Baby Massage

Baby massage is a technique of gently stroking, circular motions, or pressing different parts of a baby's body using specific techniques and oils. It is a wonderful way for parents and caregivers to bond with their baby, promotes relaxation, and provides numerous health benefits.

As parents, we all want the best for our babies, and massage is one way to bond with them while also providing numerous benefits such as improved sleep, digestion, and circulation. However, finding the right massage oil can be a challenge, especially if you're looking for something that won't leave a greasy residue. 

Many parents wonder whether it's better to use baby oil before or after bathing. In this blog, we'll explore the pros and cons. Read now!

Infant massage is a therapeutic and nurturing practice that has been used for centuries to promote bonding and communication between caregivers and their babies. In recent years, research has shown that infant massage can also have a range of physiological and psychological benefits for both infants and caregivers. Certified Infant Massage Instructors and Paediatric Massage Consultants play a critical role in teaching parents and caregivers the techniques and benefits of infant massage. 

Baby massage can assist with many issues that come with a preterm baby such as bonding, feed intolerance, growth, digestion, and ultimately timely discharge. Mothers often feel displaced by the hospital environment in their role but by teaching mothers how to massage their preterm baby it can empower them to contribute to their care. Massage is an under-utilized resource in the special care nursery and by educating staff on its benefits it can have a greater uptake on the ward resulting in better outcomes.
 

Baby massage is a simple and effective way for parents to promote relaxation, bonding, and overall wellbeing in their infants during the first 1000 days of life. This critical period of rapid growth and development can have lasting impacts on the child's health and wellbeing. By providing massage themselves, parents can strengthen the bond with their baby, learn to read their baby's cues and respond to their needs, and build confidence as a parent. With the guidance of a qualified Certified Infant Massage Instructor or Paediatric Massage Consultant, parents can learn a variety of massage techniques and create a relaxing environment to promote optimal physical and emotional development in their baby.

Unleashing the Magic of Touch: A Career as a Certified Infant Massage Instructor or Paediatric Massage Consultant. Learn about the benefits of pursuing a career as a Certified Infant Massage Instructor or Paediatric Massage Consultant and the comprehensive training provided by the Infant Massage Information Service (IMIS). Discover how you can make a real difference in the lives of babies and families.

Baby massage is relaxing but it's also stimulating for the nervous sytem.
Massage directly prior to sleep can make it more difficult for a baby to settle because their nervous system has received too much stimulation. Massaging prior to bedtime is like playing with your baby before you want them to go to sleep.

If you're not sure about what oil to use on your baby's skin, advice from the Infant Massage Information Service on whether or not to use or avoid food based oil can help.

Infant Massage is a vital, dynamic interaction that forms the foundation of relationship building that will last a lifetime. Nurturing touch between a parent/caregiver and an infant enriches physiological, social-emotional, and mind/body/spirit connections for the infant being massaged, as well as for the parent. (Shneider,2003).

Wondering how long you have to complete your baby massage course, whether there are exams and if you need to attend any on-site classes?

This article helps address some common questions about completing your baby massage course via correspondence. 
 

What is the difference between the Certified Infant Massage Instructor and Paediatric Massage Consultant qualifications?

This article helps address common questions students have about baby massage qualifications to help you determine which option is the right fit for you.

IMIS is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Body Work (NCBTMB) to teach IMIS Infant Massage Instructor and Consultant Training as a 6-hour, home study, continuing education course.

Complete your baby massage training course on the Gold Coast with the Infant Massage Information Service and become a Certified Infant Massage Instructor or Paediatric Massage Consultant

Paediatric Massage Consultant qualification for professionals with a background in health, allied health, natural therapies or early childhood education through the Infant Massage Information Service.

Australia's most widely recognised, evidence-based infant massage courses. Qualify to teach the baby massage as a way to support early parent-baby relationships. The IMIS baby massage correspondence program means you can complete training from anywhere in the world, study in Perth or the Sunshine Coast, Hobart or Darwin, New Zealand or Noway, training is available worldwide.

Melbourne IMIS Baby Massage Course May 2024

Baby massage therapists are referred to as Certified Infant Massage Instructors (CIMI) or Paediatric Massage Consultants (PMC). Because of best practice guidelines and the desire to achieve the best outcomes for their clients, certified instructors and consultants teach parents how to massage as opposed to providing therapy directly to infants and children themselves.

