INFANT MASSAGE USA

Infant Massage USA™ is the USA Chapter to the International Association of Infant Massage headquartered in Sweden. The Association was founded by Vimala McClure with Audrey Downes, DeAnna Elliott, Helen Moses and Jody Wright. DeAnna, Helen and Jody are still trainers with us. People who attend our 4-day workshop and complete the Independent home study exam and practicum become Certified Educators of Infant Masssage (CEIM’s) These CEIM’s provide classes for parents in many different settings. Some classes are in a group setting such as in a hospital, community center or gym. Others are held one-on-one in home settings. The classes normally run for about 1 hour and are held once a week for 4-5 weeks.

We asked Linda Storm from Infant Massage USA the following questions:

What are the benefits of Infant Massage?

Benefits of Infant Massage:
Infant Massage is:

• Stimulating
• Relaxing
• Promotes Bonding and Attachment
• Gives relief

Benefits for the baby:

• Relaxes child and helps to decrease stress
• Relieves discomfort from constipation, gas, and colic.
• Helps normalize muscle tone and improve blood circulation.
• Helps baby sleep better (and, therefore, parents sleep better!).
• Stimulates brain development and improves sensory awareness.
• Babies cry less, as the parent is more responsive to babies’ cues.

Benefits for the Parent:

• Caregivers report feeling more comfortable and confident in their ability to care for baby.
• Parents learn to understand and respond to baby’s cues.
• Parents learn techniques to soothe and comfort their babies.
• Provides an additional avenue for close and nurturing contact.
• Infant Massage is one of the most natural and pleasant methods of providing this important early nurturing and an amazing tool for helping parents become closer to their babies.
• As parents are more in tune with their baby and establish a trusting relationship the benefits evolve to influence society as well.

In what instances or situations should a parent not massage their baby?

Contra-indicators include if a baby is sick and running a fever, if the baby has an inflammation, infection or skin disorder.. You may hold and stroke but not give a full massage. If the baby is jaundiced, has diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. If a parent as a concern about whether to massage their baby, they can speak with their pediatrician.

What oils do you recommend using?

A vegetable or fruit oil that has been cold expelled. These could be a safflower, sunflower, olive or even a canola oil. The oil should be without fragrance.

Visit the Infant Massage USA™ store, where you can purchase a variety of products related to Infant Massage. We are highlighting the following CD which will be available from July 1, 2007

BENGALI LULLABY – AMI TOMAKE CD


During a class we frequently have soothing quiet music in the background. The Bangali Lullaby – Ami Tomake is the theme song for our organization. The words, “Ami Tomake, Balo Bashi Baby” are pronounced “aaah-mee toe-mah-kay, bah-lo bah-shee baaabee”. The words mean I love you, my dear baby. The music is sung by Marilyn Quam with Lars and Giita Tandero, Flute and Guitar by Lars Tandero

Success Through Play™ Comments:

We commend the Infant Massage USA Chapter and the International Infant Massage Association (Sweden) who are on a mission to “promote nurturing touch through training, education, and research so that babies, parents, and caregivers are loved, valued, and respected throughout the world community”. If you are a parent who is interested in taking an infant massage class or perhaps interested in becoming a Certified Educator of Infant Massage (CEIM), please visit the Infant Massage USA website for further details. To learn more about the international chapters please visit www.iaim.net.

The Bangali Lullaby – Ami Tomake CD is very soothing and is the ideal choice of background music for infant massage. We found the CD to be very relaxing and calming. This CD can be used for adults to wind down after their busy day. Highly Recommended.

We encourage you to find a time during the day when you have a few minutes for yourself; play some music and relax. You deserve it. Nurture yourself so that you can nurture those around you.