Anyone who has ever watched a young infant will tell you there is something special about them. From their big eyes and sweet smiles, babies captivate us and make us want to be better people. They are full of laughter and wholesome love and remind us what it means to be truly happy. It's no wonder that working with new families can be so rewarding.">
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Anyone who has ever watched a young infant will tell you there is something special about them. From their big eyes and sweet smiles, babies captivate us and make us want to be better people. They are full of laughter and wholesome love and remind us what it means to be truly happy. It's no wonder that working with new families can be so rewarding.

Whether you're looking to retrain or considering a new career, the search for how to become a baby massage therapist is over; you can expect to experience the joy of supporting young families stepping into this special and momentous journey. When you train in baby massage, you’re qualified to work with parents and teach them how to provide helpful massage techniques, so you can achieve the best outcome for the baby and parents. So, if you’re looking for a rewarding new career that gives back to the community and improves the health of young babies, keep reading!

What do paediatric massage therapists do?

Baby massage therapists can work from a number of different venues, such as pregnancy and postpartum support centres or private practice. Using a range of modalities and specialised massage techniques, baby massage therapists will massage a demonstration doll and complete a practice teaching session with a volunteer parent and infant before they are officially certified. Learning how to become an infant massage therapist will help you see the importance of complementary treatments to improve the quality of life for babies and parents.

How to become a paediatric massage therapist

Learning how to become a certified baby massage therapist will give you a satisfying career that will actively help young families manage their day-to-day lifestyle and their child’s physical, emotional, social and cognitive development. To ensure you have the best head start in your new career, you can do a few things to set you on the right track.

  • Speak with the professionals

    There is no one better who can give you a first-hand account of their journey to become a baby massage instructor and answer an important question — how much do therapists make? Consider contacting the Infant Massage Information Service to receive reliable and credible information. In doing so, you can speak directly with an instructor who has experience working in the field. We can answer questions big and small on what therapist work involves, from day-to-day operations and how massage benefits babies to what a massage course covers.

  • Research, research, research

    From helping you realise that baby massage therapy is your calling to choosing the best training provider, researching all your options is the best way to learn how to become a baby massage instructor. It’s important to get information from the source; start by reviewing testimonials from previous students and request an information pack to settle any questions you’re left with.
     

Choosing a training provider

When you’re learning how to become a baby massage therapist, it’s essential you choose a training provider who can confidently and best prepare you for your budding career. Infant Massage Information Service is the largest and most popular trainer of baby massage therapists in Australia. Educating for over 22 years, there is no one more adept or experienced in delivering expert instruction and an industry-recognised qualification. The trainers at Infant Massage Information Service are not just therapists but industry professionals with an established background in midwifery, nursing, massage and small business management. With their expert instruction, you can achieve a comprehensive and all-encompassing education on how to become an infant massage therapist.

Selecting a course

There are two primary courses available at Infant Massage Information Service that will teach you everything a qualified therapist will need to know — from the most effective massage techniques and working with premature babies to promoting your baby massage training services. These courses can be completed through our online correspondence service or a 3-day intensive in-person course. Our in-person classes are held across Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

  • Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI)

    The Certified Infant Massage Instructor qualification allows you to work anywhere in the world training parents to be able to give their little ones a safe and effective massage daily. The CIMI is incredibly flexible and will enable you to complete your course from home and submit your theory and practical coursework online. Alternatively, this course can be completed via face-to-face training sessions.

    The CIMI course was designed for people starting their careers and those looking to refresh their qualifications and upskill. You’ll learn how to teach baby massage to parents to cover all babies, young infants and children, including premature babies and those with special needs. No prior experience or qualifications are necessary, and everything you need to successfully complete this course will be shared with you.

  • Paediatric Massage Consultant (PMC)

    The Paediatric Massage Consultant is a unique double qualification that responds to the needs of the industry. If you select this qualification, you’ll attain both the CIMI and the PMC. With this supercharged qualification, you’ll be qualified to offer private lessons, run baby massage classes, make home visit appointments and incorporate the tenants of baby massage instruction for parents. Along with a multiple choice theory exam, PMCs will create an hour-long theory-based presentation directed toward relevant professional groups — including nursing staff, early childhood educators, social workers, natural therapists and occupational therapists.
     

The benefits of studying with Infant Massage Information Service

Training with Infant Massage Information Service is enriching. You’ll be provided with expert instruction, all coursework materials, and a demonstration doll will be shipped to you. With a thorough explanation of all techniques, you can confidently start your new career with all the due excitement.

Studying with us is incredibly flexible; you can complete your coursework online from the comfort of your home or at a face-to-face class. However, studying online doesn’t mean you’ll be left to your own devices — you’ll have continuous support by phone or email with our trainers so you can clarify the content or ask for assistance. If you are gaining a certification via correspondence study, practical assessments are recorded and available via any recording device. The trainers who mark your assessments will complete detailed reports to ensure any errors or misunderstandings are brought to your attention before you gain your certification.

With no prior learning or qualifications needed, you’ll be ready to improve the lives and lifestyles of parents with confidence and a solid foundation to draw from. Once you’ve learnt how to become a paediatric massage therapist, the professional development doesn’t stop there. To ensure our students can get the most out of their qualifications, we continuously share industry developments, new research and guides to optimise how to best work with children and families.

Learn how to become a certified baby massage therapist

Infant Massage Information Service is the perfect place for you if you’re looking for a flexible and rewarding way to start your career in baby massage therapy. We offer online and in-person courses that will give you a strong foundation in teaching baby and infant massage to parents in a supportive and holistic way. Enrol now to secure your spot and start your new career with the best head start.

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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