Richard House, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer in Therapeutic Education at Roehampton University, London and noted Childhood Campaigner

“The quality and professionalism of the IAIM infant-massage trainings are second to none, and the IAIM constitutes perhaps the world’s most important and culturally innovative Social Movement to emerge in recent decades.” “Research shows conclusively that healthy early attachment is essential in human development, and the IAIM training is by far the best institutional approach on the planet for nurturing and empowering early parent-child attachment relationships.”

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Dan Hughes, Ph.D.

Clinical Psychologist, Maine, USA, Author of Building the Bonds of Attachment

“As a psychologist who specialises in working with high-risk families as well as children and youth with significant difficulties forming a trusting relationship with their parents, teachers, or caregivers, I am very impressed with the value of infant massage in the development of attachment security between parent and infant along with various related benefits to the family. The International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) offers an excellent training program for individuals who wish to train parents in the safe and effective use of infant massage. It is a very practical program which offers trainees both the theoretical framework for infant massage as well as the skills to both develop positive relationships with parents and to teach them the basics of infant massage. Parents and their babies are treated with the deepest respect so that the massage is given within the context of sensitivity and safety for both the baby and parent. Infant massage can definitely make a difference in providing a strong foundation for the family and IAIM is an excellent organisation for training individuals who are able to teach parents this most important way of being with their infants.”

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Marshall Klaus, M.D.

Neonatologist with interest in infant behaviour and parent-infant bonding

Dr. Marshall Klaus was a Paediatrician and Neonatologist whose research and work focused on the humanising of care given to the family in the perinatal period. Dr. Klaus was the co-editor of Care of the High-Risk Neonate, a mainstay in the intensive care nursery.

He was also co-author of several books including Your Amazing Newborn and worked on a book about parent-infant bonding called Bonding: Building a Secure Attachment and Independence. Dr. Klaus also served as Adjunct Professor of Paediatrics at the University of California in San Francisco.

“I am familiar with the advantages of infant massage and skin to skin contact for both the growing premature infant and the full term infant. These techniques help the parents build a bond with their premature and full term baby. The International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) is especially skilled in teaching this technique to parents. Infant massage is very useful in calming infants and enhancing growth.”

 

Sir Richard Bowlby

Scientific photographer from the UK and presenter on children’s early relationships and the work of Sir John Bowlby

“During my studies in child development, I had never came across infant massage. In 2002, when I was invited to speak at the conference of the International Association of Infant Massage, I quickly realised that the classes taught by the Certified Instructors are based on a deep understanding of my father’s work. This excellent program recognises the crucial importance of the early attachment relationship between baby and mother (or primary attachment figure). I have studied the Infant Massage program theory and practice and in my lectures I now routinely include a short video of a instructor teaching a class of parents how to massage their babies.”

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Inga Warren, Dip COT, MSc

Consultant Occupational Therapist in Neonatology and Early Intervention & NIDCAP Trainer: Winnicott Baby Unit, St Mary’s NHS trust

“‘Reading the baby’, the art of tuning into a baby’s behavioural cues, is a significant component of the IAIM approach. The dialogue between the baby and parent, an important influence on every child’s development, needs particularly fine tuning in the case of preterm infants whose sensitivity to stimulation makes them highly vulnerable, easily overwhelmed and difficult to read. Massaging delicate babies in the neonatal unit can easily be such an overwhelming experience and understanding the link between touch and communication is an essential part of safely guiding parents and babies towards confident, loving contact. As a developmental specialist on a neonatal intensive care unit that employs an IAIM trained nurse I see this approach as a valuable contribution to an individualised developmental programme that sees the baby as an active agent determining how we respond. Listening to the baby and the parents comes first and this makes the IAIM way amenable for very small babies who may not be ready for massage at all but who will benefit, now and in the future, from the power of comforting parental touch.”

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Peggy O’Mara

Editor and Publisher of Mothering, a magazine and website for parents published in the USA

“Infant Massage is a groundbreaking organisation. Mothering published articles by Vimala McClure in the early 1980s and the organisation that she helped to found is the leader in the field of infant massage today. I heartily endorse the work of the IAIM because the organisation understands that touch is not just a good idea, it is a necessary nutrient. I would recommend that you spoil your children with the indulgence of your touch. Perhaps there is nothing quite so personal and intimate as the gift of infant massage, which enriches the parent as well as the baby. Infant massage establishes a tradition of touch that enhances your relationship with your child for years to come. Look for an infant massage class in your area. As the leader in the field, you can rely on their highly trained, internationally recognised professional educators to help show you the way.”

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William Sears, Ph.D and Martha Sears

Paediatrician William Sears and his wife Martha Sears are authors of The Baby Book, The Attachment Parenting Book, and more books

“Besides the fact that it is just plain fun to touch your baby, infant massage helps babies grow and develop better. In some Eastern societies a mother is reprimanded if she doesn’t give her baby a daily massage. One of the most exciting areas of research is the connection between touch and growth. The International Association of Infant Massage provides excellent training. Their Certified Infant Massage Instructors are skilled in supporting new parents in learning the art of infant massage while deepening their relationship with their baby. It is a beautiful experience for both parents and babies.”