Q & A

Take a few moments to read the poems to yourself. Once you see how they capture your child's interest and coach you on how to how to conduct the massage, introduce them to your child along with the massage strokes. If you're still unsure, try performing the massage on a partner or on a child who can give you verbal feedback. You can even see what it's like to have that person perform the massage on you.

Unlike older children and adults, toddlers and young children do not appreciate or accept massage until they feel comfortable with it, both physically and psychologically. Lullaby Massage is designed to foster acceptance by providing children with a unique combination of exceptionally appealing sensory experiences: The sensations of touch are exquisite, and they are especially satisfying by being combined with the sound of your voice and the meaning of poems that expresses playfulness and reassurance. The sense of pleasure that arises is boosted even further by visual contact. This is made possible by Lullaby Massage starting with massage strokes that are done while your child faces you. Especially when it includes eye contact and smiles, nonverbal communication through visual contact yields feelings of closeness that are profoundly fulfilling. So, make Lullaby Massage part of a regular routine, and give it some time. Before long, most children come to appreciate its benefits: relaxation, easy sleep, and happiness that comes from a secure bond with a trusted caregiver.

Babies who are too young to crawl or walk do not need to be coaxed into staying still for a massage. In contrast, toddlers and young children are mobile and active, and most are not inclined to stay still long enough to find out what massage has to offer. Lullaby Massage encourages stillness by starting with face-to-face positioning that enables eye contact, and by combining massage strokes with simple poems that children can understand and enjoy. Together, these features engage children and promote acceptance, so that they stay still long enough to discover the relaxing sensations that are brought about by massage.

Look for body language that suggests stillness (as opposed to fidgeting and restlessness), and listen for the sound of regular, deep breathing. Also, take advantage of facial expressions that are available during the massages that are done while your child faces you. If these cues seem insufficient, verbal feedback can be sought with prompts, such as, "Does this feel too hard?" or "Does this make you feel ticklish?" that require no more than a simple "yes" or "no" answer.

Yes. The sequence that the book offers is one that works most of the time for most children - but as parents know, every child is different. So, feel free to find out what works best for your particular child.

Studies show that as it becomes part of a regular routine, massage helps children manage symptoms commonly linked with conditions, such as, autism (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), painful medical procedures, and emotional dysregulation that can arise from anxiety and/or trauma. Because it is a non-pharmacological intervention that is effective without causing unwanted negative side effects, medical professionals and parenting experts recommend it for children with a wide range of special needs. To be certain that massage is safe to try out with your child in particular, it is a good idea to seek the advice of your child’s pediatrician or therapist.