There are numerous certified infant massage education programs that allow interested adults to earn their certification in this area.
Benefits of Infant Massage
Infant massage isn't a new practice in the world of pediatric care. In fact, infant massage has been used for centuries and continues to be practiced in a variety of cultures. The benefits are numerous, as the practice impacts development both physically and emotionally. The best part? Infant massage is simple to do. Certified infant massage education specialists are sometimes associated with pediatric practices, and these specialists can teach you how to massage your baby in often less than a week.
Benefits for Babies
- Promotes parent/child attachment and bonding.
- Reduces an infant's stress and encourages relaxation. (This is particularly beneficial for a colicky baby.)
- Reduces intestinal discomfort associated with gas, colic, and constipation.
- Improves blood circulation and works muscle tone.
- Improves sensory development.
- Stimulates brain activity and development.
- Encourage better sleep habits.
Benefits for Parents
- Boosts parental confidence in childcare.
- Encourages parents' understanding of their child's needs.
- Provides opportunities for nurturing and attachment.
- Creates a calm environment for parent and child.
About Massage Programs
What is the importance of a certified infant massage education, and why should someone become certified? You may be asking yourself why you need to attend an infant massage class taught by a certified trainer. After all, you already know your baby's needs, and you understand how to care for her. Surely you can massage her without being trained. While these are legitimate thoughts, many parents don't understand how to massage their infants correctly, and thus they and their child miss out on many of the wonderful benefits associated with this practice.
A training program encompasses a wide variety of areas involved in infant massage, including appropriate massage lengths, specific concentration areas, and health issues that may need to be addressed. Learning how to massage your infant involves more than just understanding how to do the massage; it also focuses on specific objectives that should be met during each session.
Finding a Certified Infant Massage Education Program
If your motivation for finding a certified infant massage therapy program revolves around your desire to become a certified instructor, then look for the following requirements:
- Specifically designed curriculum-The curriculum should include specific objectives and offer hands-on training. The course should include specific education on not only how to do infant massage correctly, but also why massage is important to an infant's overall development.
- Comprehensive training-A comprehensive training program should be conducted over several days. Students should take part in observations and practice instruction with parents and children. There should be plenty of opportunities for students to ask questions, observe various techniques, and apply those techniques in real situations.
- Certification exam-In order to obtain an infant massage certification, participants should pass an exam at the end of the end of the instructional period.
- Practicum hours-After passing the exam, the participant should fulfill a specified amount of practicum hours with a supervising massage therapist before receiving certification.
- Certified program-The program you attend should be certified by the National Certification for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).
Course Objectives
Specific course objectives should be addressed during the certification process. These should include some or all of the following:
- Learn the basic and specialized infant massage techniques.
- Understand the basis for performing infant massage based on prior research-based studies.
- Understand the variations of massage strokes and techniques as they differ from infants to older children.
- Demonstrate massage therapy to other instructors, as well as parents and other caregivers.
- Communicate and model massage techniques to parents and caregivers.
- Communicate tips and suggestions to parents and caregivers on the topic of parent/infant interaction and procedures.
- Communicate an understanding of special considerations and accommodations if necessary.
For more information, visit the Infant Massage USA website.
