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While adults can medicate newborns for a gassy tummy, the discomfort and pain it can cause will likely keep their little one up at night, resulting in a restless sleep for everyone involved. A massage for a gassy newborn can make all the difference — but for a baby tummy massage to be soothing and effective, parents need to use the correct techniques.

Our online baby massage courses will teach people how to help parents get equipped with the essential skills and techniques needed to give a baby tummy massage with ease. At the Infant Massage Information Service (IMIS), we have put together a handy guide to help people understand why babies are prone to excess gas and how to recognise symptoms. Our detailed guide will teach you how to administer and train parents on giving a baby massage for wind. 

Why babies are prone to gassy tummies 

It’s common for babies to experience excess gas until they reach the age of 4 to 6 months, and sometimes far longer as their digestive systems develop. Occasionally, it’s due to the make-up of the breast milk — it’s certainly not unusual for newborns to be sensitive to their mother’s diet if she’s breastfeeding. However, since there are many foods that may cause gas, limiting foods is not advised. Instead, it’s best to monitor the child’s behaviour over time and rule out other external factors.

Other leading causes of infant gas include:

  • Drinking too much milk, too fast — When milk flows from the bottle too fast, or breast milk is released too quickly, babies tend to gulp down large quantities of milk, which can lead to excess gas.
  • Swallowing too much air — Babies tend to swallow excess air when crying or bottle-feeding. Air-swallowing can be reduced by using slow-flow teats and positioning the baby at a 45-degree angle while feeding. A nursing pillow may help reduce arm and back strain for the parent and provide support for the little one.
  • Producing too much milk — High levels of the hormone prolactin lead to an oversupply of milk. If a baby is frequently spitting up, has watery stools or is experiencing excessive gas, they may be consuming watery foremilk rather than the fatty hindmilk they require. Limiting feedings to one breast for an extended time can help babies access the optimum milk supply and alleviate symptoms.
  • Babies who skip days between stools — After the first 6-8 weeks of breastfeeding, it’s not uncommon for babies to go several days without passing a stool, which can cause excess gas. As long as the baby’s abdomen remains soft, they are alert, and their stool is soft, this should not be cause for concern. 
  • Baby food or drink besides breast milk — Vitamins, formulas, teas, medications, and juice can all increase the likelihood of excess gas. Similarly, food intolerances often show up as gas and bloating.

Symptoms of a gassy belly and what to look out for 

It’s perfectly normal for babies to pass gas now and then. But there are a few telltale signs that a baby might be passing more gas than usual, and they’re worth watching out for. These signs include: 

  • An extra fussy baby — Does the baby cry or fuss for an hour or more every day? While this symptom can be common, parents should check with a paediatrician if it persists.
  • Difficulty sleeping or eating — The discomfort excessive gas causes can make it difficult for babies to maintain a proper sleeping or feeding routine.
  • A red face while crying — When a baby’s face turns red while crying, it could indicate they’re experiencing abdominal pain.
  • Squirming baby — When a squirming infant brings its legs up to its chest during bouts of fussiness, it’s a sign that the baby is uncomfortable and may indicate the presence of excess gas. 

How to massage a baby's belly for gas

A baby tummy massage naturally relieves the discomfort and pain caused by gas, encouraging trapped air to move through the body. Some studies show that baby tummy massage increases insulin levels, improves gastric mobility and promotes better nutrient absorption. Knowing when and how to administer a baby massage for wind is vital. 

  • Consult your doctor — Check with a doctor to determine whether massaging the newborn’s tummy is likely to be the most effective treatment for their symptoms and rule out any other potential health issues. 
  • Massage the newborn’s tummy at the time of discomfort — The timing of a massage for a gassy newborn is critical to help alleviate their pain. Always give a baby tummy massage when the infant starts showing signs of discomfort.
  • Use an edible baby oil (optional) — As well as treating the pain and discomfort associated with excess gas, massaging the baby’s skin with edible oil is ideal compared to using an oil with a strong fragrance. Patch test with a small drop of oil in the crease of the elbow and behind the knee and monitor the area for 24 hours for potential skin sensitivity and allergies.  

When giving a baby massage for gas, you can use a few techniques. Here are the essential things to keep in mind while you massage a gassy newborn who is experiencing colic symptoms:

  • Start by identifying common colic symptoms — The main signs that a baby is experiencing colic or wind pain includes a painful cry that lasts for hours, pulling their legs towards the abdomen, crying at the same time every day (mainly in the morning and the evening), and a swollen abdomen during attacks. 
  • Colic wind and constipation massage techniques — This works best for babies facing daily colic or constipation pain. Based on the severity of the discomfort, the massage can be performed twice a day for four weeks during morning and evening bouts of colic. Here are the steps for you to follow to perform a baby massage for gas: 
Step 1: Reassure the baby — Start by reassuring the newborn in a gentle and soothing tone.
Step 2: Warm the abdomen area — Lay the baby on its back in front of you. Gently massage the tummy area in a clockwise direction from left to right. Only massage the lower half of the abdomen area.
Step 3: Perform the scooping technique — Gently place your hand flat across the width of the infant’s tummy. Start scooping downwards from below the diaphragm to the base of the tummy. Alternate which hand you use with each stroke. 
Step 4: Bring the knees to the abdomen — Slowly bring both the baby’s knees towards the abdomen by holding one leg in each hand. 
Step 5: Finish with the letter ‘n’ technique — Hold the baby’s feet and move their legs up and down while following the shape of the letter. Don’t forget to cuddle them afterwards!
Step 5: Finish with the letter ‘n’ technique — This stroke must be performed in a direction that aligns with the way substances move through the colon. With the baby lying in front of you, start by placing your left hand’s index and middle finger to the inside of the hip bone. Draw a straight line up and stop at the diagram. Repeat the same process with the right hand and once again stop under the diaphragm. After these steps, slowly glide your fingers across the abdomen. Once at the side of the tummy, finish with a downward stroke while keeping your fingers horizontal. This final stroke should finish inside the baby’s left hip bone (which is to your right).

Enrol in a baby tummy massage course online today

If you want to gain new skills to train parents on how to massage a baby’s belly for gas, sign up for one of our professionally recognised face-to-face or online baby massage courses and secure your qualification with us today.

  • Certified Infant Massage Instructor — After completing this course, you will be qualified to teach parents infant massage techniques in a classroom setting or in private appointments. No previous experience is required. 
  • Paediatric Massage Consultant — As a massage consultant, you can share the benefits of paediatric massage with parents and build awareness for health professionals who work with families. To enrol, you must have relevant experience or training, such as a degree in nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, or early childhood education. 

In pursuing this career path, you will help new parents be receptive to their baby’s wants and needs so they can confidently massage their newborn’s tummy and reduce the discomfort caused by gas. Once you enrol in our training course, you will receive a training kit based on your chosen package and gain access to our online massage video tutorials. 

We have three packages: a bronze pack with the training necessities, a silver pack with training and promotional essentials, and a gold pack with a full resource set comprising demo dolls, organic oils, posters, and manuals. 

While you’re here, browse our store to find comfy cushions, snuggle pillows, covers, and more.

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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