like you are the only one awake. But know that there are parents all over your town, all over the country, all over the world who are doing exactly the same thing. We are all looking at the same moon whilst feeding, settling, rocking, cuddling, bedsharing, nurturing. A connection. Take a moment to feel the connection with all those breastfeeding their babies back to sleep.

Or just snooze because you're too tired to think about it!

Just posting this to say I see you. You are doing a wonderful job. And your child is not broken for needing you at night. And they really and truly do all sleep eventually.

21/12/2022

That’s it from me for 2022 - A huge thank you to all of my wonderful clients ✨

I’ll be back on Wednesday 4th January

Wishing you the most wonderful Christmas, celebrated in just the right way for you

Warm wishes Sarah ✨

This time of year can be beautiful AND/OR it can be challenging. For some of you reading this your feelings and emotions may feel overwhelming and if that’s the case please know there are trained listeners out there that want to hear from you and will be there for you. Please use these numbers 💚

👉🏼Cruse Bereavement Helpline is 0808 808 1677.

“Our Helpline is run by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by grief.
We’ll give you space to talk about your feelings and how you’ve been coping. Our volunteers are completely non-judgemental and won’t share what you’ve told them with anyone else, unless you are in danger”

👉🏼SHOUT text 85258

“Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text support service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope.
To start a conversation, text the word 'SHOUT' to 85258. Our trained volunteers are here to listen at any time of day or night, and messages won't appear on your phone bill”

👉🏼The Samaritans call 116 123

“Call us any time, day or night
Whatever you're going through, you can call us any time, from any phone for FREE”

Much love to you all and thanks for reading 😘

21/12/2022

As much as it’s all festive and sparkly, making it through this time is never easy with children but there are with things we can do to make it bearable or hopefully enjoyable; have a routine, give as much warning as possible when there is change ahead, be really prepared with calming activities, allow for even more wind down time and have a plan. Then when the meltdown does happen (and it probably will) try to stay calm yourself so that you can help your child regulate and work through their emotions.

21/12/2022

Making it through this time is never easy but there are things we can do to make it bearable or hopefully enjoyable; have a routing, give as much warning as possible when there is change ahead, be really prepared with calming activities, allow for even more wind down time and have a plan. Then when the meltdown does happen (and it probably will) try to stay calm yourself so that you can help your child regulate and work through their emotions.

21/12/2022

What is mindfulness? Mindfulness is bringing your attention to the present moment with an element of nonjudgment and acceptance. It is noticing when we get caught up in thoughts about the past or the future, and returning our attention to the present — the only reality. 🙌🏽

The perception of the holiday/Christmas season can build an unrealistic expectation of what this should look like. So take a look at some tips for being mindful this holiday season. ☀️

Remember the best present, is your presence.🌸

What are your favourite mindfulness rituals?

Set intentions, not expectations.
We tend to be bombarded with Christmas ideals, making us believe we should feel a certain way.
The reality, however, can be very different and complex. So, to enjoy the festive season to the fullest you and choose to let go of all expectations. Instead, you can be mindfully present in your communication and interaction as they take place.

Let go of judgement
The stress of the holidays can spark conflict.
When you feel frustration rise, take a step back and let thoughts arise without getting caught up in them.

Balance the 'shoulds'
There are often many obligations during these holidays, but you don't need to please everyone.
Check in and balance them with your own needs, and observe how these expectations affect you.

Practise self-compassion
With so much going on, its important to take care of yourself.
Take time to relax, and do activities you enjoy. You may find taking care of yourself helps you be kinder to others.