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Gift Certificates
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| Q: When do Gift Certificates expire? |
A: Gift Certificates that are purchased (an exchange of money for goods/services) carry NO EXPIRATION DATE.
Fact: This is the law. In the State of California, no expiration date may be issued on a 'paid' gift certificate purchased from any seller where there is an exchange of money for goods and/or services.
Gift Certifcates that are issued as a donation (no exchange of money for goods/services) DO carry an expiration date. The expiration date is determined by the issuer.
If a Gift Certificate does not display an expiration date, it does not expire. |
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| Q: What is your Gift Certificate refund policy? |
A: Providing the gift certificate has not yet been redeemed, it is absolutely refundable for 100% of it's purchase value.
If a holder of a gift certificate schedules an appointment, and then does not show up for that appointment, the gift certificate is considered 'redeemed'; hence, it can no longer be used and holds no dollar value. |
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Infant Massage
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| Q: What kind of oil should I use to massage my baby? |
A: As with any new product we use with out little ones, it is recommended that a healthcare practitioner be consulted.
For infants without any special needs, the International Association of Infant Massage-Sweden recommends the use of natural, edible and food-grade fruit or vegetable oil. Organic and cold-pressed are recommended, but by no means the only choice. This means we look in the baking/cooking aisle of the grocery store. You probably are already stocked with a suitable oil in your pantry.
Babies will tend to chew, suck and gnaw on their hands, feet and the hands of their caregivers. They end up eating the oil. If it is an oil that you would cook or bake with and be comfortable feeding to your child, then it is an oil that that can be used to massage your baby.
Generally, a patch test is advised. Rub a small amount on an area that your baby cannot further irritate (if irritation occurs). If no redness and/or bumps appear after about 30 minutes and/or if your baby does not seem to be having any systemic reaction (check respiration and skin & muscle tone), then you're probably doing fine with the chosen oil.
Oils generally considered safe are:
Grapeseed
Apricot Kernal
Safflower
Coconut
Almond - botanically, almond is a fruit related to the plum & peach family. It is a tree nut, so do take care.
Beware of oils produced for comsetic puposes. Typical "massage oils" are not food grade. Consider buying a bottle of 'Oil For Baby Massage" - it's all natural, it's organic, it's all that a baby needs!...it was found at a most exclusive store or site for the worlds most all- natural beauty and skin care products. Would you pop the top open and use it to bake a biscuit that your child can chew on?
If the answer is "no", then go back to the food aisle. |
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| Q: What kind of oil should I NOT use to massage my baby? |
A: Mineral Oil - also known as 'Baby Oil'.
It's made from petroleum, it's the cheap run-off of making gasoline and it's flammable. If aspirated (breathed in), it can cause chemical pnuemonia and even result in death.
I have a question: Would you cook or bake with it? Is it something that we would feed our children because it's good and nutritive?
Also, the molecules of mineral oil are too large to be absorbed into the skin; hence, when rubbed on our body, it forms a clear synthetic coating over the largest breathing organ of the human body: Skin.
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| Q: Is a quick massage better than no massage at all? |
A: In general, yes. The more detailed answer to this question is that it’s really up to the baby. The baby determines when the massage will begin, pause, resume and end. Remember, infant massage does not have to be about the strokes that are diagramed in books, it’s about nurturing and compassionate touch – so just a loving stroke on the foot while feeding is ‘infant massage’.
Anecdote: A mother and father, attending the student teaching hour of my class felt ‘left out’ because her 3-month old baby started to feed just as the hour began. When our student instructor explained that massage is about nurturing and compassionate touch and that it can happen anytime, the parents instantly relaxed – their baby relaxed and they spent the hour listening, foot stroking, watching and left with a very sleep-induced baby. Come to find out, the baby normally cried & screamed after feeding - until all her burping was finished. She hadn’t burped at all this time – she went right into sleep state. |
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| Q: What medical conditions can a parent hope to treat with massage? |
A: I would be careful using the word ‘treat’ – it’s too much of a promise. I prefer to use the word ‘help’. In that case, there are a number of common infant discomforts.
Examples are: Colic, pain, swelling, cold, fever, constipation, respiratory problems, loss of weight or problems gaining weight, state transitions, self regulation, wake/sleep cycles, temperature hot/cold, indigestion, stress, anxiety, fear, anti-social behavior (possibly trust issues due to a lack of secure attachments), insecure or anxious/avoidant attachments (adopted/foster children), etc…
Research Fact: Back in 1988, researcher Tiffany Field, M.D. studied the benefits of massage with pre-term infants. Preterm infants gained 47% more weight, became more socially responsive, and were discharged 6 days earlier at a hospital cost savings of $10,000 per infant (or 4.7 billion dollars if the 470,000 preemies born each year were massaged). The underlying biological mechanism for weight gain in the massaged preterm newborns may be an increase in vagal tone and, in turn, an increase in insulin (food absorption hormone).
