This document provides a summary of research on infant massage. Over 20 years of studies show infant massage may help with sleep, brain growth, and development. However, not all infant massage information is of high quality. The summary outlines factors that research indicates are important for effective infant massage programs, including using a cue-based approach, learning from a trained instructor in small groups, and ensuring the parent and baby's comfort and response. The International Association of Infant Massage can help parents find quality programs and address any concerns.

1. A Plain-English Guide to Infant
Massage Research:
What Every Parent
Should Know
The International Association of Infant Massage, Australia
www.iaim.org.au

2. A Guide to Infant Massage:
What Every Parent Should Know
“Infant massage” is more popular than ever amongst both parents and health workers for good reason. Over the past
twenty years, literally dozens of scientific studies have shown using massage with babies may help with many issues –
from promoting better sleep, through to enhancing brain growth and development.
The results of these sorts of studies are very exciting to both parents and health workers alike. However (just like
childbirth, breastfeeding, settling a new baby, and many other parenting skills), while infant massage and healthy touch
might be completely natural – they don’t necessarily always come easily to parents. For this reason, you may turn to
books, videos, the internet, classes and other sources of information to find out how to use massage with a your new little
baby...and the quality of this information can vary widely.
The International Association of Infant Massage, Australia (IAIM) is a not-for-profit charity, dedicated to supporting
parents access high-quality information about infant massage. We are part of a global organisation active in over 53
countries, the most experienced infant massage organisation in the world, and have the highest level of accreditation and
recognition of any infant massage organisation in Australia.
In this e-book, we aim to provide parents with a plain-English summary of the research about infant massage to support
you make an informed choice and answer questions like:
Is infant massage something my baby needs?
What is the best and safest way to learn infant massage?
How do I know if information about infant massage is of a “high quality”?
First though, let’s take a look at why so many people are interested in infant massage and what it actually is...
2

3. What Every Parent Should Know:
There’s Good Reason to be Interested in Infant Massage
The benefits of massage and touch for babies has been of interest to medical & health researchers for well-over 25
years. Just a small sample of the most important peer-reviewed studies in this field reveal:
Babies whose mothers were depressed,
Brain scan studies revealed more Mothers who use lots of gentle touch
had better social, emotional and
behavioural outcomes when their
stunted brain growth in children and stroking with their baby appear to
mother’s learned the IAIM infant who had lower levels of touch and reverse the negative impacts of
massage program, compared with nurturing during the early years. pre-natal depression on their
(Proceedings of the National Academy of
babies whose mothers attended a
Sciences, 2012)
baby’s brain development
depression support group only (PLOSOne, 2012)
(Journal of Affective Disorders, 2001)
High quality touch education for
When baby rats are given high-levels mothers was found to improve Infant massage appears to help
of touch and massage in infancy, maternal mood, and to reduce key reduce crying, improve baby’s
gene expression can be altered and risk factors for development of child sleep-awake patterns, and reduce
their brains develop a resistance to abuse levels of toxic stress hormones in
opiate addiction later in life (Assn. For Women’s Health, Obstetric & the brain.
(Journal of Neuroscience, 2011) Neonatal Nurses, 2012) (Cochrane Library, 2006).
Parents Need to Know:
 Researchers and health practitioners widely agree that healthy touch, stroking and skin-to-skin contact is crucial for a baby’s early
brain, social and emotional development.
 Based on all of this research, a lot of claims about the “benefits” of infant massage are made. However, there are many different
styles and types of infant massage education and information available.
 So, even though the research looks good on the surface, not all infant massage information given parents reflects the research.
Knowing how to pick out good quality resources is crucial for parents who want safe and accurate information.
3

4. What Every Parent Should Know:
There are 3 types of Baby Massage
Therapy-Based Rule-Based Cue-Based
Baby Massage Baby Massage Baby Massage
Used to treat physical Applies massage strokes Uses massage, touch and
problems or disabilities. using a set of rules. other interactions to enhance
parent-baby relationships.
A focus on baby’s physical A focus on doing massage A focus on the parent, the
condition. strokes and routines correctly. baby, and their relationship.
Uses medium pressure Uses medium-to-light
Uses deep pressure massage.
massage. pressure and other forms of
touch depending on baby’s
preferences.
Massage done by therapist or Massage done by the parent.
Massage done by a therapist.
parent.
Parents Need to Know: Parents Need to Know: Parents Need to Know:
 Deep pressure can injure babies.  Rule-based baby massage uses  Shows parents how to recognise
 Carefully check qualifications of one-size-fits all strokes, routines and understand their own baby’s
any person offering to “do massage and approaches - regardless of the cues and body language.
therapy” on your baby. baby or parent’s unique and  Shows parents how to adapt and
 Talk to your baby’s Physio or individual needs and preferences. adjust massage and touch in
Occupational Therapist first. response to their own baby’s
needs.
4

5. What Every Parent Should Know:
I t i s S a f e s t t o L e a r n f r o m A Tr a i n e d P e r s o n
In 2011, Medical Researchers from the University of Warwick conducted a study which compared
the results of 8 different infant massage programs. The researchers were particularly interested in
the impact of these programs on parent and infant mental health.
Parents whose babies Parents whose
Some babies and were the same - or a bit babies were a lot
parents were better off – had learned better off had learned
better-off after baby massage from an baby massage from
learning infant instructor who trained in someone trained in
rule-based infant cue-based infant
massage massage massage
Parents whose babies were
Some babies and worse off had all learned baby
parents were No scientific studies
massage from a health have been conducted
worse-off after
?
professional (nurse, social to determine the safety
learning infant worker, etc.) who did not
or benefit of using
massage/ have any specific training in
videos or online
baby massage education
instructions to learn
baby massage.
Based on the Evidence, Parents Need to Know:
 Cue-based programs appear to be supported in the evidence as the best approach to learning infant massage.
 Reviews of hundred of other studies (1, 2) confirm that doing a program with a health professional who has not been
formally trained in that particular program, can actually make things worse. Always carefully check the credentials of
someone who is teaching baby massage – even if they are a qualified health professional.
5

