Have you ever wondered what your baby is thinking or feeling?
The first form of communication that you have with your child is through touch.
To a baby, touching is talking. With eye-to-eye and skin-to-skin contact, the exchange of smiles, and other facial expressions, baby massage combines the important aspects of bonding between parent and child.
It's also a wonderful way for fathers,brothers, sisters and grandparents to share special time with a new addition to the family.
Parent/Baby Classes
Infant massage can be learned by anyone wishing to have a loving, caring relationship with baby(s). General classes are designed for you with your baby/babies from birth to pre crawling.
As a professional IAIM instructor Glenda Chapman is committed to helping you learn interactive communication with your baby through the nurturing touch of infant massage. Infant massage classes also provide a support platform for parents in a social and relaxed atmosphere.
Five Part Weekly Course
The five week general course is run over a period of four sessions usually 60-90 minutes per session (depending on the babies). Classes are kept to a small number to allow you quality instruction time.
The strokes of massage are easier to grasp when demonstrated personally by an experienced instructor. Pressure, rate, rhythm, the length of the massage, respect, bonding why baby cries, baby’s body language (to massage or not to massage), relaxation and parent empowerment are just some of the skills you'll master and topics covered in this course.
Glenda teaches a little at a time to ensure that you are confident with every aspect. If your baby is not accepting to be massaged during class time (we respect baby’s no signs), then we'll supply you with a doll to practice the massage.
Each week Glenda revises the previous weeks massage routine to boost your confidence and reinforce baby's expectations. Our hands-on method ensures that you will learn the art of interactive massage to suit your baby’s individual schedule, needs and development level with professional support at hand to assist your progress.
Supporting printed material is also provided. Grandparents are welcome.
Group Class Times
Parent and baby classes are held regularly on the Central Coast.
Minimum numbers apply.
For further details on the next class email: babymassageaust@bigpond.com. If you'd like to attend a parent/baby class but live in another area in Australia follow this link to IAIM accredited trainers for your area.
Private classes and Seminars
Private Classes
Individual classes are designed for those who prefer one to one tuition, or Glenda can design a program to suit your or your infant’s personal needs. Times and locations are adjusted to suit.
Special Needs
Singularly focused tuition - available for the parent or child with extra needs. Individual programs can be adjusted to suit your child’s developmental stage.
Introduction workshops for Special Needs groups are available on request. The five weekly course can be designed to suit the group needs.
In Services and Workshops for Professional and Childcare Groups
Glenda Chapman has presented various educational programs to Midwives, and Maternal Child Health staff, participants in TAFE Childcare Certificate Course, Staff and parents at Day Care centres, non profit groups such as Australia Breastfeeding Association, and foster parents groups.
Below are a sample of some of the introductory educational programs available:
Introduction to Infant Massage
An overview - A one hour session covering the benefits of and some practical and experiential techniques is available to parent groups and childcare organisations.
Infant Massage the Basics for Babies (from birth to 1yr)
A three hour workshop for parents, caregivers and childcare staff.
Topics include the basics of infant massage, contraindications, body language, benefits for parents/caregivers and babies, and practical application techniques.