Anecdote: A father shared with me that since he has started giving his 8-month-old baby nightly and morning massages – after he gets home from work, the baby sleeps through the night and is more active with him in morning and the baby eats his breakfast! Parent recognition and safe emotional boundaries have set - fostering secure bonding and attachment that results in healthy sleep/wake cycles and eating habits....for both parties!
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| Q: Under what circumstances is it better to take a baby to receive a professional massage? |
A: Under general circumstances – never. Why? Who is this person to the baby, and why does this stranger get the opportunity to bond with the child? Who says the baby wants a stranger's hands on her? Providing the parents are also well and available, they have all they need in their hands and with the love in their hearts to attach, bond and massage their child – even if it’s for colic, pain management or other special needs. It is not the massage therapist's role to play ‘expert’. The parents are the experts of their babies, the babies are the teachers (teaching their language in cues & reflexes) and the massage instructor (keyword here is 'Instructor') is the guide – offering and modeling options to choose from in this beautiful art of nurturing and compassionate touch.
Picture this: A new mother comes to an infant massage class. She’s nervous, she’s never had a baby before, and she’s new at the whole ‘mother thing’. She is clearly having a hard time massaging her baby. The concept of reading the baby’s cues & reflexes is new to her. Even though she’s read about it – this is still her first experience. She asks the instructor to massage her baby instead. “You massage her, and I’ll watch – you’ll do a better job than me. She doesn’t seem to want it from me”. The instructor complies. She takes Momma’s ‘place’. The instructor, having been trained to read common cues and reflexes, knows how to ask permission before beginning the massage and is respecting the baby’s language. Instructor and baby are having a grand time and the massage session is ‘successful’. The result - the mother is instantly disempowered and is no longer the expert of her child. What I just detailed goes against our mission to empower parents, be their guides and facilitate/promote the attachment and bonding process between the parent/caregiver and child.
The alternative: The instructor praises the mother on her efforts, points out what IS happening and models on her baby doll for the parent. If need be, she asks to place her hands over the mother’s hands and move in sequence. The mother is getting the hang of it, she is recognizing her baby’s cues & reflexes more and she is offered more praise. She sees the baby smile. She is the expert of her child. Her child does love her touch. Her child does love her! |
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| Q: What if infant massage doesn't seem to be the relaxing time books describe it as? |
A: It is important to first consider whether or not the baby needs have been met. Is she hot/cold? Is he hungry? Is she tired? Is he not well...and tummy ache? Is there too much stimulation in the room - too much noise, a strong and overwhelming scent/odor or too many people & things demanding the little one's attention? Babies need down-time, and they will tell you through their non-verbal cues and in the quality of a cry. Crying is their way of communicating. If all his needs seem to be met, and all seems otherwise 'okay', then the other thing to consider is was the little prince or princess asked "Is it okay if I massage you today?". It’s a strange concept at first, but believe me – infants know what they want and don't want. It’s all a part of parents learning their baby’s cues and reflexes. Asking our baby for consent to massage him/her is all a part of establishing bonds based on trust and security – the baby knowing that if s/he answers ‘no’ in a cue/reflex, then that request will be honored. The baby, therefore, owns his/her body and learns to expect that his/her rights about his/her body will be honored – that builds self-esteem, validation and empowerment.
One couple and baby joined the supervised student teaching portion of my class one day – it was their first introduction to infant massage. They had no clue what to expect. They brought with them their 4-week-old daughter. They placed her on her back, and she laid quietly observing what was going on to her left. Her mother and father sat in front of her and peered over her as they listened to the student-instructor talk about ‘asking permission’ – and so they did. They followed what the student instructor had modeled – and with the other parents in the room began to ‘ask permission’. Momma brought her hands together over her baby girl. Rubbed her hands together (to warm them and show the baby her hands). The baby was still looking at something to her left. Momma showed her hands to her baby girl and with a smile asked “Is this a good day for a massage? May I massage your arm today?” That little baby turned her head to Momma and raised her left arm and reached out for her first massage. Oh my gosh! The light in that Momma and Papa’s eyes where unforgettable. They shined so bright that everyone couldn’t help but look over – we were mesmerized. Momma took her baby’s arm, said ‘Thank you’ and she looked at her husband and then all around the room, with a smile and asked ‘Did you see that?’. It was a beautiful moment filled with the key elements of what makes infant massage such an essential bonding experience.
