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[I270]Infant Massage How To

by Tina Allen, Lmt, Ciit, Cimi, Tin

A Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI?) is a parent educator who teaches the healing art and loving touch of infant massage to parents or caregivers in the presence of their babies. You do not need to have any previous experience in the healthcare field, or be a massage therapist, to become certified to teach infant massage.

Certification qualifies the CIMI? to demonstrate knowledge and skill in guiding parents and families in the practical application of infant massage. Certified Infant Massage Instructors (CIMI?) teach caregivers and parents to massage their children in group or private classes. Instructors do not directly massage babies, but rather use baby dolls to demonstrate infant massage strokes.

Why Become Certified to Teach Infant Massage?

Infant Massage Instructors care deeply about families and children. By becoming certified to teach infant massage you become a healthcare professional who can provide quality parent education classes. Classes can be offered one on one for families in the privacy of their home or you might wish to offer your course at a community center, local hospital, or family center.

As a Certified Infant Massage Instructor you have the unique opportunity to impact a child and their family for a lifetime. Benefits of infant massage have long been known to include healthy growth and development, enhanced bonding and attachment, and improved sleep for child and parent. But as a CIMI? you receive direct benefits as well. There is an enormous amount of satisfaction received during an infant massage class while watching the interaction between caregiver and child. Or having a family return to your class, and hearing how well their baby slept through the night and their crying was reduced, will help you recognize the huge impact you have made on the health of the baby and their family.

And aside from just the wonderful benefits for both you and those you educate, imagine the financial satisfaction of becoming a trained professional working within the healthcare field. Infant Massage Instructors have the luxury of creating their own schedule, place of business and individual fee they charge for classes.

How to Become a Certified Infant Massage Instructor

First things first, contact a qualified trainer and register for a Certified Infant Massage Instructor Course. A certified trainer teaches a professional certification training for those interested in working with families by becoming a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI?).

This course includes a Certified Infant Massage Instructor Manual and up-to-date course materials. The student will experience a supervised parent-baby class, and your Trainer, is committed to the certification process of each student. This is not a hands-on-baby course. Trainers, Instructors & Students use baby dolls to practice & demonstrate strokes.

Certification earns the individual internationally recognized status. The title "Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI?)" is granted after attending and participating in the full 3-day course, fulfilling verified practicum hours and successfully completing a take-home exam. This course qualifies for 25 continuing education hours through the California State Board of Nursing and the National Certification Board of Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB).

Copyright (c) 2007 Liddle Kidz? Infant and Children's Pediatric Massage

Infant massage relaxes and soothes:

Not only will your baby feel relaxed so will you! Nurturing touch is a naturally rewarding way to relieve stress for both you and your baby. Touch has been shown to decrease levels of Cortisol (stress hormone) in our bodies. Cortisol is always present in our bloodstream, but high levels of this hormone can be found in our bodies during times of extreme stress.

Deepens Bonding:

Infant Massage provides you with essential one-on-one time that will enhance your family bonding, understanding and ability to nurture. During massage Oxytocin is released in both the giver and receiver's body. Also known as the hormone of love, Oxytocin is our feel good hormone. This hormone helps to provide us with loving, nurturing feelings which helps us to bond. Mothers experience and increased production of Oxytocin during labor and breastfeeding but now research shows that even close physical contact and touch stimulates Oxytocin production. Great news for all of the dads out there who didn't give birth to their baby, you can still produce the same hormones through the use of loving touch.

Improves Communication:

Touch is our very first form of communication. So you can assume that communicating through touch enhances your natural ability to understand your baby's special needs and respond with appropriate care. Infant Massage increases your confidence and sensitivity to your baby's unique cues and forms of communication. You cannot spoil a baby by picking them up when they cry. When babies receive attentive responses to their needs they grow to become healthier and more secure in adulthood.

Contributes to Development:

Growth and healthy development of your baby's body, mind and spirit are stimulated. Massaged babies gain healthy weight better than babies who do not receive massage. Additionally, nurturing touch helps to enhance the digestion process. The systems of the body are stimulated during massage which assists in the absorption of nutrients and elimination of what is not needed. For some babies infant massage has also been shown to be effective at reducing the symptoms associated with Colic.

Helps Baby to Sleep Better:

Not only does massage help your baby to release stress which builds daily from new experiences, it allows them to relax. During this special time both you and your baby have time to relax. Massaging your baby helps your little one to sleep deeper and for longer periods of time which can translate into you being able to sleep longer as well!

Through massage you will not only increase your loving, nurturing bonds with your baby, you will assist in their healthy and happy development!

Copyright (c) 2007 Liddle Kidz? Infant and Children's Pediatric Massage

Article Source : Massage Tool

Tina Allen, Lmt, Ciit, Cimi has sinced written about articles on various topics from Constipation Causes, Fitness and Family. Looking for expert advice, tips and tools to begin teaching infant massage? Find answers to all your questions about infant massage instruction training, massage for children and. Tina Allen, Lmt, Ciit, Cimi's top article generates over 550000 views. to your Favourites.