View cart
Enrol
Better sleep Happier baby 1300 558 608 Enrol

Aboriginal Pregnancy

Adelaide 2017 1

 

Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Pregnancy

Nurturing new life is a sacred journey that carries profound significance in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Here at the Infant Massage Information Service, we acknowledge and hold immense respect for the traditional Indigenous Wellness practices and incorporate them into our Aboriginal pregnancy resources.

Understanding pregnancy and childbirth within the rich tapestry of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures can nurture a deep bond between mother and child, and contribute to healthier and stronger communities.

Understanding Aboriginal Pregnancy

For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families, pregnancy isn't just a medical process—it's a deep spiritual journey enveloped by the breath of ancestors, the whispers of Dreamtime and the nurturing balm of Country. Our Aboriginal pregnancy resources are carefully crafted to encapsulate these cultural values, and provide practical knowledge, and support to expectant mothers during their pregnancy journey.

Parental Care & Education

Becoming a mother is a voyage that commences well ahead of a child's birth. Critical to the services we offer is facilitating professionals who are in a position to equip expectant mothers with the necessary knowledge and preparation for this life-altering journey. Through our parental care & education, we bestow upon professionals the means to offer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families cherished insights into prenatal care, decoding infant signals, nutrition, and all-encompassing wellness practices that are deeply entrenched within their distinct cultural context.

Baby Massage

Baby Massage serves a significant function in facilitating nurturing bonds between parents and their newborns. This practice promotes attachment, decreases the intensity of infant crying, and is a substantial aid in mitigating postnatal depression effects. By utilising our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnancy resources, we impart methods for baby massage that synchronise with Indigenous principles of care and wellbeing.

Grasping the correct methods is key. Not only healthcare professionals can benefit from our infant massage certification program. The skills and knowledge offered could be invaluable to a variety of support roles that extend beyond the healthcare industry. Those in professions such as social work and community support can use these techniques to enhance their service delivery, helping to instil calm and connection in the infants and families they work with.

Respecting Cultural Diversity

Respecting the unique cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities forms a vital part of our approach. Our professionals are trained to respect diversity and bring a culturally safe, tailored approach to every family and individual they assist.

Honouring Ancestral Wisdom and Cultivating Empowerment

As paths intertwine and lives unfold on sacred land, our role stands to build bridges that support and empower. Integrating the wisdom of the Dreamtime, the nurturing spirit of Country, and modern health practices, we strive to ensure that all our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander pregnancy resources honour the pulsing heart of Indigenous culture. 

Ensuring that families feel secure, acknowledged, and assured isn't merely a component of our commitment, but rather, it forms the core of our philosophy. Our dedication extends to supplying Certified Infant Massage Instructors and Paediatric Massage Consultants, trained through the Infant Massage Information Service, with the right tools to walk alongside you on this journey. To respect traditions and nurture healthy families for the future is at the heart of their role. Through their skill in Baby Massage, a supportive network is formed that sees you, hears you, and most importantly, stands alongside you.

Journey with Us

We extend an invitation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to engage with our Certified Infant Massage Instructors and Paediatric Massage Consultants, who are prepared to accompany you through this period. Trained through the Infant Massage Information Service, these professionals are primed to furnish support, impart knowledge and lend a sympathetic ear as you celebrate the advent of a new life into your family.

Our commitment lies in strengthening families, promoting healthier communities, and celebrating the rich tapestry of Australia's Indigenous culture in every service we provide, from our Aboriginal family support services and beyond. 

At the Infant Massage Information Service, we believe that every pregnancy and childbirth is a story woven into the larger narrative of the community. By providing tailored, culturally sensitive Aboriginal pregnancy resources, we can ensure that every thread in this beautiful narrative is valued and nurtured. Our role is to equip Certified Infant Massage Instructors and Paediatric Massage Consultants, who have honed their skills through the Infant Massage Information Service, so they can provide a helping hand and comprehensive support as you traverse the journey of pregnancy and parenthood. They are the ones prepared to work directly and empathetically with families through these transformative stages.

Embrace this sacred journey with us, affirming ancestral wisdom, and paving the path for future generations. Your story is about to unfold; let's enrich it together.

 

Eligibility and Course Prerequisites

No prior training or qualifications are required for the Certified Infant Massage Instructor(CIMI) qualification.

Wanting the Paediatric Massage Consultant (PMC) qualification and wondering if you meet the prerequisite requirements?

If your qualifications fall under the categories of health, allied health, natural therapies or education, you are guaranteed to meet the prerequisite requirements for the paediatric level qualification.

Some examples of qualifications that meet the prerequisite requirements for the PMC qualification are included below (please note, this is not a full list). 

Examples of health qualifications approved for PMC:

Nurse, midwife, aboriginal health worker, community health worker, retired nurse, child & family practitioner, paediatric nurse, maternal/child health nurse, neonatal nurse, paediatrician, medical doctor.

Examples of allied health qualifications approved for PMC:

Chiropractor, doula, childbirth educator, lactation consultant/educator, science degrees, mental health professional, social worker, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist. 

Examples of natural therapy qualifications approved for PMC:

Massage therapist, yoga instructor, nutritionist, Chinese medicine, kinesiology, myotherapist, naturopath.

Examples of educator qualifications approved for PMC:

Early childhood educator, early childhood teacher, other educator (e.g. B. ED Studies, diploma in primary teaching)

PMC students receive both qualifications, the Certificate in Infant Massage Instruction and the Paediatric Massage Consultant qualification. To obtain the paediatric qualification you need to meet the prerequisite requirements, complete your baby massage training through the Infant Massage Information Service and successfully complete 4 competency tasks. In addition to working with parents, and teaching them how to massage their babies, PMCs can provide theory presentations to other professionals, educating them on the researched benefits of massage for infants and children and ensuring they are aware of services available to families in this field. 