This actually happened: During the colic routine, a Momma and her 5 week old baby were having a rough time – that’s not uncommon. Colic routine massages are more of an ‘intervention’ then simple attachment and bonding time. The baby cried and cried and then all of a sudden…Pooooooop! Momma laughed, baby laughed and everyone cheered for the little boy who had not pooped in 2 days. |
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Infant Massage Instructor Training
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| Q: What Infant Massage Organization Supports This Work? |
A: The International Association of Infant Massage, as founded and supported by Vimala McClure and as an international body with global affiliates is headquartered in Sweden. Vimala worked in Mother Theresa's Shishu Bhavan (Baby Hospital) in Calcutta, India. It was her experience working in the orphanages and hospital in Calcutta that she realized her vision. She had a need to "do something for others, to realize one's greatest potential and to contribute to the welfare of humanity".
This is the first world-wide organization of it's kind.
It’s theory, curriculum and focus are unique and have been carefully developed and refined through research and practical experience since first introduced in 1976. Vimala trained the first Infant Massage Instructor in 1978, the same year she wrote the first handbook for parents - her first book.
Thanks to the efforts of Audrey Downes, the Association earned 501(c)3 status, as a non-profit tax exempt organization in the United States of America in 1986. The United States held the International Office until 1992. In 1992, and by consensus of the International Association's World Community, the office was moved to Alvsbyn, Sweden where it is directed by Instructor-Trainer Mia Elmsater.
The Association is constantly expanding. The Association's first Certified Infant Massage Instructor came to be in 1978. To date, there are thousands of Instructors in more than 40 countries world wide. With its international based status, the Association works with individual Chapters, Affiliates and Representatives around the world. We are proud to report that more Chapters join the International Association of Infant Massage World Community every year.
In the United States, the Association underwent a significant change. In November of 2004, the Board of Directors of the US Chapter in Ventura, California made the decision to 'disassociate' from the Association's International Board. When this happened, there became a distinct seperation from the support and recognition of our Founders Vimala McClure and Audrey Downes, and Instructor-Trainers all over the world. For this reason, all but one USA Trainer left the group in Ventura, California that now refers to themselves as IAIM, Inc.
We choose Vimala and the Association we have always known. For that reason, Infant Massage USA (IMUSA) was "born" in the United States, is a non-profit organization and unlike the previous USA group, IMUSA is member led like every other International Association of Infant Massage-Sweden World Chapter and Affiliate. IMUSA is the ONLY USA branch of the Association's International World Community headquartered in Alvsbyn, Sweden and supported by our founders Vimala McClure and Audrey Downes and by every Chapter, Affiliate and Instructor-Trainer in the world that respects the vision that Vimala began so many years ago.
We invite you to help us continue realizing this mission and help foster the vision of nurturing and compassionate touch as cultural communication. It is our hope that, with your help, all families may benefit from the positive and powerful impact nurturing touch can effectuate throughout life at any time. Anyone who takes our 4-Day Training automatically earns place in the International Circle.
For more information about the Association's International Circle, as recognized and supported by founders Vimala McClure and Audrey Downes, please visit:
http://www.iaim.net
For more information about the Infant Massage USA, please visit:
http://www.infantmassageusa.org
Please note that any mention of the International Association of Infant Massage refers ONLY to that of the International Circle of Infant Massage headquartered in Alvsbyn, Sweden. Further reference of our world association will post as the 'Association'.
Thank You. |
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| Q: What is our mission? |
| A: To promote nurturing touch and communication through training, education and research so that parents, caregivers and children are loved, valued and respected throughout the world community. |
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| Q: What does this Infant Massage Instructor Certification Training consist of? |
A: This course is a 4-Day intensive that includes the following:
1) Lecture & Discussion of the Association: History, Structure, Future and the role of the Instructor.
2) The Association's 15-point Core Curriculum: This includes the infant massage strokes, infant and parent/caregiver communication, teaching & facilitation skills, special-situations, the growing child, marketing and much more.
3) Audio-Visual Presentation: Videos discussing research & studies on the important role nurturing touch plays in the attachment & bonding process, infant brain & social development, infant communication and infant cues & reflexes. These videos may include and are not limited to: A clinical and comprehensive video on Infant Brain Development and Attachment Patterns by Sir Richard Bowlby, Johnson & Johnson - I Am Your Child with Rob Reiner, Mother-Infant Bonding and the Intelligence of the Heart with Joseph Chilton Pearce and Amazing Talents of the Newborn with Dr. Marshall Klaus. In addition, Pediatric Massage Video for the Child with Special Needs from Therapy Skill Builders may be part of the audio-visual program.
4) In-Class Activities To Enhance Learning: This includes activities in the form of breakout and brainstorm sessions and games that engage the student's various learning channels to give him/her further experience as memorable record to draw information from.
