Increase parental confidence...

Research has found that caregivers felt more confident, less stressed, and felt a closer bond with their baby after learning infant massage. Learn more...

Parents are discovering that massage can help their child settle, sleep better, reduce crying and relieve problems such as wind, colic, constipation, reflux and eczema. Baby massage can even help to reduce post-natal depression. Massage is more than just relaxation. Learning the right massage techniques from a Certified Infant Massage Instructor or Paediatric Massage Consultant will teach you everything you need to know.
 
  • Reduces crying time.
    Various research studies on infant massage have shown that there is a significant reduction in overall crying time with infants and toddlers who receive massage.
  • Improves sleep and regulates sleep patterns.
    Massage increases serotonin levels and regulates melatonin secretion rhythms which helps regulate sleep patterns. In addition to regulating sleep patterns, serotonin is believed to play an important role in regulating anger, aggression, temperature, mood and appetite in addition to other body functions. Low levels of serotonin are thought to be associated with several disorders involving aggressive behaviour, in addition to clinical depression, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine and many more. Melatonin is a hormone that is secreted more at night to help induce sleep, and when released during daytime hours is, associated with napping. Melatonin plays a role in regulating a person’s ‘body clock’ or circadian rhythms.
  • Ideal for pre-term and low birth-weight infants.
    Research has shown that infants receiving touch therapy and massage gain weight faster and are discharged earlier than other infants.Researchers have found that low birth-weight infants are gaining weight due to increased vagal activity and enhanced gastric motility (filling and emptying of the stomach).
  • Enhances emotions and improves mood.
    Massage increases dopamine levels which are believed to play an important role in regulating anger, aggression, temperature, mood and appetite in addition to other body functions.
  • Improves wind, colic, reflux and constipation.
    Massage stimulates elimination of waste from the body, can relieve abdominal wind within minutes and speeds a natural process of the nervous system which can assist with reflux.
  • Relieves sinus and chest congestion.
    Massage helps promote adequate drainage of the sinuses and excess mucus on the chest.
  • Boosts immune system.
    Research shows that infant massage can positively influence physiological processes and improve immune function. Massage has shown a significant increase in the number and function of natural killer cells and an increase in neutrophil count (white blood cells that form an integral part of the immune system). Massage also reduces stress hormone levels in the body, which, in turn, enhances function of the immune system.
  • Reduces stress hormone levels in children and their parents.
    Known as "the stress hormone" cortisol is released during times of stress. Prolonged high levels of cortisol can reduce immunity, impair cognitive performance, and reduce bone density and muscle tissue. Massage measurably decreases cortisol levels in both children and their parents allowing blood pressure, heart rate, digestive functioning and hormonal levels to return to their normal state.
  • Early diagnosis of potential health issues.
    Parents who massage their infant each day are more likely to notice changes in their child’s physical condition, which may go unnoticed longer with infants who are not receiving massage.
  • Reduces symptoms of Eczema.
    A UK study showed significant improvement in eczema symptoms with the introduction of massage by parents in addition, Infant Massage Instructors have seen improvement first hand with many babies at infant massage classes. 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. The barrier provides a crucial protective function for the skin, preventing loss of moisture and the entrance of harmful microorganisms or irritants. Why some people develop eczema is not well understood. We know that with eczema the skin barrier does not work as well, so the goal is to strengthen this while also reducing stress levels and strengthening the immune system. Daily massage for babies with eczema helps to measurably reduce cortisol levels (‘stress hormone’) as well as strengthening the immune system by improving the function of the body’s ‘natural killer cells’ (a type of white blood cell that plays a major role in the rejection of both tumours and virally infected cells). Moisturising the skin regularly is best carried out via a short massage twice a day.  The massage strokes themselves assist with eczema by increasing circulation and lymph flow for the affected areas. 
  • Enhances coordination.
    Studies have shown infant massage improves left/right brain communication which has been suggested to improve intelligence.
  • Relaxes little muscles while stimulating circulation.
