My first Guest Blogger for 2018 is with the lovely Hayley & Lyndsay from Breathe Hypnobirthing based in Preston, Lancashire.
 
Introducing Hayley & Lyndsay who are both practicing Mental Health nurses with over 25 years service within the NHS.
With their combined passion for pregnancy and birth – and support from their loving Husbands and families – Breathe Hypnobirthing was born.
​Helping couples and new parents in Lancashire to have a much more positive and relaxing birthing experience....

​Couples are provided with simple, logical, practical and very effective tools to enable them to let go of fear and build confidence in order to focus positive energy into birthing their newborn baby calmly and naturally.
 
Using positive affirm nations, relaxation and self hypnosis techniques, Hypnobirthing enables couples to give themselves and their baby the best possible start in life, and can really make a difference to couples experience of giving birth.
Hypnobirthing isn’t just for couples who plan on having a natural birth, it is designed for all mums; mums who may need or choose an induction, or require a caesarean section, enabling couples to make informed and empowered choices about the care mother and baby will receive to help them have a more positive birth experience.

​ 
Hypnobirthing sessions are one session per week held over a course of four, lasting around two to two and half hours, including:
 

• Breathing exercises
• Deep relaxations
• Visualizations
• Very effective work to release fear and build confidence
• Comforting massage
• How the father can be your powerful protector and support
• How your body is designed to give birth with efficiency and comfort
• Knowledge and information about the whole process
• How ‘the system’ that you find yourself in works, and how to work with it to achieve the best result for you
• A simple practice regime to support you at home
• Understanding how the body and mind work together

 
 
Hypnobirthing has a huge focus on your birth partner, and we love to include your birth partner in both the pregnancy and preparation for their role during labour and birth and the support they can provide for mum.
Couples attending classes are educated about the changes which happen in the body during pregnancy, discussing and explaining all the terminology used during and in pregnancy. 

​Hypnobirthing gives your birth partner a role, so during birth when mum is focusing on managing surges and birthing baby, your partner can take the lead in managing the environment and communicating with the healthcare professionals so mum doesn’t have to.
Your partner is involved in the decision making for pregnancy and birth and means they are aware of all of the choices and decisions they need or may need to make for your birth, and ‘Breathe Hypnobirting’ ensures that they are confident in communicating these.
Actively banishing the stereotypical ‘useless dad’ and focusing on how much of an important role they have during birth – many mums comment after their birth that they truly could not have done it without their partner.

​Hypnobirthing will always make a difference to pain relief, one thing we don’t promise is a pain free birth – instead we provide the tools for parents to lead a much calmer and more manageable birth.
Relaxation scripts are practiced with couples to help mum to enter a deep, relaxed sate to enable her to manage her surges better, training the mind to eliminate fear and therefore pain. The more couples practice the more effective the relaxation will be and tend to find mums can manage their birth with little or no pain relief.

​Benefits for you and your baby include:

• You are likely to experience a more comfortable and sometimes pain free birth
• Your baby will arrive to a serene and relaxed environment, alert and ready to bond with you as nature intended
• Length of labour is often much shorter with Hypnobirthing births
• Less drugs and medical intervention are used in Hypnobirthing births allowing your baby to develop naturally and easily after they arrive.
• Mums often bounce back quicker after a Hypnobirthing birth as the physical impact of giving birth is reduced
• Your birth partner will learn how to support you and have a central and active role in the birth. A truly shared and loving experience

 
‘Breathe Lancashire’ repeatedly hear wonderful birth stories from their mums and couples of Hypnobirthing babies and reports of them being calm, content, sleeping and feeding really well. They seem to thrive better – it may seem miraculous but this is how hypnobirthing is designed to be.
 
Jennifer booked her daughter’s newborn baby photo’s with me – Sarah McLean Photography, and when she told me the story about her wonderful birthing experience she had with Breathe Hypnobirthing I was fascinated to know and find out more which inspired me to Blog about her experience for pregnant mums looking into Hypnobirthing …………
 
Read below Jen’s experience with Breathe Hypnobirthing Lancashire.

​“I was terrified of the idea of giving birth and so when a colleague recommended hypnobirthing I decided to give it a try. It’s not hypnotism, but a range of relaxation techniques to help you stay calm and go into almost a hypnotic-like state during labour.
 It reminds you of the simple fact that your body is made to be able to give birth, it’s not a medical procedure but a natural process that will happen whether a midwife or doctor is present or not. It explains how if you’re stressed and scared of labour then adrenaline kicks in which makes you tense up and pumps your blood to your arms and legs as a fight or flight response which makes labour more difficult.
By teaching you to stay calm and trust the process your body stays relaxed and loose and labour is less uncomfortable.
The sessions give you a range of tools to help you stay calmer; information about what happens in labour, relaxation scripts which help you get into a meditative-like state, positive affirmations to remind you that your body’s capable of birthing naturally and knows what to do, and breathing techniques which help you through the discomfort. They also helped us form a birth plan and encouraged us to define what our preferences would be for the different stages of labour. 
 
