Infant massage is an ancient practice with roots in Asian and Pacific Island cultures, believed to encompass physical and spiritual healing aspects. Incorporating infant massage techniques into a child’s routine positively impacts their social-emotional development and physical health. For those passionate about nurturing touch and seeking to share its benefits with their community, becoming a certified infant massage instructor is a rewarding path. This article outlines the requirements and pathways to obtaining certification as an infant massage instructor, providing a detailed overview of the process.
Benefits of Infant Massage
Infant massage offers numerous benefits, including:
- Promoting parent-child bonding
- Enhancing the physical well-being of babies
- Contributing to long-term positive emotional development in families
- Reducing colic and fussiness in babies
- Helping parents feel closer to their babies
- Promoting healthier and happier babies
Certification Pathways
Several organizations offer infant massage instructor certification programs. Two prominent organizations are:
- Infant Massage USA (IMUSA)
- International Loving Touch Foundation (ILTF)
Infant Massage USA (IMUSA)
Infant Massage USA is the U.S. chapter of the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM), a nonprofit support network for Certified Educators of Infant Massage (CEIMs). Each year, IMUSA trains hundreds of individuals to become CEIMs, providing them with the tools to bring nurturing touch to their communities.
CEIM Certification Process
To become a Certified Educator of Infant Massage (CEIM) through Infant Massage USA, candidates must complete a comprehensive certification training program that includes two parts:
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- Part I: Four-Day In-Depth Training: Attend a four-day, in-depth in-person or virtual livestream certification training. In-person trainings are generally from 9 am to 5 pm each day, while virtual livestream training times may vary. This portion includes trainer-facilitated lectures and discussions, visual slide presentations and videos, trainer-guided hands-on practice of massage techniques on a doll, small group discussions and activities, and practice teaching and self-reflection exercises. The training curriculum is comprehensive, evidence-based, interactive, and personal, based on the 15-point curriculum developed by Vimala McClure, author of "Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents." It offers three opportunities to participate in supervised parent-baby infant massage education classes and presents protocols, adaptations, and techniques to work with families and their babies born prematurely or with special needs.
- Part II: Student-Directed Practicum: Complete a take-home assignment after the training, which includes teaching a five-week infant massage education class (practicum) with at least five parents/caregivers participating, following the training. Submit a certification package to an International Trainer for review within the time period specified by the trainer.
Upon completion of the training, students receive a one-year Student Membership with Infant Massage USA, beginning with the training date.
Cost and Payment Options
The cost of the CEIM training is $795, which includes books and reading materials, in-person or virtual livestream training, home assignment review and certification, and a one-year membership with Infant Massage USA.
Discounts and payment options may include:
- Early Bird Discount: A reduced training fee of $770 may be available for those who register and pay in full three weeks or more before the training.
- Group Discount: A 10% discount may be offered to groups of three or more registering together.
- Continuing Education: An additional $25 fee is required for students applying for continuing education credits.
Infant Massage USA Trainers are independent operators, and all training costs and payment options are managed by the individual Trainer.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made at least three weeks before the start of the workshop may be granted a full refund, minus a $100 administrative fee. Within three weeks of a training, transfers are only allowed to trainings by the same trainer, if space is available. Participant-related travel costs in the event of a cancellation or postponement are the responsibility of the Student.
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What CEIMs Can Do
As a Certified Educator of Infant Massage (CEIM), graduates will be able to educate parents and families in private, group, hospital, and agency settings. They can also participate in research studies, conduct in-service programs, and present at professional conferences.
International Loving Touch Foundation (ILTF)
The International Loving Touch Foundation offers a 2-Day CIMI® Training (in-person) and a HYBRID Home-based ONLINE Course to become a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI®). The program is led by experienced Licensed Certified Infant Massage Instructor Trainers who are active professionals working in the field of infants and children.
CIMI® Certification Process
The International Loving Touch Foundation (ILTF) offers two pathways to becoming a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI®): an in-person 2-day training and a hybrid home-based online course. Both options provide a comprehensive program designed to equip instructors with the skills and knowledge to teach infant massage effectively.
Course Contents
The curriculum includes:
- Pre-reading of required books and articles
- Global history, theory, methodology, and techniques of The Loving Touch® Method of infant massage
- Massaging the healthy full-term newborn and the growing toddler
- Massaging physically challenged infants and children
Course Objectives
Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:
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- Describe the history of infant massage as a parenting practice used worldwide.
- Identify how birth and childhood memories can influence present behaviors.
