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Infant Massage

This 35 Hour course offers instruction in the ancient art of infant massage. The  content is designed to give the student solid working knowledge of infant develop-ment, physiology, and special needs, so the student will be equipped to safely and effectively perform infant massage. Also, because one of the most important aspects of infant massage is the bonding and trust it fosters between parent and child, the class will include teaching the student how to teach infant massage to parents, either in private sessions within the scope of their practice, or in a small group or classroom setting.  Dolls will be used for initial instruction, with parent/ infant “teams” joining us on days three and four.  Plenty of hands-on and question-and-answer time will ensure students gain the knowledge and confidence needed to put these techniques into practice immediately.

Students will learn:

  1.  Why infant massage has been an integral part of most cultures for centuries. 

  2.  Different considerations for various stages of infant development

  3.  Contraindications for infant massage

  4.  Considerations for pre-term and other special-needs babies

  5.  Treatments for common infant/childhood problems (colic, constipation, etc.)

  6.  Recent findings from research studies re: the importance of touch

  7.  How to “read” and follow babies’ cues when giving a massage

  8.  Ways (and “whys”!) to adapt massage for the toddler/child/teenager

  9.  Why body/mind centering and awareness is so important, for parent and child!

Expanding Your Scope/Work-Study Ideas:
Students will learn how to incorporate children's massage within their practice and perform techniques when called upon to help ease a variety of childhood illness, diseases and pain. Training in how one can approach a hospital or clinic setting to offer such services will be provided- so that
participants can take what they learn and immediately apply it to the community in which they work.

Assessment and feedback:
Students will receive feedback from inter-group practice in order to evaluate both their personal touch and their sequence of application. BY the end of the course, students will posses a working knowledge of infant and toddler massage, how to market the same to hospitals and clinics and when to use touch for healing as well as contraindications.

Prerequisites: None