Customer Reviews

Baby Massage: The Calming Power of Touch

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

FIRST, A WORD ON HEALTH CARE PUBLICATIONS-

When looking for a book on almost any subject, it's always a good bet that DK books will have one on the subject. And whereas the overwhlming majority of them will be accurate in their presentation, it is good to remember that ALL information about health is subject to regular change and update.

Unfortunately, Doctors and nurses simply don't have the time needed to constantly pour over new journal articles and go to seminars. This is why WE must keep OURSELVES informed by doing just that. Medical libraries are FREE for use by anyone in this country that pays their taxes and their staff knows this and are more than happy to help you learn how to use them. They know that by doing this we are not only increasing our own knowledge of current practices and procedures, but we are actually creating an invaluable resource for our healthcare providers.

If your Doctor tells you that you have a condition that they are not familiar with, go to the medical library and look up any journal articles that have come out in the past year on the subject and make two (2) copies. Take one to your Doctor and keep one for yourself. The positive response you get may surprise you, and it will certainly prove to your health care provider that you are interested in being proactive in your recovery.

THE REVIEW!!

As a Clinical Massage Therapist and Father, I can tell you from experience that this book is not only well written and contains some really cute pictures, but the information contained within is mostly accurate and very easily digested. I have heard of both of the contributing authors and can say that both have good reputations in their fields.

Why not 5 stars? For the simple reason that the authors STILL not only illustrate the Indian "milking" technique, but recommend it. Being the only obvious and unmistakeable flaw in the book, it is excusable, but only just.

Indian milking is not only counter productive to the massage itself, but it does physically irreversible damage to the valves in the veins in the arms and in the legs. You should never, never, NEVER work from hip to foot or shoulder to arm; ALWAYS work with the flow of the vein, or in this case, towards the heart. To not do so is to force blood to move AGAINST natural veinous flow and can cause the leaflet valves in the veins returning blood to the heart to become damaged and useless.

Later on in life, this damage will cause painful vericose and spider veins. If you have anyquestion of this or of the medical research that proves it, just look on the legs of almost any East Indian man or woman and almost invariable you will see evidence of vericosities. There are even pamphlets being produced in India that are telling Mothers to work towards the heart to prevent this from happening.

Aside from this one problem, this is an EXCELLENT book. I say that not only because any book that promotes this kind of bonding with parent and child is on my "A" list, but also because the vast majority of the information is accurate and correct!

This has been one of the best purchases I have made since the birth of my son nine months ago. It has taught me how to massage him in a way that has helped me gain his trust. Not only does it relax him before bed, but it gives us some precious bonding time that can't be matched! I sing his favorite song while I do it, and someday, when he can talk, I'm sure he will sing along. I have suggested this book to all of my 'Mom' friends, and I urge all Mom's (and Dad's) to buy this one!!

This book does a wonderful job of combining the physical nature of touching your baby with a calming goal. As a first father there appears to be a lot less available to help soothe a crying baby. This book shows how a simple circular motion on a chest, back or arms can help a baby feel more relaxed. This is extremely positive when we are biding time before Mommy and her food arrives.

After looking at nearly every massage book out there, I decided to buy this one and have not been disappointed with my choice. The main thing that clinched it for me was the fact that it is illustrated so well - every stroke has a photograph and a detailed description, making it so easy to follow. I found that many other books have line drawings rather than photos for many of the strokes. I also like the fact that there is not too much information. It is clear and concise - just what you need when you're holding the book open with one knee while attempting to massage a wriggly newborn!

My 2 month old daughter absolutely adores massage time, and has done since the day we brought her home. This book is my number one "must have" for all parents. Massaging your baby is a wonderful bonding experience, and one which can be continued into the toddler years.

I really enjoyed using this book with my babies. The pictures were informative and explanations were simple enough. The only trouble I had was getting the book to stay open so that I could look at the examples while practicing on my baby. It would be much better in a spiral-bound form.

This is an excellent book that I recommend to parents wanting to learn baby massage. I'm an infant massage instructor and this is the book I recommend to the parents in my classes. For several reasons; it is an easy read covering the basics, the beautiful images show how to position both baby and yourself and it's short enough to read in a few hours. It even has some pages on how to keep incorporating massage if baby becomes a toddler, which I like very much (why stop massaging a child when the baby phase is over?) and is a plus compared to many other books on baby massage.

The quotes that are spread throughout the book are a nice addition and give a great feel to it.

An excellent book on the basics of baby massage.

Martine Groeneveld, Author Mommy, Draw Stars on my Tummy; Rhymes, Songs and Touch-Play Activities to Stay Connected

My son is 2 months old and he loves the massage techniques that are described in this book. We use olive oil and I put him down on a towel covered with the carters keep me dry flannel bassinet pad. The pictures in this book are beautiful and depict the strokes excellently, which is why it gets 5 stars from me!

I sent this to my expectant granddaughter and her husband.
I had never considered this treatment, it was recommended
by my massage therapist. Her husband has read the book and
plans to implement some of the techniques.

Very practical information on how to give massage to your baby. Is good specially when you are 24/7 busy.

I was very pleased with this seller. I received my book on time and in very good condition.