- Discuss how to prepare an environment conducive for an infant massage session.
- Demonstrate the skills and techniques of infant massage with the use of a doll.
- Discuss the details of setting up and teaching the curriculum for the Loving Touch® Parent-Infant Massage Program.
- Describe infant cues leading to an infant’s ability to willingly or unwillingly engage in reciprocal interaction.
- Identify which behavioral state is optimal for receiving infant massage.
- Demonstrate the various techniques of a full infant massage routine.
- Assist in teaching the skills and techniques and methods of infant massage to parents and/or primary caregivers.
- Analyze own, infant, and parent responses to infant massage sessions.
- Discuss the benefits of infant massage as they relate to both infant/child and parent/caregiver.
- Review the details of setting up and teaching the curriculum for the Loving Touch® Parent-Infant Massage Program.
- Review the primary benefit categories of infant massage.
- Review and recall a variety of evidence-based research studies on the importance of touch for healthy growth and development of infant or child.
- Discuss how infant massage techniques can be applied (and/or adapted) to medically challenged children.
- Describe how touch plays a role in the development of the newborn’s brain.
- Demonstrate teaching the skills and techniques of infant massage with the use of a doll.
- Assess muscle tone for practicing an appropriate massage routine.
- Practice stroke adaptations for medically challenged children and the growing toddler.
- Practice teaching the skills and techniques of infant massage to parents and/or primary caregivers.
- Compare own, infant, and parent responses to this infant massage session with responses from a previous session.
- Practice The Loving Touch® Method techniques and sequence.
- Review the study materials and training tools necessary for the post-practicum coursework and final certification.
Instructional Strategies
The training is presented through:
- Lecture
- Audio-visuals
- Discussion
- Demonstration
- Hands-on participation with a doll and through the presence of a daily parent-infant demonstration class (in-person courses)
The program incorporates multiple learning styles, repetition, active learning experiences, anecdotal stories and case studies, audio-visual presentations, class discussions, small group interactions, brain-based learning, in-classroom practice quizzes, in-classroom authentic instruction with parent-infant demonstration sessions, hands-on play exercises, student teaching opportunities with parents attending, and a comprehensive review of the post-training exam (online) and research practicum.
Certification Requirements
To become a CIMI® through ILTF, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- Attend the training course.
- Read required textbooks, articles, and research studies.
- Complete an open-book exam (online platform).
- Teach The Loving Touch® Parent-Infant Massage Program to a minimum of four (4) sets of parents. Newborns to infants six months of age is recommended; older babies and toddlers are acceptable.
- Write eight (8) SOAP Note observational summaries, one for each of the individual sessions.
- Collect feedback from parents who have been instructed using the evaluation forms provided with the exam materials.
An initial due date of two months after the training course (both in-person and online course) is given to complete the exam, SOAP Note observational summaries, and evaluation forms. One two-month extension may be requested to complete coursework; additional extensions may be requested and may require payment of an additional fee.
Upon completion of all requirements, graduates will receive a diploma of completion, granted registration in the International Loving Touch® Registry of Certified Infant Massage Instructors, and have access to instructor forms and other materials online through the My CIMI® portal.
Student Commitment
The fundamental objective of the course is to instruct and prepare students for the CIMI® examination and the ability to teach families in infant massage. A 100% commitment to the training program and follow-up coursework is expected.
Accreditation and Continuing Education
The program is nationally accredited and offers continuing education hours for healthcare professionals. Registered CIMI® instructors maintain their credential by renewing their certification annually or bi-annually, which requires payment of a renewal fee and submission of continuing education information (three contact hours per year or six for two-year renewals).
Admission Requirements
To be admitted into the ILTF program, applicants must submit:
- Official Registration Application
- Letter of Professional Character Reference
- Personal Letter of Intent
- Signed Program Waiver
Target Audience
The CIMI® Certified Infant Massage Instructor Online Course is designed for Nurses, Early Intervention Specialists, Occupational and Physical Therapists, Massage Therapists, Developmental Specialists, Doulas, Parent Educators, Child Life Specialists, Social Workers, home-based visitors, and other healthcare professionals who work with infants and children through endorsed programs.
Neonatal Touch & Massage Certification (NTMC)
The NTMC Hands-On Training is an advanced-level course designed for nurses and therapists (OT, PT, SLP) to further their skills and promote the health, well-being, and development of both infants and infant-parent dyads. This certification focuses on integrating neonatal touch, massage, positioning, handling, myofascial trigger point release (therapists only), skin-to-skin holding, and other neuroprotective, developmental, family-integrated caregiving activities.
