The power of touch is real and has been scientifically shown to have remarkable effects. For infants, it encourages relaxation; improves sleep patterns; reduces discomfort from teething, colic, and gas; strengthens digestive and circulatory systems; and does so much more. For parents, it nurtures bonding, increases communication, promotes parenting skills, and actually reduces stress levels. Now, to help parents understand the power of massage and incorporate it into their daily childcare routine, massage expert Dr. Elaine Fogel Schneider has written the ultimate guide to using infant massage at home. Based on the latest research, "Massaging Your Baby begins by explaining how and why massage is so beneficial to both young ones and parents. This is followed by the basics: an explanation of the items you will need to have on hand, and of the best times to massage your child. The book then provides an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide to effective massage techniques. Included is a section on songs and rhymes that complement massage time. And as the child gets older, additional techniques are offered to treat sore muscles from sports and play. There is even a wonderful section designed for children with special needs, from autism to ADD, Down Syndrome, and spina bifida.

Elaine Fogel Schneider, PhD, is one of this country's leading authorities on baby massage therapy. She holds two masters--one in speach-language pathology and one in dance/movement--and a PhD in psychology. In addition to being an adjunct instructor in the California State University system, Dr. Schneider is the founder and executive director of Baby Steps and Community Therapies, which provides multidisciplinary programs for hundred of infants and toddlers with developmental disabilites and at-risk conditions.

Dr. Schneider's articles have appeared in popular magazines, professional journals, and books. As a highly sought-after speaker, she has spoken to such groups as UNESCO, Head Start, Zero to Three, and the International Association of Infant Massage.