Course Fees and Variations

Course fees are the same regardless of your method of study (face-to-face or online).

Fees for the Certificate in Infant Massage Instruction range from $1125 - $1650, depending on the enrolment package (inclusions) selected. Interest-free payment plans are available and these are personalised for each student. 

Fees for the Paediatric Massage Consultant qualification range from $1485 - $2010, depending on the enrolment package (inclusions) selected. Interest-free payment plans are available and these are personalised for each student. 

The course fee table outlining the enrolment packages (inclusions) can be accessed here: Fee Structure | Baby Massage

Please note, the table automatically displays the fees for the Certified Infant Massage Instructor qualification. To view the fees and inclusions for the Paediatric Massage Consultant (PMC) qualification, be sure to click on the 'Paediatric Massage Consultant' box. 

Face-to-Face Course Details

Face-to-face training dates and locations can be found on our course dates and locations page: Locations | Baby Massage

The face-to-face training is completed over 3 days and courses are always held on a Friday, Saturday & Sunday.

Career and Qualification Pathways

Infant Massage Information Service 3-day face-to-face courses have a mixture of both Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) and Paediatric Massage Consultant (PMC) students.

All students cover the same content/units of study.

The differences are:

- Our CIMI students are usually going into the industry as something new i.e. with no prior related background. There are no pre-requisite requirements they need to meet.

- CIMI students complete the 3-day course successfully and are then able to work with parents, teaching infant massage. All assessment work is completed within the 3 days of the course.

- Our PMC students have prior, related training and/or experience in health, allied health, natural therapies or early childhood education and care.

- After the 3 days in class, there is one additional assignment completed. The additional PMC task takes approximately 2 days to complete and does not need to be done in the 2 days directly following the course. PMC students can complete their additional assessment when convenient and follow the instructions provided to upload their submission for marking when they're ready. 

- Our PMC students receive both qualifications – the CIMI qualification and the PMC qualification. The CIMI level qualification is provided immediately after the 3-day face-to-face course and the PMC qualification is issued after the additional PMC assessment has been completed. 

- PMCs can work with parents, teaching infant massage in the same way that CIMIs can. What PMCs are also able to do is provide theory presentations to professional groups on infant massage. The presentations are fairly straightforward and usually follow the same format e.g. – Self-introduction, benefits of infant massage, research reviews, dispelling common myths relating to infant massage and information on services available to parents in this field. 

Various industry bodies request these types of presentations and PMCs are paid a presentation fee for this work directly by the organisation or body who has requested them. PMC presentations offer a unique opportunity to network with other professionals and potentially receive additional referrals for your infant massage work with parents.  
 

What if I'm completing the course via correspondence study?

Each correspondence intake period has a mix of both Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) and Paediatric Massage Consultant (PMC) students.

All students cover the same content/units of study.

The differences are:

- Our CIMI students are usually going into the industry as something new i.e. with no prior related background. There are no pre-requisite requirements they need to meet.

- CIMI students successfully complete 3 competency tasks at their own pace and are then able to work with parents, teaching infant massage. 

- Our PMC students have prior, related training and/or experience in health, allied health, natural therapies or early childhood education and care.

- There is one additional assignment completed for the PMC qualification.

- Our PMC students receive both qualifications – the CIMI qualification and the PMC qualification.

- PMCs can work with parents, teaching infant massage in the same way that CIMIs can. What PMCs are also able to do is provide theory presentations to professional groups on infant massage. The presentations are fairly straightforward and usually follow the same format e.g. – Self-introduction, benefits of infant massage, research reviews, dispelling common myths relating to infant massage and information on services available to parents in this field. 

Various industry bodies request these types of presentations and PMCs are paid a presentation fee for this work directly by the organisation or body who has requested them. PMC presentations offer a unique opportunity to network with other professionals and potentially receive additional referrals for your infant massage work with parents. 

Online Study

The correspondence program is thorough, easy to work through and offers a convenient way to study. 100% of the course requirements are completed from home, including all practical work meaning no travel or onsite attendance is needed.

Once your enrollment is complete and the course fees are paid, you will receive a welcome email providing you with full access to the course content. Your welcome email includes your pdf training manual with all of the course theory work and assessment instructions as well as links to the practical video files you need to watch. A training pack containing your demonstration doll and any other resources in your enrolment pack is sent via post.

There's no need to wait for your training pack to arrive via post before you begin studying. As soon as you receive your welcome email you can get started with the course theory work, then move on to the practical techniques once your demonstration doll arrives. 

You're welcome to study at your own pace to complete the course. Most students complete everything within the space of a few weeks. If students have a lot of other commitments and limited time, they might finish the course over a few months instead. Whatever study period you need is ok, there are no enforced deadlines you need to meet. 

There are 3 or 4 assessment tasks to complete depending on the qualification level you enrol in. The tasks are easy to complete and personalised assistance is available throughout the course if you need help with questions or clarifications. 

Your theory assessment is an open book, multiple-choice exam which ensures you've worked through the training manual. You're provided with an answer sheet to complete which can be emailed as an attachment or uploaded for marking. Practical tasks are recorded using any device (most students use their phone). The recordings are uploaded for the trainers to view and report on. Practical reports are extremely detailed to ensure you're confident in practical techniques prior to certification. 

Enrol Now