NTMC Certification Process
To obtain Neonatal Touch & Massage Certification, participants must:
- Complete Phase I Application & Registration and Phase II On-Line Education prior to attending Phase III Hands-On Training.
- Attend all of Day 1 (Nurses) or all of Day 1 & 2 (Therapists) of Hands-On Training.
- Complete and pass with a >80% score on the skill development activities, written tests, and video analysis tests.
- Complete course evaluation.
Hands-On Training Formats
NTMC Hands-On Training is a live course offered in either a physical location (In-Person) format or via the internet (Virtual using Zoom) format. The student-to-faculty ratio is 16:1 or less.
- In-Person Hands-On Training: Participants must arrive by 7:40 AM to complete the sign-in process. All Live NTMCs are 8 AM-4 PM in the time zone of the location.
- Virtual Hands-On Training: Participants must sign on by 7:40 AM to assure Zoom functioning. Virtual Hands-On Training are provided 9 AM-5 PM Eastern; 8 AM-4 PM Central; 7 AM-3 PM Mountain; 6 AM-2 PM Pacific.
Curriculum Overview
The NTMC curriculum covers a range of topics, including:
- Dynamic Systems in the NICU: Details how the dynamic systems in the NICU are multifactorial and how the impact of each caregiver on the infant-parent dyad extends beyond the hospital. Reviews challenges of major and minor morbidities, and how the care provided impacts the parents and the infant’s developing systems, overall health, and well-being throughout childhood.
- Neuromotor, Behavioral, and Systems Development in the 1st Year of Life: Reviews developmental progression in utero and the first year of life, with a focus on neurodevelopmental, psychological, psychosocial, environmental, and family factors that impact the infant’s long-term development. Delineates the difference between the development of a preterm vs. term newborn with implications for assessment and care for the infant-parent relationship and the increased risk of neurodevelopmental, motor, language, psychological, cognitive feeding, and behavioral challenges.
- Development Integration Model: Introduction to the Neurodevelopmental CARE UmbrellaTM and how care practices can be adapted based on the infant’s neurodevelopment. Discusses the impact of neuroprotective, developmental, and family-integrated caregiving activities on short and long-term developmental outcomes. Reviews strategies to foster the infant-parent relationship through compassionate, adaptive, and responsive care using NTMC principles and practices.
- Fostering Optimal Development: Touch, Handling & Caregiving in the NICU: Practical skills demonstrated on how to promote infant comfort, movement, alignment, and parasympathetic response to support the infant’s safe feeding, swallowing, and developing systems.
- Clinical Scenarios: Integrating Neuroprotection & Neuropromotion at the Bedside: Integration of neurodevelopmental knowledge and care practices within clinical scenarios across a range of gestational ages and medical acuity.
- Massage: Implications, Technique & Family Integration: Review of touch and massage practices, including benefits, supporting evidence, and contraindications.
- Case Scenarios with Clinical Skill Integration: Application of knowledge learned from the Neurodevelopmental CARE UmbrellaTM, with a focus on adapting care practices based on the different stages of development to positively impact the infant-parent relationship as well as the infant’s oral feeding, rest, sleep, cognitive, language, physical, and social development.
- Development Refresher for the Therapist: Integration of the Neurodevelopmental Care Umbrella is provided with a review of developmental progression for the preterm infant and throughout the first year of life, with an emphasis on reflex development and therapy assessment.
- Implications of NDT Principles: Alignment, Movement, Tone: Application of neuro-development treatment (NDT) principles and the motor control theories that support crucial systems of the body, with an emphasis on how atypical alignment, movement, or tone can affect daily activities like sleep, play, breathing, or eating.
- Myofascial Trigger Point Release: Science, Implications & Skills: Reviews the purpose, function, and effects of the fascial system on the entire body.
Target Audience
The NTMC Hands-On Training is designed for nurses and therapists (OT, PT, SLP) working with infants in the NICU setting.
Finding a Training Program
- Infant Massage USA: View upcoming trainings on the Become An Educator page. Contact the Trainer directly for questions about class availability, travel arrangements, payment questions, or other training-specific issues.
- International Loving Touch Foundation: Explore the CIMI® Training In-Person Calendar and CIMI® Online Course options.
- Neonatal Touch & Massage Certification (NTMC): Visit the NTMC website for locations, dates, and specific program details.
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