Infant Massage is an ancient tradition now assisting many modern parents & carers to connect in a positive, deeply nourishing way with their baby's. It can assist parents to understand their little baby's communication cues, can assist babies sleep patterns (also extending the parent/carers sleep), relieve colic and assist hyperactive children to relax.
It's not a new age ritual rather an internationally recognised natural parenting initiate that has scientific and clinical studies to support the benefits of nurturing touch.
The International Assocation of Infant Massage (IAIM)
is the founding and original non-profit organisation
dedicated to promoting nurturing touch and
communication through training,
education and research so that parents, caregivers and
children are loved, valued and respected throughout
the world. The international association can be
located at www.iaim.net and the Australian chapter is
Glenda Chapman from the Infant Massage Training Centre is the only internationall accredited IAIM trainer in Australia and is a founding member of IAIM (Aust.) Inc and current President.
Australasia's leading training facility, Infant Massage Training Centre (IMTC) was established in 1994 by Glenda Chapman to provide comprehensive infant massage training programs to professionals and parents/carers in addition to educational support materials.
IMTC is the only International Assococation of Infant Massage (IAIM) accredited training facility in Australia.
This accreditation guarantees you're receiving the highest quality training not only available in Australia, but globally. The IAIM has a worldwide reputation as being the leader in the field of infant massage education. There are thousands who teach the IAIM program in 45 countries. Your qualifications are accepted worldwide.
"The training far exceeded my expectations in terms of information, research, special needs focus" A. Orr, Occupational Therapist, Newcastle
"I just wanted to say a big 'Thank You' for a truly wonderful experience at the infant massage training course at Randwick last week. I am so excited about what the future holds for me and how you have equipped me with the means to pass on my newly aquired knowledge to many parents and carers in the near future." Sarina Capo, Director of Bambini Music
I am an Occupational Therapst and CIMI working with children with developmental disabilities. Often parents can feel a little helpless if there has been medical complications with their baby. As an infant massage instructor you are able to teach the parents how to increase the bond with their child and increase their self-esteem. It provides the parents with a purpose - parents feel valued and can contribute significantly to the outcome of their child's development. Infant massage also increases the baby's awareness of their limbs and integration of their environment by providing sensory stimulation. It encourages eye contact and parents can learn specific strokes for colic and constipation. Who else better than an OT to teach this to a parent? With the background knowedge of the baby's development, the OT is in the best postion to advise the parents when teaching them infant massage of any contraindications of specific strokes. As therapist, I have been able to teach parents a skill for life that can be used with all children and can involve the whole family. Sally-Anne Dean, OT