    During massage, circulation in both the circulatory and lymphatic system increases. The lymphatic system is a specialised component of the circulatory system and has various functions within the body. The two most important functions are internal fluid balance and immunity. One way to imagine the role of the lymphatic system is as the bodies own ‘waste-water system’. Like wastewater systems used in cities, the lymphatic system drains away excess, or ‘runoff,’ water from large areas. “After collecting the body’s runoff, or lymph, the lymphatic system conducts it through a network of lymphatic vessels, or ‘drain pipes,’ to miniature ‘treatment facilities’ called lymph nodes. Contaminants are then removed from lymph, just as contaminants are removed in a wastewater treatment plant. The ‘clean’ fluid is then returned to the bloodstream much as clean wastewater is returned to a nearby river or lake.
    Like Municipal wastewater systems, the lymphatic system not only prevents dangerous fluid build-ups, or ‘floods,’ [swelling] but also prevents the spread of disease. All systems of the body benefit from the fluid-balancing and immune functions of the lymphatic system.”
    (Thibodeau Patton 1996.)
  • Reduces anxiety and improves alertness.
  • Improved pulmonary (lung) function.
  • Stimulates the vagas nerve.
    The vagus nerve is a nerve in the brain that becomes stimulated, or increases in activity during massage. Because the vagus nerve branches out to control the digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems, all of these areas can benefit from massage therapy.
  • Provides a wide range of benefits to children with special needs.
    Massage is beneficial for children with cerebral palsy, asthma, cystic fibrosis, dermatitis, diabetes, down syndrome, fibromyalgia, HIV exposed infants, leukaemia, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, and a wide range of other conditions with similar symptoms.
  • Reduces postnatal complications of drug-exposed infants.
  • Enhances habituation (a form of learning).
    Stroking on the skin is a new sensation for infants to become accustomed to. Any process that is new to an infant (or unrecognised) can induce an automatic stress response causing the release of a hormone known as ACTH (Adrenocorticotrophic hormone). This process is not negative, but beneficial to the infant. The release of ACTH stimulates the growth of millions of new connecting links between neurons. The end result is that the brain is able to process information, and convert new and stressful situations into something that is recognised as being predictable and safe. This fascinating benefit has the potential to ensure infants are easier to soothe in general, and show a decrease in future stress hormone levels for the child.
  • Enhances cognitive and motor development.
    Cognitive development refers to the development of thought processes, including remembering, problem solving, and decision-making. Motor development refers to the progressive change in a child’s control of movement due to maturation and experience.
  • Relief of discomfort
    Massage causes a release of endorphins which “act like opiates to block pain (Thibodeau 1996).” This release may assist in relieving discomfort associated with painful conditions such as teething, wind, colic, and other medical conditions with painful symptoms. Evidence suggests that opioids are the most appropriate treatment for infants’ suffering from withdrawal after being exposed to various drugs during pregnancy; therefore this release of endorphins could be particularly beneficial to these babies.
  • Reduces distress during aversive medical procedures.
  • Reduces crying
    A team of researchers from Warwick Medical School and the Institue of Education have reviewed nine paediatric massage studies where parents were trained by professional instructors in appropriate baby 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).
  • Enhances attachment and bonding.
  • Enhances body awareness.
  • Speeds myelination of the brain and nervous system.
    Myelination is a process that occurs in the nervous system where a portion of some nerves are covered by a fatty sheath known as myelin. Skin stimulation speeds the process of myelination in the nervous system therefore improving brain-body communication and enhancing neural-cell firing, the process by which cells of the nervous system ‘fire’ messages to the brain and musculoskeletal body.
  • Benefiicial for parents and grandparents
    Research has shown that adults who provide massage to infants experience less anxiety, fewer depressive symptoms, improved mood, pulse decreases, cortisol levels decrease (a stress hormone), and improved self-esteem. Another study (Lunnen et al 2005) showed that caregivers felt more confident and less stressed and felt a closer bond with their baby after learning infant massage.
  • Massage can easily involve the father.
    Fathers have been seen to have improved interaction behaviours with their infants after learning massage techniques.

Massage helped with reflux, colic and relaxed my baby."
Sheridan & Carlo, Ringwood East, VIC

 

"I loved learning each new massage and so did my baby. Her reflux has improved so much that she is no longer on any medication (and my washing has gone down heaps too)! My only wish is that I had learnt massage sooner."
Anita, Strathmore, VIC

 

"Was good one on one time with my child. Keith has been diagnosed with autism this past December and we find the massage helps with calming and centering him."
Jeff, Heathmont, VIC

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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