The type of oil used for baby massage is extremely important. New research shows olive oil and sunflower oil damage the natural skin barrier, exacerbating and possibly instigating eczema. Cold pressed sesame oil (NOT the cooking sesame oil found in the supermarket) actually strengthens the skin barrier.

Baby Massage Training can be completed through the Infant Massage Information Service via a 3-day intensive course (held in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast and Brisbane) or training is available for students internationally via correspondence.

Parents who have been through IVF are at a greater risk of postnatal depression and anxiety and as such, trying baby massage can become even more important. While it's never too late to start, the earlier parents learn about massage the better. Learning and practising techniques on a doll prior to the baby's arrival enables parents to begin massage within the first few days after birth. This may help to prevent or reduce depression and anxiety.

Parents were trained by professional instructors in appropriate massage techniques. Following the intervention, a range of significant results were noted. Compared to control groups, the massaged infants cried less, slept better and had lower levels of cortisol (a stress hormone).

The first thing that draws most people to a qualification in baby massage is the babies. While there’s no denying that teaching a baby massage class with a full circle of little people, lying down enjoying their leg massage is about one of the cutest things you’ll ever see, this isn’t the most rewarding aspect of working in baby massage. It’s the parents that sincerely express how grateful they are for your help and explain what a difference baby massage has made to their family.

Did you know that even a small amount of massage each day helps to strengthen a baby's immune system? Research published by the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics shows the 'cell-killing' ability (cytotoxicity) of white blood cells (NK cells) increases when babies receive massage.

Research finds baby massage is effective for increasing mother-infant attachment

Can baby massage really help with reflux? The Infant Massage Information reviews if and how massage can assist.

Sounds strange at first but trust us... this is almost every Infant Massage Instructor's favourite aspect of baby massage. Once you know a little more about it, it may be yours too.

APPLY NOW: Applications are currently being accepted for the 17, 18 & 19 November 2023 Brisbane baby massage course

APPLY NOW: A limited number of positions are available at the Melbourne baby massage course, 28-30 April 2023

APPLY NOW: A limited number of positions are available at the Adelaide baby massage course, 23 - 25 June 2023.

Sydney / Melbourne / Perth
Adelaide / Brisbane / Gold Coast
International correspondence
Home study

A woman in the U.S has refused to seek medical treatment for her newborn daughter, leading to the baby's death, a police chief testified in court last week.

Baby Massage Perth: Applications are now being accepted for the Perth baby massage course, 15-17 September 2023.

Sleep deprivation is nothing to yawn at. Sleep plays a vital role in your health and well-being. Some parents have become so sleep deprived, they are turning to the black market to acquire melatonin tablets. It's a quick fix, but one that can impact hormone levels, affect development and lead to long-term sleep issues.

Application Applications are now being accepted for the Sydney baby massage course, 18 - 20 February 2022.

Infant massage is increasingly popular in Australia. Explore the potential health benefits of this practice and easy ways to try massage at home.

Menthol-infused baby oil that is commonly used to relieve abdominal pain in infants is dangerous for children under two years of age and their use on infants has been banned by the Food and Drug Administration in China.

If your baby is suffering from wind pain - massage can help.

Our interest free payment plans are very popular and the majority of students pay their course fees this way.

Learn baby massage from the comfort of your own home.

Easily complete 9 units of study and all competency tasks.
All theory and practical components are completed with full support.

APPLY NOW: Sydney baby massage course 19 - 21 August 2022.

Applications are now being accepted for the Melbourne 13-15 October 2023 baby massage course

Infant Massage therapists income is quite varied, with some working in baby massage full-time or part-time, as a hobby and others as volunteers. Many run their own small business and as such, they are able to set their own rates for their baby massage classes and private appointments.

Both research and anecdotal evidence from families have shown there are many ways that babies and families may benefit from infant massage.

Have you heard about the benefits of baby massage but feel unsure when it comes what techniques are best?

Have you ever tried to research what oil is best to use for massaging a newborn? If so, you'll know that it's difficult because there is a lot of conflicting information when it comes to what you should or should not be using. So what do you do?