5) Supervised Practical Experience: A 60-minute Live Parent-Baby Class On Days 2, 3 & 4 of the Training - On Day 2, the students observe the Trainer teach. On Days 3 & 4, the students conduct supervised teaching so that they may have the opportunity to experience a class in a supervised setting and be able to participate in the essential Q & A segments that follow - all which offers further foundation and enhancement of the student's innate teaching abilities. |
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| Q: May I have an outline of what to expect? |
A: Absolutley, see outline below...
THE TRAINING
▪ 4-Day Comprehensive Course Instruction – 15 Point Core Curriculum
▪ Varied teaching methodologies to meet the needs of different learning styles
▪ Relevant CDs & Videos
▪ Materials for In-Class Activities
▪ Student Exam
▪ Student Forms & Papers
▪ A Daily Agenda
BOOKS & PRINTED MATERIAL
▪ Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents by Vimala McClure
▪ Infant Massage: A Handbook for Instructors by Vimala McClure
▪ Student Workbook – A comprehensive compendium by the Trainer
GENERAL STUDENT SUPPORT
▪ Sufficient breaks throughout the course of the training
▪ At least one hour for lunch
▪ A comprehensive website that supports Student/Instructor/Trainer communication
▪ Review & processing of each student’s exam
▪ Processing of Trainer produced CEU confirmation note
▪ Lifetime mentoring to each student who earns his/her Certified Parent Educator status as an Infant Massage Instructor |
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| Q: How Much Does the 4-Day Infant Massage Instructor Certification Training Cost? |
| A: $595 USD, unless otherwise posted. Payment in-full is expected twenty-one (21) days prior to the start-date of most trainings. See each training's 'Class Details' page for payment policies. Payment after the '21-Day Prior' date will result in a $30 USD late registration fee. |
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| Q: What will I be learning in the 4-Day Infant Massage Instructor Certification Training? |
A: Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Discuss current research on the benefits of infant massage
Discuss the benefits of infant massage for parents & families and its potential impact on modern societies
Demonstrate skill in guiding, discussing & observing parents & families in the following areas:
- Infant massage, infant cues & communication and adaptation to special needs infants and the growing child
- Apply facilitation skills for use in group & private class settings
- Apply marketing skills for a successful career in teaching infant massage to parents and families |
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| Q: What is required to take the Infant Massage Instructor Certification Training? |
A: To be eligible to take the course, the student must be: 18 Years of age or over – the student need not be a massage therapist or nurse.
This work is for all who care to share compassion. Although many Infant Massage Instructors already work in the healthcare profession, many do not. Because certification qualifies Instructors to guide and facilitate parent education classes, students need not be ‘licensed to touch’. We're not massaging babies. We model on babydolls to show parents and caregivers how to massage their babies. The Instrcutor's role is to support and empower parents in the attachment & bonding process. The infant massage experience helps parents recognize that they have the very tools, in their own heart & hands, to help their child and to communicate with their child. We teach that infants are aware human beings that deserve respect, admiration and are to be heard. We teach that infant crying is to be honored recognized as a language - as it is a primary mode of communication in those early hours, days and weeks of a child's life. Crying is an infant state. This learning process of parent-infant communication remains exclusive between these two respective parties (parent/caregiver and child). The myriad of developmental benefits are the bells and whistles of the healthy and enriching experiences baby massage offers to families.
As required reading and reference texts for the take-home exam, the student is provided with the following:
- Infant Massage: A handbook for Loving Parents by Vimala McClure
- Teaching Infant Massage: A Handbook for Instructors by Vimala McClure
- Relevant Handouts and Materials
In order to actively learn and practice the strokes, each student must purchase, on their own and have with them in class, one 20-21 inch long doll. It is recommended that all or part of this doll be made of flexible plastic. The torso may be plastic or soft filled cloth. The head should be all plastic and the limbs, mostly plastic. The hands and feet should be plastic. Eyes can be open or closed. Please, no dolls with sound-effects. The doll must have clothing that can be easily removed and replaced. Your doll may be found at most large toy stores. Regardless of the brand, it is important that you acquire a doll that most suits you. This doll will be yours to model the strokes on, and it will become a very personal tool that reflects you.
As required reading and reference texts for the take-home exam, the student must purchase on their own:
The Baby Book: Everything You Need to Know About Your Baby from Birth to Age Two, by William Sears, MD
Touching: The Human Significance of the Skin, by Ashley Montagu |
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| Q: Who Attends This Course? |
| A: Our courses are attended by a variety of individuals. We have doctors & nurses, social workers & child and family welfare advocates, child life specialists, child & family intervention specialists, researchers & heads of health and human service agencies, adoption specialists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists & massage therapists, daycare staff, yoga instructors, toddler & family class leaders, lactation consultants, childbirth educators & doulas attend the trainings. Equally, this course is attended by moms, dads, grandmas and grandpas, high school, college & graduate students, and any pick of the general population are among the many groups that make up our student base. Some folks look to baby massage as a way to enhance their existing career. Others look to it to change their path and others yet are looking to start something new for the very frist time all together. How exciting! It is the variety in backgrounds, skills & education that offers our association the diversity that it so possesses. This is not a 'hands-on' course - you need not be 'licensed to touch'. All that is required is that the student be 18 years of age or older – so anyone can take this course! |
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| Q: What should I bring to class? |
A: We ask that you bring with you to class for the four days:
- Your baby doll.
