Support parents. Understand babies. Build connection.

​

IAIM baby massage instructor training for health, early years and family support professionals. Bring nurturing touch and responsive parenting into your work with families, with practical learning and ongoing support from an experienced trainer.

​

Bringing infant massage into your work with families​

When you work with parents and babies, you know that relationships are at the heart of what you do. Infant massage offers a practical way to support those relationships, creating space for parents to notice their baby’s cues, respond with confidence and enjoy time together.

​

At Connected Babies, I deliver International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) instructor training for professionals who want to bring nurturing touch and baby communication into their work. Whether you are developing an existing service or introducing something new, the programme gives you a structured approach to supporting parents and babies.

​

Who is the training for?

The training welcomes professionals from health visiting, midwifery, nursing, perinatal mental health, early years, family hubs, children’s centres and the voluntary sector, alongside those beginning a new career supporting families.

You do not need previous massage experience. IAIM instructors guide parents to massage their own babies, helping them recognise and respond to their baby’s individual communication.

​​

Professional standards and accountability

When choosing training for yourself or your team, the framework behind it matters. As a Certified IAIM International Trainer, I work within the association’s established curriculum, trainer standards and code of ethics, with accountability to an organisation beyond my own business.

This gives you the reassurance that your training sits within a wider professional structure, with a defined certification process and ongoing support.

​

More than learning massage strokes

Massage provides the starting point for conversations about babies’ cues, crying, comfort, development and the experience of becoming a parent.

During the training, you will explore how to facilitate welcoming groups where parents can ask questions, share experiences and recognise their own strengths. The emphasis is on working alongside families, respecting their circumstances and supporting parents as the experts on their own babies.

​

You will learn the IAIM massage sequence, how to adapt your approach to individual needs and how to guide a five-week parent and baby programme. Sessions with parents and babies during the course bring the learning to life, giving you opportunities to observe, practise and reflect with support.

​

Why train with Connected Babies?

I’m Crystal Miles, founder of Connected Babies and a Certified IAIM International Trainer. Having taught infant massage since 2011, I bring experience of working directly with families alongside my work training and supporting instructors.

My teaching connects research and theory with the realities of supporting parents and babies. There is room for questions, discussion and reflection, as well as practical learning. I want you to understand both what you are teaching and why it matters, and to feel supported as you begin sharing it with families.

​

Training with me also connects you to the wider IAIM community, with continuing opportunities for learning and professional support. IAIM Trainers have gone through an extensive learning and development process to become licenced. 

​

What does the training involve?

The programme begins with four days of in-person training, followed by an assignment and practical teaching requirements to work towards certification as a Certified Infant Massage Instructor.

Your course includes the IAIM instructor manual, supporting learning materials, experience with parents and babies, and guidance through the certification process. Support continues beyond the four training days as you take your learning into practice.

​

Training for your team

If you are looking to introduce infant massage into your service or train several members of staff, I would be happy to discuss your plans.

You may be seeking places on an upcoming course or exploring a dedicated training course for your organisation. We can talk through your team’s needs, location and preferred timing, and consider how the training could fit within your work with families.

​

Professionals I’ve trained

I’ve had the pleasure of training professionals working across NHS services, local government and charities, supporting their work with parents and babies in a wide range of settings.

From individual practitioners to whole teams, participants bring different experiences and a shared commitment to supporting families. My role is to help them take the IAIM programme into their work with knowledge, confidence and ongoing support.

​​​