Customer Reviews

Loving hands: The traditional Indian art of baby massage

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

 

 

What a beautiful book! The photographs are so telling of the love existant between mother and child. Frederick Leboyer is gifted with words and descriptions come across as simple poetry rather than dry descriptions. Here is something I wish my mother had done to me as a child. A gift I will give myself and my child when the time comes. On a side note I didn't find the exclusion of fathers massaging as being a bad thing. This is the story of Shantala and her baby. The poetic reference to death is about the death of the soul without love. Whether you are a baby or an adult the results are the same.

I am sorry to say that this book is boring looking. The photographs are vague. Sometimes you can see the grown up more than the baby being massaged. It is is from 1976 so it is way too old. Do not waster your money on this one.

Beautiful photographs set amidst poetry and simple instructions guide new parents in positioning and massaging their baby. The book conveys a sense of serenity that a parent may find through interacting with his or her child. It also discusses various oils and lotions that can be used for a smooth and soothing massage. One factor which did not allow for a 10 rating here is the lack of fathers giving infant massage. Also note that if someone wished to give this book as a gift, they should be aware that there is one poem which discusses the circle of life, including death, which can be very upsetting to some new parents. If this book has been revised by Leboyer, I would certainly look for the new; it is very difficult to find the original.