10% discount for knowitall.ch readers!
The Swiss chapter of the International Association for Infant Massage is offering knowitall.ch parents a 10% discount on any baby massage course booked before the end of 2016.
Widely believed to support the development of the bond between the caregiver and the baby, baby massage offers a number of benefits for those involved in the massage process. Regional representative from the Romandie region, Wilma Amrein-Good told knowitall.ch,
“Through touch, babies are given an opportunity to develop a sense and awareness of their bodies and limbs. They experience positive touch and become aware of their bodies in a relaxed state. The massage allows an outlet for any stress or over-stimulation that a baby may be going through and can help to stimulate development in many areas for example muscle development, circulation, digestion, immunity, sensory integration, etc. Most importantly infant massage allows for valuable caregiver and baby interaction during which they both learn a lot about each other and become aware of even very subtle signals of communication.”
She added, “For infants who suffer from colic and/or bloating, the massage movements can help to relieve these painful symptoms. Our founder, Vimala McLure, has created a specific massage sequence that can be followed in cases of colic and/or bloating.”
History of the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM)
The International Association of Infant Massage was developed and founded by Vimala McClure in 1981. While working in an orphanage in India, Vimala witnessed and experienced the benefits and beauty of infant massage. Vimala combined the infant massage that she learned, with elements from Swedish massage, yoga and reflexology to develop the baby massage courses that are taught by IAIM trained instructors throughout more than 60 countries worldwide. The Swiss chapter of the association was started in 2000.
Baby Massage Courses
The baby massage courses given by the Swiss association consist of 5 lessons (1 - 1.5 hours per lesson). The lessons may take place in a rented room, in the instructor’s home, or in your own home. Both individual and group classes are available.
Parents, together with their baby (age 0-12 months), learn, experience, explore and discuss massage strokes, techniques and various aspects of touch and massage theory. During the classes other elements of parenting and newborns (such as bonding, crying, challenges etc.) are also discussed and reflected upon.
As the bond between parent and baby is one of the most important elements of baby massage, the parent massages his/her baby throughout the classes. The course instructor demonstrates the massage strokes on a doll. This allows the baby and parent to make their experience of massage a very personal and special moment of bonding, interaction and relaxation.
Highly recommended
If you need any more convincing about the benefits of baby massage, this is what one client, Linda Meins, told us about her experience on an IAIM baby massage course, “My daughter and I highly enjoyed the private lessons given to us in the quietness of our own home. The instructor was flexible and open to adjust to my baby’s needs. In the first lesson you get a general overview and learn how to massage the baby’s legs and feet. With every further lesson you learn how to massage the rest of your baby’s body, adding something new every time. This is nice, since it gives you time for you and your baby to adapt and get used to being massaged gradually. Furthermore, it gives you time to practice, improve and find your own pace.”
She continued, “We also received handouts which included a visual step-by-step review of each lesson. This was very useful and helped you remember all the steps. In addition, we were also given interesting articles on baby’s crying and bonding and I was able to discuss my role as a new mother with the instructor who took time to reflect with me. It was a very enriching experience for us and even my husband started learning the steps from me and giving our daughter her massage. I highly recommend the baby massage courses by IAIM.”
To find out more about the activities of the Swiss Association of Baby Massage, you can visit their website at www.iaim.ch. For more information on private or group courses in the Romandie region, please contact Wilma Amrein-Good directly using the contact details below. To claim your discount, just mention this article when you speak to Wilma.
Swiss Association of Baby Massage
Wilma Amrein-Good
Regional Representative for Romandie
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
079 628 74 03
www.iaim.ch