I found it really helped allay my fears and preconceptions about labour so that I was more confident going into it. The breathing techniques along with the visualizations and affirmations made the pain much more bearable and I was able to cope with only gas and air during the birth of my daughter.
I really feel that hypnobirthing made a big difference to my experience of giving birth and I’d highly recommend it to both mums and dads to be”. 
Jen - Breathe Hypnobirthing client
 
 

​Are you ready to try Hypnobirthing?
 
‘Breathe Hypnobirthing’ teach at various locations across Lancashire – They have group courses running on a regular basis at Trybe Hot Yoga Studio in Penwortham,
Azcend Health and Fitness Club in Catterall, and Lavender Barn at Charnock Farm in Leyland.
Bespoke 1:1 sessions are available for couples as home visits or agreed locations across Lancashire, these are for couples who prefer a more private and bespoke course tailored to their personal requirements.
 
To find out more, contact Hayley and Lyndsay via their website below;
https://www.breathelancashire.co.uk/
 
 
I had the pleasure of photographing Elora at just 20 days new– Elora is one of Breathe Lancashire’s own Hypnobirthing Babies – here are a selection of her newborn baby photo’s taken at my photography studio in Preston, Lancashire.
To find out more about maternity and newborn baby photography please visit
http://www.sarahmcleanphotography.co.uk/
 

Click HERE for more information about Maternity and Newborn Baby Photography.


Please check out these links to other great articles on my blog:
 
What to pack in your hospital bag – with a free printable checklist
http://www.sarahmcleanphotography.co.uk/blog/guide-on-what-to-pack-your-hospital-bag-free-checklist
 
Hospital photo checklist for dad
http://www.sarahmcleanphotography.co.uk/blog/hospital-photo-checklist-for-dad-free-printable-checklist
​

To find out more information on a Hypnobirthing class and sessions in Lancashire please CLICK HERE

Where can you see Santa this year December 2017?
 
Where can you visit Santa this year? Here are a few places where to visit Santa for 2017. Please check the links/websites of the companies hosting the event to get up to date information about booking, tickets and times before you go.
 
Santa’s Enchanted Grotto – 20/11/17 – 14/12/17 Wrea Green. Lancashire
https://www.visitlancashire.com/whats-on/santas-enchanted-grotto-p901480
 
Santa’s Christmas Workshop – 25/11/17 – 24/12/17 Blackburn, Lancashire
https://www.visitlancashire.com/whats-on/santas-christmas-workshop-p901070

Breakfast with Santa, or Grotto – 05/12/17 – 24/12/17 Alston Arms, Longridge
https://www.facebook.com/thealstonpub/

Grotto and Real Snow @Chill Factor – 11/11/17 – 24/12/17 Manchester
https://www.chillfactore.com/christmas/

The Atrium Meet Santa – 21/12/17 Clitheroe
https://www.facebook.com/The-Atrium-929401983795602/

Guys Thatched –FREE Grotto – 21/12/17 – 23/12/17 Garstang
https://www.facebook.com/guysthatchedhamlet/
​

Congratulations! your new baby has arrived!
A much awaited arrival after patiently waiting to meet him and her. 
You have been so busy with prepping for your new arrival, deciding on which pram to purchase, what colour to paint the nursery, not to mention stocking up boxes upon boxes of nappies - that you forgot to book your little one in for their professional newborn photo shoot.

So after searching the internet you are finding that Newborn photo shoots have been booked in advance so there is no sessions available, or you may be even told that a 3 weeks your newborn is too 'old' to be photographed for a 4 hour bespoke photography session.

You only want a few keepsake pictures of your baby at this fleeting time, and every day your baby is growing and changing.
​

​Don't fret! here at Sarah McLean Photography, we have designed a new all inclusive package for busy mums in mind. 
Our shortened down Newborn session is 'Pure & Simple' - just focusing on the most important part of - Recording your newborn baby as a set of timeless portraits before they grow and change any more.

These sessions also do not require advanced booking unlike our bespoke session, and can be booked when you have a spare hour one afternoon (subject to availability).

This session is suitable for babies up to 12 weeks - perfect for those who missed the initial fleeting two week newborn phase.

The Pure & Simple package also includes your favourite Five images as Hi resolution digital files, which are perfect for printing ans sharing your new images with family & friends, and this complete package makes an ideal Gift for someone who is expecting a new arrival or just had a baby.

All of the sessions take place in our baby friendly studio in Longridge, near Preston where you can sit and relax whilst we capture your babies first portraits.

