Developmental Baby Massage

Originally published: London: Carroll & Brown, 2009.

Baby massage is one of the most important skills parents can learn. It enables parents to readily bond with their babies, promote their babies' emotional and physical development, uncover potential problems and treat minor ailments. Being massaged makes babies relax and cope better with stress, improves their muscular coordination and flexibility and helps them straighten tightly flexed hands and legs. And who better to teach parents how to acquire these essential skills than Peter Walker, the UK and world's best-known baby massage teacher. In this exciting new edition of his best-selling guide of 2000, he not only includes vital new sequences essential for very young babies, but demonstrates them in a special water-proof covered stand-up edition. The book can thus be placed at eye-level making its photographic step-by-step sequences easy to master.

Being massaged makes babies relax and cope better with stress, improves their muscular coordination and flexibility and helps them straighten tightly flexed hands and legs. And who better to teach parents how to acquire these essential skills than Peter Walker, the world's best-known baby massage teacher. In this fully revised edition of his best-selling guide, he demonstrates vital new sequences essential for very young babies, which can be done while a baby is clothed.

Master the techniques of infant massage and incorporate this joyful and wonderful healing art into your baby’s life with this revised and updated edition. For generations, mothers around the world have known that the soft touch of their hands soothes, calms, and communicates their love to their babies. The latest scientific research confirms that physical affection is vital to the development and wellness of children—easing discomfort, releasing tension, improving sleep, helping premature infants gain weight, even aiding asthmatic children to improve their breathing. Now Vimala McClure, founder of the International Association of Infant Massage, has revised and updated her beloved classic. Inside you’ll find • specific routines tailored to help relieve colic, fever, and chest and nasal congestion • easy-to-follow instructions and photographs demonstrating each step • new information on the benefits of skin-to-skin contact • instructions for premature infants and babies with special needs • lullabies, rhymes, and games to enhance the massage experience • a special chapter dedicated to fathers • compassionate advice for foster and adoptive parents Praise for Infant Massage “Speaking as a pediatrician, the best advice I can give you is to try the techniques described in this book.”–Stephen Berman, M.D., F.A.A.P., former president, American Academy of Pediatrics “What a brilliant way to love and nurture a child! The first connection between parent and child is physical, through the body; by using the techniques Vimala McClure has developed, your parental relationship will be off to a magnificent start.”—Judy Ford, author of Wonderful Ways to Love a Child

Being massaged makes babies relax and cope better with stress, improves their muscular coordination and flexibility and helps them straighten tightly flexed hands and legs. And who better to teach parents how to acquire these essential skills than Peter Walker, the world's best-known baby massage teacher. In this fully revised edition of his bestselling guide, he demonstrates vital new sequences essential for very young babies, which can be done while a baby is clothed.

Set aside the daily chores and use this easy-to-follow guide to spend special time with your child. To a baby touch is talk, and through these soothing and relaxing techniques you and your child can share some of the most fulfilling and communicative moments. Four chapters covering key techniques, everyday care, massage for different age groups and easing common problems. Massage will afford you a more intimate way to comfort, nurture and relax your baby.

Easy massage routines to soothe your baby and communicate love. To a baby, touch is talk, and with these soothing techniques, you and your child can share some of your most fulfilling communicative moments. Calm and comfort your baby from head to toe with a step-by-step full-body massage; discover ways to incorporate massage into your baby's day-to-day routine; and ease common ailments such as colic, teething, and constipation. With expert guidance from a Certified Infant Massage Instructor, explore the physical and emotional benefits of baby massage and enjoy this most intimate way to relax, soothe, and nurture.