- A twin size or larger blanket or sheet -or more, if you can - A pillow or cushion - or more, if you can.
- Sufficient paper and writing tools are recommended. Note taking is a part of the student’s responsibility. Although materials are provided, there may be information in lecture and discussion that the student can benefit from – taking notes may be the only way to keep record of this information. The audio or video recording of these trainings is prohibited.
- VERY IMPORTANT FOR STUDENTS LOCAL TO THE COURSE THEY ARE ATTENDING: THIS IS NOT A REQUIREMENT - THIS IS A REQUEST. Because experience is a key element to learning, we conduct a live parent/baby class as part of the training for students to watch and to participate in as supervised instructors. With that in mind, we ask that you invite at least one parent/baby set to Days 2, 3 & 4 of the training, for one hour 11:00am to 12:00 Noon, 12:00 noon to 1:00pm or 1:00 pm to 2:00pm - ask your Instructor or the Training Host/Sponsor. Ask family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc... Each student is encouraged to explore their options in finding a parent/baby set to invite to class. You or someone may know a family with a baby. If the parent/s or caregivers have an older sibling, or a family member that they would like to bring along, that is alright. The name, age of the infant/s and the contact number of your parent/baby guests must be made available to the trainer. You are reponsible for offering your parent/baby guests proper directions to the training site. If you are not from the local area, please contact the instructor and let her know, and we will arrange a group for you.
PREFERRED AGE OF INFANTS TO INVITE: 3 Weeks to Crawling (8-9 months)
DAYS FOR PARENTS/CAREGIVERS TO ARRIVE: 2, 3 & 4 of the training. Parents/Caregivers are not required to join us all three days. They can join us for one day, two days or all three. We are happy to have them with us as many days as they can be there. |
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| Q: What Kind of Doll Should I Be Looking For? |
A: In order to actively learn and practice the strokes, each student must purchase, on their own and have with them in class, one 20-21 inch long doll. the doll may be as small as 18 inches. It is recommended that all or part of this doll be made of flexible plastic. The torso may be plastic or soft filled cloth. The head should be all plastic and the limbs, mostly plastic. The hands and feet should be plastic, and if you canfind a doll that has at least one hand all or partially open, that is very nice. Eyes can be open or closed. Please, no dolls with sound-effects, and if you can find an unscented doll, that's a plus, but not mandatory. The doll must have clothing that can be easily removed and replaced. Your doll may be found at most large toy stores. Regardless of the brand, it is important that you acquire a doll that most suits you. This doll will be yours to model the strokes on, and it will become a very personal tool that reflects you.
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| Q: What do I need for my personal care & comfort throughout the course? |
A: - Because temperatures may vary, it is suggested that students wear/bring layers of clothing so that you may adjust to your own level of comfort.
- On Days 2, 3 & 4 of the traning, for one hour each day, we will be working with parents and their babies. It is important to dress consciously - Casual yet conservative.
- H20! - Hydration is so important to maintaining energy, focus and basic function. Bring plenty of fluids with you. Water is suggested, and keep drinking!
- Snacks - These may be helpful in keeping energy up: nuts, dried fruits, fresh fruits, trails mixes, health bars, etc…It is important to keep yourself nourished while we spend our energy these four days.
- Meals – We will have 1-hour to 90 minutes for lunch. Lunch will not be provided for the students; therefore, you are responsible for bringing your own lunch or visiting a restaurant in the training area.
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| Q: I am not a nurse, massage therapist or clinician of any kind. Do I qualify to take the training? |
| A: Yes, absolutely. We are not massaging babies. We are guiding families in the techniques of infant massage and compassionate touch. Since we are not massaging babies, no "license to touch" is required. The Infant Massage Class one holds for families is an opportunity for families to share with eachother, learn from their babies and build positive experience to draw fron to further the joy they experience with their child; hence, continuing to build strong and healthy bonds. the actual techniques of Baby massage is easy. The human race and animals of all kinds have been massaging their young from birth. It's a primary reason why we exist today. Without touch, we would surely die. The real skill is in guiding families, empowering parents in their roles as nurturers and caregivers and faciliting a positive experience for all draw from. This is a key component of joy, and one of the greatest compliments is finding out that families who took your class still meet one, tow even three years later for play groups. Without your class, they may have never met - even though these families live within a walking distance from eachother. Do you qualify? Do you have joy to share, to give, to receive? Yes :) |
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| Q: What is required to complete the certification? |
A: The student MUST attend all 4 days of the 4-Day Training - partial credit will not be granted. Requests to arrive late or leave early, under extraordinary circumstance only, will be granted under the discretion of the Trainer.