With over 7 years experience in the speciality of Newborn Photography you can be guaranteed your baby is in the best hands for having their baby pictures taken.

For further information on our Newborn Baby Photo sessions, please call Sarah at the studio on: 01772784499

Or feel free to pop in for a chat over a coffee and have a look around.

I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sarah McLean 
Your Newborn Baby Portrait Photographer

Studio: 14a Berry Lane, Longridge PR3 3JA
www.sarahmcleanphotography.co.uk

I’ve Joined BANPAS!
As a newborn and baby photographer, I have to take the safety of my little clients very seriously.

​It might surprise you to know that the newborn photography industry is completely unregulated. Photographers like me, who take safety seriously, have to take it upon ourselves to be trained and educated on how to ensure the beautiful images we create, are done safely. For example when you see a beautiful image like this 

You may be forgiven for thinking that the baby here was unsupported, left in place, balancing on their own but actually I created this image using 2 different images, and two spotters,
​Here are some of the ‘before’ images used to create the final portrait. 

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Being a newborn and baby photographer requires a unique set of skills and there is a worldwide organisation that exists to support photographers like me, who want to have access to safety training and resources that we can use to provide clients like you with a better service.

I’m delighted to have joined BANPAS (Baby &Newborn Photography Association)  http://www.banpas.co.uk/banpasforparents and you will be able to find me on their directory of photographers here http://www.banpas.co.uk/member/sarah-mclean-photography.

They also have a fabulous facebook page for pregnant and new parents here  https://www.facebook.com/BANPASforparents

I’d be delighted to chat to you about how I can create a beautiful gallery of images for your newborn and very happy to chat to you about how I do that safely. Please contact me for booking and availability information.


Book Now - Contact Me
​
​01772784499
​14a Berry Lane, Longridge PR3 3JA

It's that time of year again to start planning family Christmas photo's, either for gifts, Christmas decor or just because. 

Why not take advantage of our Christmas Mini Sessions? Held exclusively on the 28th, 29th & 30th of October 2016 at our studio, on our beautiful Christmas Set.

All of the packages available include prints or images - so don't miss out! There are limited slots available and Slots are being taken - so booking is essential.  BOOK NOW:- 01772784499 or email me at: sarahmcleanphotography@live.co.uk

Mini sessions are ideal for giving the perfect gift to a loved one this year, or updating your holiday family portrait, sending personal Christmas cards out to friends and family. 

Don't miss out! secure your spot today with just a £20 non-refundable deposit (this is then discounted off your package, and the remainder due on the day).

Sarah McLean Photography
Studio:14a Berry Lane
Longridge
PR3 3JA

01772784499

www.sarahmcleanphotography.co.uk

Over the last few months I have been getting this exciting new collection ready for reveal.

Belly Beautiful is a combined Maternity & Newborn Session which also includes a keepsake belly cast of your beautiful bump.

The casting is taken care of in my studio, so there is no need to make a mess in your home with a home kit, everything is provided here at Sarah McLean Photography. 

It's magical how this little one used to grow inside your tummy. 

For more information on Belly Beautiful, contact Sarah at the studio on: 01772784499
or visit: www.sarahmcleanphotography.co.uk
​

I am so excited to tell you that Sarah McLean Photography will be running from her own Baby Boutique Studio, located in the heart of the Ribble Valley.

Preparations are under way to get the new studio ready for opening it's doors - I cannot wait to photograph my first newborn in my new studio space! 

In the mean time, please see the sneek peek of baby William, he was such a cutie, and slept through his session. 

Im loving this hat with my blue backdrop, these colours suit the boys.

If you are thinking of having newborn photo's captured, you can pencil your little one in as early as your 20 week scan. This ensures you are guaranteed a slot when baby arrives. 

​Book now: 07580128801

If you go down in the woods today......

The Bluebells have bloomed, and make fantastic spring backdrops to your portraits. You have to be quick though as the bluebells are only here for a few weeks.

I do have some availability mid-week for anyone wanting bluebell portraits.

Bluebell shoots are £50 and come with a complimentary Framed 7x5" print.

​Call now to book: 07580128801

​

This is the first maternity image I have submitted to the judges for the image of the month.

I am so happy to be awarded a bronze award, such an achievement ! 

To book your maternity session call: 07580128801

Really chuffed to find out I have earned three more bronze awards for my work.
My next aim is to achieve the Silver Award. 
This sums up the Bronze Award with the Guild - 
​A Bronze Bar .. Images of a high standard (something to be proud of)  Congratulations in achieving your Bronze Bar, which is only awarded to images of a strong standard in this national competition

Call Now: 07580128801
​For all of your portrait enquiries

Visit: www.sarahmcleanphotography.co.uk

From our 'Little Sitter's Sessions, Newborn & Aerial Art's.