Units of study | Baby Massage

Professional infant massage training grounded in evidence-informed, family-centred practice

The IMIS infant massage training program is designed to help you confidently guide and support families using a responsive, cue-based approach to infant and paediatric massage.

Whether you are looking to begin meaningful work supporting families, expand your existing professional role, or deepen your understanding of infant development and connection through touch, this training provides both practical skills and comprehensive professional knowledge.

Throughout your training, you will explore:

infant massage techniques and responsive touch
infant cues, communication and co-regulation
attachment and emotional development
infant mental health and family wellbeing
massage adaptations across childhood
working with premature and medically fragile infants
inclusive practice and additional needs
group facilitation and parent support
professional practice and service delivery

The course combines practical application with evidence-informed theory, helping you develop confidence while understanding the research and principles that underpin infant massage practice.

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A Family-Centred, Cue-Based Approach

Parent and baby engaging in a responsive, family-centred infant massage interaction

At IMIS, infant massage is taught as a responsive interaction between parent and child, not as a rigid routine to be completed.

You will learn how to guide and support parents to:

recognise and respond to their child's cues
adapt massage based on comfort, readiness and engagement
create calm, connected interactions through touch
build confidence in responding to their child's individual needs

Massage techniques are demonstrated using dolls during training and in professional practice. The focus is on supporting parents as the primary caregivers, while promoting respectful, emotionally safe and responsive interactions.

This approach helps families feel empowered, connected and supported, while also reflecting current understanding around attachment, co-regulation and responsive caregiving.

Evidence-Informed Professional Training

The IMIS curriculum has been developed using current research and evidence relating to infant massage, attachment, touch, regulation, infant development and family wellbeing.

Training explores topics including:

attachment theory and bonding
the role of touch in early development
infant mental health and co-regulation
the vagus nerve and calming touch
sensory development and responsive interaction
stress regulation and emotional safety
infant cues and behavioural communication
prematurity and medically fragile infants
trauma-informed and inclusive practice
current research surrounding infant massage and touch

The training manual includes extensive evidence-informed content and professional reference material designed to support both learning and ongoing professional practice.

What You Will Learn

Infant Massage Techniques

Learn the practical foundations of infant massage and responsive touch using a safe, flexible and cue-based approach that can be adapted for different babies, children and family situations.

Topics include:

preparing for massage time
positioning for comfort and safety
recognising infant cues and asking permission
full body infant massage techniques
passive limb movements
touch-supported relaxation
adapting pressure, pace and timing
massage across infancy and childhood
using voice, eye contact and interaction during massage
supporting parents to adapt massage responsively

Infant Development and Behaviour

Develop a deeper understanding of infant development, communication and emotional regulation through the lens of responsive caregiving and relational touch.

Topics include:

attachment theory and bonding
the role of touch in early development
infant cues and behavioural communication
co-regulation and emotional safety
infant mental health
the vagus nerve and calming touch
sensory development and regulation
stress responses and soothing
serve-and-return interaction
how early experiences shape development
developmental stages from infancy through childhood

Supporting Common Challenges

Learn how infant massage may be adapted to support comfort, connection and regulation during common infant and childhood experiences.

Topics include:

gastrointestinal discomfort
wind and constipation
colic considerations
teething discomfort
relaxation and settling
supporting emotional regulation
massage during vaccinations and medical procedures
sleep and massage considerations
stress reduction and calming strategies
understanding when massage should be modified, paused or avoided
safety considerations and contraindications

Premature and Medically Fragile Infants

Gain an understanding of developmental touch principles and responsive support for premature, medically fragile and vulnerable infants.

Topics include:

prematurity and medical fragility
reading stability and readiness for touch
developmental touch principles
massage adaptations for vulnerable infants
supporting regulation and comfort
neonatal and hospital considerations
gastrointestinal function and bilirubin research
safety, clinical boundaries and communication
understanding risks and contraindications
medically complex care considerations
understanding what massage can and cannot do

Inclusive Practice

Learn how to adapt infant massage support for diverse family circumstances, developmental differences and additional needs.

Topics include:

family-centred and inclusive practice
working respectfully with diverse families
supporting families under pressure
neurodevelopmental differences
sensory sensitivities
adapting massage for different muscle tone
trauma-informed considerations
supporting emotional safety
massage adaptations for additional needs
referral considerations and professional boundaries
flexibility in real-world session delivery

Facilitating Sessions

Build confidence in facilitating infant massage sessions in practical, real-world settings.

Topics include:

structuring infant massage sessions
group classes and introductory workshops
one-on-one appointments
creating calm and welcoming environments
responsive facilitation in real time
supporting parent confidence
managing common session situations
adapting sessions flexibly
communicating clearly and respectfully with parents
facilitating sessions across different ages and stages
building confidence in professional practice

Professional Practice

Explore the practical and professional considerations involved in offering infant massage services within ethical and professional boundaries.

Topics include:

setting up infant massage services
integrating infant massage into existing professional roles
professional scope and boundaries
ethical communication and promotion
professional terminology and messaging
legal and professional responsibilities
fees and session planning
record keeping and administration
insurance considerations
partnering with organisations and community services
ongoing professional support through IMIS

Qualification Pathways

The Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) and Paediatric Massage Consultant (PMC) pathways complete the same core training content.

Students undertaking the PMC pathway complete one additional assessment task and must meet eligibility requirements relating to professional background or qualifications.

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Practical Learning and Ongoing Support

Training is designed to help you feel supported, confident and prepared to work with families in real-world settings.

Throughout the course, you will receive:

comprehensive training materials
practical demonstration guidance
assessment support
ongoing trainer assistance
access to professional resources
post-course support through IMIS membership

Many students continue referring back to the IMIS training manual long after completing their qualification due to the depth of practical guidance and professional reference content included throughout the program.

Students participating in practical infant massage training with demonstration dolls and course materials

Who This Training May Suit

This training may suit:

nurses and midwives
allied health professionals
massage therapists
doulas and birth workers
early childhood educators
community and family support workers
parenting professionals
child and family practitioners
individuals looking to begin meaningful work supporting families

Students complete the course from a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds, both within Australia and internationally.

A Qualification That Continues Beyond The Course

Infant massage is more than a sequence of techniques.

At its core, it is about connection, responsiveness, communication and supporting families to feel calm, confident and emotionally connected with their child.

The IMIS training program is designed to help you develop practical skills, professional confidence and a deeper understanding of how responsive touch can support both infants and families.

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Enrol Now

Met my expectations and more. I loved all of it. I was given good information and paperwork to reflect back on. The class facilitator was an awesome trainer who made the course really interesting and easy to understand.

I haven’t studied for years and didn’t think I would enjoy the course soo much. Professional, friendly, approachable . I absolutely loved it and our instructor Heidi was so knowledgeable and just lovely.

If you are thinking of a qualification in Infant Massage then I would not go anywhere else. These guys were great and very professional. Our trainer Paula was patient and thorough in her approach. I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend them.

Easy and informative. Went above what I was expecting.

Course Content

Professional infant massage training grounded in evidence-informed, family-centred practice

A Family-Centred, Cue-Based Approach

Evidence-Informed Professional Training

What You Will Learn

Qualification Pathways

Practical Learning and Ongoing Support

Who This Training May Suit

A Qualification That Continues Beyond The Course