Within 120 Days of the last of the training, students must complete the following:
- Successful teaching & evaluation of practice teaching:
Teach 5 parent/baby infant massage classes (over 4-5 weeks)– either private, individual, one-on-one or as a group. This must be a volunteer effort – no charge to the parent or caregiver.
- Successful completion of the open-book, take-home exam.
Extensions are granted for extraordinary circumstances. In this event, the instructor MUST be contacted BEFORE the target date in order to be granted a new target date.
Required reading: Teaching Infant Massage - A Handbook for Instructors, The Baby Book and Touching.
The Baby Book by Sears and Touching by Montagu do not qualify for the Compulsory Exam.
See book details above under Course Requirements. |
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| Q: What will this certification enable me to do? |
A: Once the student completes the process, the student is then Certified as a Parent Educator as an Infant Massage Instructor . This status is internationally recognized; therefore, no matter what country you take your training in, you are eligible to teach anywhere in the world!
1. The International Association of Infant Massage-Sweden (Association) qualifies individuals as Infant Massage Instructors. The role of ’Parent Educator’ qualifies individuals to teach parents/caregivers how to massage their infants.
2. The Association does not certify instructors to be ‘hands-on’ therapists/instructors.
3. To promote infant massage, qualified Instructors may present, to the public and to professional groups, the Infant Massage Program, through lectures, media presentations and displays
4. This Certification Program is taught exclusively by a Certified Trainer. Completion of the program and/or Certification does not qualify the individual to teach the Certification Program or to teach others how to teach infant massage.
5. The Instructor’s Manual, as written by Vimala McClure and the International Circle of Trainers is protected by copyright. It is for the exclusive use by the Association's Trainers and Instructors. Except for designated articles and excerpts in the manual, no part of the Instructor’s Manual may be copied and/or distributed.
As a qulaified Instructor, it is your role as 'parent educator' to teach parents & caregivers how to massage their children. Instructors may conduct their own parent/baby classes for a fee; hence, possibly pursuing a second career, or changing careers altogether. Hospitals, pediatricians, OB-GYNs, Lactation Consultants, Childbirth Educators, Massage Birth Assistants/Doulas, La Leche League, Head Start, Community Centers & Programs (Churches, Women's Centers, YMCA, Schools, DayCare Centers, Non-Profits), Single Parents, Grandparents, Parents w/Adopted Children, Alternative Families, Teen Parents, Familes/Children with Special Needs and families with infants in and recently released from the the NICU are just a few of the populations and resources that Instructors work with. In addition, Instructors may conduct/present informational presentations about infant massage to any relevant organization, group, association or program.
Instructors are eligible to teach this course to any individual or group as a 'parent education' course to promote healthy family living through nurturing and compassionate touch.
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| Q: What age group will the certification qualify me to work with? |
| A: This certification qualifies individuals as parent educators of families with children ages birth to one year. That does not mean an Instructor cannot work with a family who has a child a little older - in fact, the course includes a section on The Growing Child. It is inevitable that active Instructors will encounter families with older children - that's okay, adaptations are easy. This is just to clarify the parameters of your specialized certification. |
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| Q: Where will I seek out families to work with? |
| A: Parents & families in your community, hospitals, pediatricians, OB-GYNs, Lactation Consultants, Childbirth Educators, Massage Birth Assistants/Doulas, Breastfeeding Organizations, Attachment parenting Groups, Adoption Agencies, Early Head Start and Head Start Programs, Community Centers & Community Programs (Churches, Women's Centers, YMCA, Schools, Day Care Centers, Non-Profits), and community events (health fairs & baby fairs)are among many great resources. |
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| Q: What population of parents/families may I work with? |
| A: Couples, Single Parents, Foster Parents, Parents of Preemies, Families with Multiples, Grandparents, Parents w/Adopted Children, Teen Parents, Just Dads, Extended Families, Alternative Families, Families & Children with Special Needs, and Families with infants in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) are just a few of the populations that Instructors and Educators work with. |
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| Q: May I Earn Continuing Education Hours For This Course? |
A: Yes! The student may earn Continuing Education Hours through their relevant group, association or organization. To receive confirmation of hours attended, the student must indicate that they wish to receive a 'Certificate of Attendance' to the trainer before the end of the 4-day course - this is all discussed before the end of the training.
Yes! Infant Massage USA is the only Infant Massage training program to offer up to 56 CE Hours.
