Customer Reviews

Loving Hands: The Traditional Art of Baby Massage

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1 star:		(1)

 

 

Frederick LeBoyer is the French obstetrician who pioneered the "gentle birth" process with his first book, "Birth Without Violence." Having succeeded in getting babies born gently, into a dim, quiet, warm environment, he has now taken the logical next step with this book.

Baby massage is a practice begun in India, and simply stated, involves sitting with the baby on your lap and massaging "it" gently with oil. There is very little text in this book - it's mostly photographs, of a beautiful young Indian mother, sitting on the ground with her baby on her outstretched legs. The photographs are sequential and show the various moves - gently tugging at opposite arms and legs, rubbing circular motions on the torso, massaging tiny hands and feet, and so on.

The baby is clearly blissed out in the pictures, as yours will be, too if you try this! And the very act of spending that kind of time in close communion with your baby will elevate your soul as well as the baby's.

I recommend this book to all new parents and give it as a "Welcome to the world" gift when their babies are born.

Mr Leboyer has used just enough words and photographs to expose the traditional art to a parent who is concerned about his fragile newborn.
All the picture sequences showing the baby massage are to the point and only focus on their context.


Mr Leboyer's way of empathizing a newborn is very unusual and worth reading.

I first read this book five years ago when my first son was born. It has opened a way to communicate with my baby that has been an experience I still treasure. The massages have certainly had a very positive effect on his development, the book is also remarkable if you consider that this is a man writing with an unusual sensitivity about a mother-child issue.

Written by professional obstetrician Frederick Leboyer, Loving Hands: The Traditional Art Of Baby Massage is a remarkable and heartfelt presentation of infant massage techniques that Dr. Leboyer learned from a young East Indian mother in Calcutta. Illustrated with more than seventy black-and-white photographs, Loving Hands showcases techniques for a parent's bonding with a child through the medium of touch. Highly recommended reading, especially for new parents, the text is sparse, lyrical, and presents simple, easy-to-follow instructions in this very fine and highly accessible guide.

The first few pages are so moving I have shared them with others. The pictures are incredible- you can feel the mother-child love. This is a step by step instruction manual that is a must have for every new parent- I give it as a shower gift to Moms and Dads.

As a new parent, i want the best for my little girl. I purchased this book and started practicing the massage on my baby when she was about one month old. She really enjoys it, it is like it reinforces the mother baby bond. It explains very clearly what to do mostly by pictures and it also has some thoughtful poems included in the book. A great choice, i highly recommend it.

I read this and started the massage when my baby was about 4 months old. It is a wonderful complement to his bedtime routine and does wonders for relaxing him. I only wish I would have started sooner! The pictures were the most helpful in this beautiful book.

This is a beautiful book with pictures showing infant massage. What a loving way to treat children. Touch is so important to children s development and this is shown in such a clear beautiful way.

What every baby will be nourished by emotionally and physically is this wonderful massage. The benefit goes far beyond just "feeling good". Loving touch will carry your child into life with a base in lovingkindness toward themselves first and foremost...then toward the world. Every parent should be taught this in prenatal class. Bond with your child in the most loving, exquisite way...use this massage.

BTW, read Attachment by John Bowlby. It contains important information for parents who might be contemplating time away from their young child for a vacation, etc.

Thirty years ago I bought this book after reading Leboyer's "Birth Without Violence" and having the first birthing room delivery in my city. What a joy! I followed the beautiful photographs and took time each day to sit skin-to-skin with my newborn and massage her tiny body. It was our quiet special time to just recall the wonder of life, birth and our future lives together. We would dream.

I have given this book to many new mothers and newborns and bought it this week for my niece. I wrap it with Arbonne's natural Baby Massage Oil. The routine is easy to follow, and the book has quiet, soothing photographs of a mother and baby in this dance of love. Buy it, use it. You will be so thankful you did! Thank you Dr. Leboyer.