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Is It Better To Use Baby Oil For A Baby Massage Before Bathing Or After?

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Posted April 13, 2023

Massaging your baby is a wonderful way to bond with your little one and promote relaxation and wellbeing. However, when it comes to combining massage with bath time, many parents wonder whether it's better to use baby oil before or after bathing.

To answer this question, to ensure safety and maximise benefits, massage your baby after their bath. This promotes relaxation, and bonding, and helps lock in moisture for soft, supple skin. The warm, cosy post-bath environment is ideal for a nurturing and gentle massage. Always exercise caution and follow proper techniques for a safe, enjoyable experience.

The Benefits Of Using Baby Oil After Bathing

Using baby oil after bathing can also offer several benefits for your baby's skin. After bathing, your baby's skin may be dry and in need of moisture. Baby oil can help to lock in that moisture, leaving your baby's skin feeling soft and smooth. It can also provide a protective barrier against further moisture loss and help to prevent dry skin, especially in colder, drier months. 

Applying baby oil after bathing can also help to soothe and relax your baby, making it a great addition to a calming bedtime routine. Just be sure to choose a high-quality, cold-pressed oil and apply it gently, using slow and soothing strokes to massage your baby's skin.

The Perceived Benefits Of Using Baby Oil Before Bathing

Some parents believe using baby oil before bathing is beneficial for their little ones. They might believe that the oil acts as a protective barrier, locking in moisture and preventing the baby's delicate skin from drying out. Additionally, it could be thought to help loosen stubborn dirt or grime, making it easier to wash the baby thoroughly. Parents might also view baby oil as a gentle cleanser that removes impurities without irritation while promoting relaxation and bonding through massage. These are all incorrect assumptions.

It is crucial to note that using baby oil before bath time can be very dangerous, as it makes it difficult to securely hold your baby, potentially leading to accidental drowning. Please prioritise safety and consider alternatives for nurturing and bonding with your little one. If you are going to use baby oil around bath time, only ever do so afterwards.

Considerations For Using Baby Oil After Bathing

New parents may consider using baby oil prior to bathtime, massaging before a bath can be dangerous as oil on the skin can make it slippery and difficult to maintain a grip on the baby. Applying baby oil after a bath is not only the only safe technique but also the one with the most vital benefits. It can help to lock in moisture and nutrients in the skin and is generally recommended for older infants. It is important to always follow the child's cues and stop the massage if they display any discomfort or disinterest. 

The length of the massage should be determined by the child and never by the clock. By keeping these considerations in mind, parents can provide a safe and enjoyable massage experience for their baby while also promoting healthy skin and overall wellbeing.

Tips For A Safe And Effective Baby Massage

When introducing massage to your baby, ensure you’re focusing on safety and effectiveness. You can begin massaging within the first few days after birth, during your baby's quiet alert state. Use a high-quality, cold-pressed baby oil and pay close attention to your little one's cues, ensuring they remain comfortable and engaged.

Until your baby is 5 months old, it's best to separate massage and bath time with a sleep. After 5 months, you can experiment with massaging after a bath if desired. If your baby appears unsettled or doesn't sleep as well as usual, it may be a sign of overstimulation. In this case, return to separate massage and bath times, and try combining them again in another month or so. This approach will help you find the perfect balance for your baby's wellbeing whilst fostering a warm and nurturing bond.

Remember, the child, not the clock, should always determine the length of the massage. Consider your baby's stimulation threshold and how much stimulation they've received that day when deciding how long the massage should last. By following these tips and taking your baby's needs into account, you can provide a safe and effective massage that can benefit both you and your little one.

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Baby massage can be a wonderful bonding experience for both parents and infants, offering numerous physical and emotional benefits. However, it is important to consider the timing of the massage and the use of baby oil.

When using baby oil, it is recommended to always apply it after your baby’s bathtime, never beforehand. As well as ensuring you massage your infant after their bath, always prioritise your baby's cues and stop the massage as soon as they indicate discomfort or disinterest. With these considerations and tips in mind, parents can confidently provide a safe and nurturing massage experience for their little ones.

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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. 

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