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 privilege and opportunity to impact a child and their family for a lifetime. Benefits of infant massage include enhanced bonding and attachment, healthy growth and development, 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