MASSAGE THERAPISTS
NCBTMB Provider No. 450085
Our program is approved by the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) for a total of 56 CE Hours. Here is the breakdown:
Attend the 4-Day Training = 28 Hours
Complete the Certification Process - A Home Study + Exam = 28 Additional Hours
Total Hours: 56
NURSES
This continuing nursing education activity was approved by the Ohio Nurses Association (OBN-001-91) an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Assigned ONA 13,235. Approval valid through June 2009.
Our program is approved by the Ohio Nurses Association (ONA) for a total of 55.1 CE Hours. These hours are accepted in all U.S. States except California and Idaho. See below for more on California.
Here is the breakdown:
Attend the 4-Day Training = 25.5 Hours
Complete the Certification Process - A Home Study + Exam = 26 Additional Hours
Total Hours: 51.5
Each student who successfully attends the training will receive a certificate at the end of the 4-Day training stating their attendance with marked hours - regardless of their affiliation.
Each student who completes their certification process, and earns their title as 'Educator', will receive a certified document marking the additional 28 hours - regardless of their affiliation.
For California Nurses
28 Hours are documented, verified and awarded to the attending program student through the Healing Arts Institute. The Healing Arts Institute is an approved Institution by the State of California Bureau of Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education. For record of the attendance of a California licensed Nurse, please contact the Healing Arts Institute in Citrus Heights, CA.
Nurses: This program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN-CA)
Provider No. CEP 9285.
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| Q: Is There Insurance Coverage Available To A Certified Infant Massage Instructor? |
| A: Yes! ABMP (Associated Massage & Bodywork Professionals) offers coverage for individuals certified as Infant Massage Instructors working inside & outside the United States. The details of this coverage is offered in class or can be obtained by an ABMP associate prior to class. For more information on insurance coverage, please visit ABMP at www.abmp.com. |
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| Q: Has an Infant Massage Educator's facilitation & guidance skills ever prompted legal issues? |
| A: Proudly, NO :) To verify this information or to learn more about coverage for Infant Massage Educators in the U.S., please contact the Associated Bodywork & Massage Profesionals at 1-800-458-2276 or e-mail them at expectmore@abmp.com. |
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| Q: Is it possible to register and pay for a training online? |
A: Yes, for selected trainings. Look for the "Register for this class online" button on the 'Class Details' page. If there is no selection for this for the particular training you are seeking, that means registration is handled through the hosting school or agency.
If you prefer to pay by check, register for the training and ignore any prompts to pay online. Your account invoice will have the directions for payment by check. |
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| Q: What is your Cancellation & Refund Policy? |
A: Suzanne P. Reese, International Trainer, reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any Training as she deems appropriate. In this event, the student will be offered placement in any another open/public training of the student's choice. Not all trainings are 'open to the public'. Suzanne P. Reese, is not responsible for any fees incurred to the student as a result of a training cancellation or rescheduling.
For registration that is processed through an organization (i.e. school, institute or agency), students must request cancellation policy information through that given organization. |
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| Q: What is your Refund Policy? |
A: If Suzanne P. Reese cancels or reschedules a training, any registered student for that given training is offerred placement into another training, or a full refund.
If a student must cancel or reschedule, s/he must notify Ms. Reese, in writing, by post or by e-mail no later than fifteen (15) days prior to the first day of the training. In this event, tuition will be refunded minus $100. Refund requests made after this date are unable to be honored.
If a student must cancel "last minute", due to extenuating circumstances, proof of this event must be submitted to Ms. Reese, by post or by e-mail within seven (7) days from the last day of the training that student is registered in to be considered for a tuition refund of any percentage (minus the $100 non-refundable deposit/registration).
Ms. Reese is not responsible for any lost or stolen post or electronic mail.
When registration for a course is processed through a group or sponsor outside the Association's International Body (i.e. a seperate school, institute or agency), policies for deposits and refunds may vary. Students must request deposit and refund policy information through that given group or sponsor. |
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| Q: What is the tuition payment deadline? |
A: Training regsitration policies will vary according to what school, agency, company or organization is handling the given training's registration.
Due to the need to manage production costs, securing your seat with a $100 deposit for any training registered through Suzanne Reese is required by twenty one (21) days prior to the first day of the training. You can register up until the first day of the training. Please be aware that a tuition increase will incur for registration after the 21-day advance mark.
For registration policies through other schools, agencies, companies and organizations, please refer to that training host. Information is provided on each training's 'Class Details' page. |
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| Q: I understand there is opportunity to earn up to my full tutition by sponsoring a training. How? |
A: Any individual may sponsor a training and earn up to her/his full tuition or transfer that earning to another student.
The role of the Training Sponsor (TS) is as a producer, facilitator and student of the training. If it is the Sponsor's choice to not participate as a course student, then tuition compensation may be transferred to another party for the given training; however, it is the Sponsor's role to still fulfill the responsibilities as stated in the agreement. To produce a training means that the Sponsor is to find a suitable training site, locally market the training to attract students and provide support and assistance to the Trainer.
