Certification

Infant Massage USA®s 4-Day Training is the Gold Standard for Infant Massage Certifications

A Certified Educator of Infant Massage (CEIM) has done extensive work to meet the International Standard. The requirements for certification are as follows:

1) Attend an in-depth, four-day certification training.group1

2) Complete a take-home, open-book assignment.

3) Teach five parents to massage their babies in a five-week course in the months following the training.

The Training Curriculum Covers

  • History of Infant Massage and of the IAIM
  • Massage techniques and how to adapt these skills as infants
    develop
  • Communication, teaching, group facilitation and lesson planning skills
  • Effects and benefits of infant massage
  • Bonding and the relationship between massage and bonding
  • Infant and child development in relationship to massage
  • Infant cues, crying and behavioral states
  • Massage for special situations (colic, babies born prematurely or with other additional needs, etc.)
  • Infant handling and positioning
  • Understanding, supporting and valuing parents
  • Research supporting our curriculumTraining in Nashville
  • Marketing and promoting massage classes
  • Safety guidelines for the use of oils

Educator of Infant Massage Certification Competencies

With the successful completion of the training and home study, the participant is expected to be able to:

  1. Describe the benefits of Infant Massage for the infant/child and Parent/caregiver.
  2. Recall research studies on touch in the and its significance in the healthy growth and development of the infant.
  3. Correctly describe and perform basic infant massage strokes and adaptations.
  4. Describe and demonstrate stroke variations for the older child.
  5. Teach Infant Massage skills and techniques to parents and caregivers.
  6. Observe parent-infant interactions during massage instruction, identify possible difficulties and guide the parents to a more satisfying outcome.
  7. Describe relaxation techniques for parent/caregivers and infants.
  8. Define and utilize effective communication skills that will empower the parent/caregiver.
  9. Identify families that require special considerations to empower and nurture them.
  10. Analyze strategies for advertising Infant Massage in the community
  11. Formulate a marketing plan for an Infant massage program in your community or workplace.
  12. List the potential contributions they can make in their workplace, communities, and in the INFANT MASSAGE USA® organization through their work with nurturing touch and infant massage.

Infant Massage Certification Training Part II 

Independent Study/Practicum 

To achieve certification the student must successfully complete the exam.

Demonstration in essay form new knowledge from current literature in five (5) key topical areas:

  • Growth and Development
  • Research supporting Infant Massage concepts
  • Bonding
  • Special situations
  • Crying
  • Plan and document a marketing presentation.
  • Present the 5-session infant massage class to five parent/baby dyads.

The Trainer provides Certificates which are recognized in the United States and Internationally. Infant Massage USA® is the U.S. Chapter to the International Association of Infant Massage, whose international offices are located in Sweden. The International Association has chapters and representatives in over 50 countries around the world

Our organization was founded and is supported by Vimala McClure, author of Infant Massage, A Handbook for Loving Parents.

Learn more about Infant Massage USA and our International Association.