An excerpt from the agreement - 'Effort Compensation' for sponsoring the course will determined by the one or more of the following:
- The TS secures a Training Site
- The TS provides Trainer Support
- As a result of the Sponsor's efforts, a determined number of 'paid' and 'attending' students must be present for the 4-day course.
▪ No less than 8 paying & attending students earns US $400 off Standard Tuition
▪ No less than 10 paying & attending students earns US $500 off Standard Tuition
▪ No less than 12 paying & attending students earns Free Tuition
Fufilling this role is a commiment, but not without rewards. As a Sponsor, you are networking with the very people and groups that you will seek out as a Certified Parent Educator of Infant Massage. It is a fun learning experience that raises the bar in your learning experience, and you are applying skills that will beneift you in your role as an Infant Massage Instructor.
If this is something that interests you, please send an inquiry to Suzanne. A sample of a detailed agreement form will be sent to you for review. Communication with Suzanne is required to determine eligibility. Candidates from all over the world are considered. Serious inquiries only, please. |
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| Q: Does the Association offer a full Correspondence Course? |
A: I am happy to say that the Infant Massage USA (TM) does not offer a correspondence course. We are not against correspondence courses in general. For infant massage, we stand firmly against it. I will tell you why:
Our founder, Vimala McClure, pioneered infant massage as a parent education program that promotes nurturing & compassionate touch and healthy attachment & bonding well over 20 years ago. Since then, we have certified thousands of instructors and remain the leaders in infant massage. Schools, hospitals and research centers often will not accept any other certification because of our international status, our reputation, standards and ethics. Remember, when you become a qualified Instructor, you join a global family of Instructors and may connect with other Instructors and teach infant massage anywhere in the world.
Our program is a 4-day intensive/15 point core curriculum with experiential portions of observation and supervised student teaching. You can't get this in a correspondence course. Students learn from eachother - as we are all eachothers teachers. Ultimately, the babies are our teachers - and what a better way to experience that than with your peers?
We have been asked by some agencies to shorten the program, and we have always refused. Many of these agencies then later come back to us, after having experienced the correspondence or shorter courses - because they want the real thing. So, in the long run, they are spending more time & money. Ultimately, this is about serving the parents & families that we work with. We can offer the the best of our knowledge if we seek out the the better base of knowledge available to us.
It's like having an Oreo cookie and a Hydrox cookie presented to you. They look the same - then they must be the same, but are they the same?...You have to make the decision for yourself. It is a choice. |
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| Q: Does the Association offer a special training for infants with special needs? |
A: The Association does not offer a program especially for infants with special needs. Included in our 15 point core curriculum, one point is dedicated to 'Special Situations' and, among other things, this point of our curriculum encompasses massage for infants with special needs. We have International Guidelines for massage with infants with special needs - that includes NICU care, and populations who are 'at-risk'.
It is not the strokes that are difficult, it's being a guide for the parents - that's where certain skill comes in. Each hospital usually has their own protocol for this type of care, as well. Background as a Certified Instructor/Educator with this internationally recognized program enhances the work ten-fold. |
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| Q: I live outside the United States. Do you hold trainings in other countries? |
| A: Yes, we do! For a complete list of countries, representatives, chapters, affiliates and International Trainers and our schedules, please visit http://www.iaim.net. |
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Massage
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| Q: What do you use to clean your table and/or chair between clients? |
A: Merlin's Magic Recipe:
In a 16oz. spray bottle, mix
- Liquid Soap (I use Dr. Bronner's Lavender Liquid Castile Soap)
- Distilled Water
- 100% Tea Tree Oil
Fill the bottle almost full with water and then add 3 Tbsp of the liquid soap. For antiseptic power, add 20-30 drops (or more) of tea tree oil. I then dilute it even more for use on massage tables & chairs - no specifics, but just for a low-sud quality cleaner with antiseptic power. The castile soap really suds - so watch out. Good luck!
You can use this all over the house too! This recipe is from the book:
Clean House, Clean Planet: Clean Your House for Pennies a Day, the Safe, Nontoxic Way, by Karen Noonan Logan |
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| Q: Can I purchase massage gift certificates? |
| A: Currently, you can only purchase a gift certificate by contacting Suzanne and either mailing or delivering a check. We're in the process of implementing the ability to pay for services and trainings online. Stay tuned. |
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| Q: Can I prepay for a massage online? |
| A: Not yet, but this feature is coming soon. |
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Massage in Schools Program
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| Q: Can you tell me more about the Massage in Schools program? |
| A: Please refer to www.MassageInSchools.com for more information on the program. |
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