6. What Every Parent Should Know:
Yo u a n d Yo u r B a b y B e l o n g To g e t h e r
While it might seem tempting to hand over the responsibility massage for your baby to someone who
“knows all the strokes”, evidence shows there are no specific benefits of having a therapist massage your
baby. In fact, many studies show that when someone “takes over” from you in this way, it can leave many
parents with less confidence in themselves, which can have serious long-term consequences.
Many studies have investigated the different ways
A S KILLED AND S AFE health professionals teach baby-care skills (such as
baby massage educator will help bathing, feeding, settling, nappy-changes...as well as
keep you and your baby baby massage). These studies consistently find that
when a professional or educator
‘jumps in’ to do the baby-care
TOGETHER themselves* it can have many
by using a negative effects on parents.
teaching doll This style of “showing” parents
how to do things can often result
to demonstrate different ways of in long-term challenges in
adapting massage and touch to parent-baby interactions,
suit your own little person. development
and safety (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).
Plain and Simple!
(*) these studies look at how professionals give information & education to parents, and how this impacts on parents &infant development. This is very different to
having a trusted family member, friend, neighbour or volunteer help care for your baby when you are feeling tired or overwhelmed – which can be very beneficial!
Please see the end of this book for where to get support or help if you need it
Based on the Evidence, Parents Need to Know:
 Unless otherwise advised by a physiotherapist or occupational therapist for a physical condition your baby has; all of the evidence strongly
suggests the safest and most effective form of infant massage is done by parents with their own babies.
 The safest and most effective way of learning massage is from someone who uses a doll to show you different techniques, rather than from
someone who likes to demonstrate directly on your baby.
6

7. What Every Parent Should Know:
Personal Feedback is Important
Some baby massage programs and information sources only give you limited (or no) interaction with an
Instructor. Others focus on getting the strokes “right”. Compared to these sorts programs, there are many
studies showing that getting one-on-one support and feedback about how your baby uses cues and body
language in response to your touch, is the key to getting good results from baby massage programs.
Best results are seen when parents are helped by
individualised feedback to a baby massage instructor who is
parents about their own baby’s
cues and signals, helps improve
TRAINED IN PARENT-INFANT OBSERVATION
& who supports parents adjust massage and touch
MENTAL HEALTH &
to the individual personality and needs
COGNITIVE SKILLS of their own baby (2)
for preterm babies (1, 2)
In reviews of 100+ studies of parent-
baby programs, supporting parents to
understand their baby’s signals is a
KEY REQUIREMENT
for positive infant development
outcomes (3, 4)
Based on the Evidence, Parents Need to Know:
 Be a bit cautious of baby massage information that simply tells you to “stop massage if your baby doesn’t like it”. This is
not cue-based or evidence-based baby massage because it does not give you direct support you to see how your
own, individual baby uses lots of subtle ways to communicate when he or she has had enough.
 Individualised support, is best given by a qualified Baby Massage Instructor who has been trained in observing and
understanding infant cues and in how to adapt touch in response to these cues.
7

8. What Every Parent Should Know:
Timing is Ever ything
You might already know that baby massage courses can run for anywhere between one and ten
sessions. And there are dozens of videos claiming to show you how to do baby massage in anything from
a few minutes through to an hour. But the research tells us a lot about how many sessions you need to
give you the best results.
A study looking at baby massage programs which were
the most safe & effective
f o u n d
5 sessions
was the minimum number needed
for parents to get the best results.
This finding is also supported numerous studies which consistently show
that five seems to be the minimum number of sessions needed for most
parents & babies to benefit from parent-baby programs. Four or fewer
sessions can, in fact, leave families open to more risks or problems (1, 2).
Based on the Evidence, Parents Need to Know:
 An evidence-supported baby massage program will run for at least five face-to-face sessions.
 Avoid programs that run for four or fewer sessions, as there is some evidence they may leave you open to
problems or risks.
8

9. What Every Parent Should Know:
Six is the Magic Number
Most of the available research about infant massage education looks at learning infant massage in a
group with other parents (rather than by yourself). One major study found there is an ideal group size for
baby massage classes. This is one which is small enough to allow you to have lots of individualised
support from the instructor, but big enough for you to meet and talk with some other new parents.
The s ame study from the War wick University School of Medicine,
comparing eight different baby massage programs, also found :
Baby massage
6
programs with up to
six families attending Eight appeared to be the These “magic numbers”
appeared to offer the maximum number of families continue to be consistent
in a baby massage group that
best quality with research findings about
had good quality outcomes.
8
outcomes for
many different sorts of
families. This was
particularly true when parent-baby programs (1, 2).
parents were dealing
with extra struggles –
9
such as having a Once group numbers got
baby who cried a lot, to nine or more, the
or when the parent benefits experienced by
was feeling parents and babies began
depressed. to decrease.
Based on the Evidence, Parents Need to Know:
Look for a baby massage program which officially limits the maximum number of families
attending to between 6 and 8 .
9

10. What Every Parent Should Know:
H o w Yo u & Yo u r B a b y Fe e l M a t t e r s M o s t
As we have seen so far, research studies can (and do) tell us a lot about what makes for “good quality”
baby massage education and information for most families, in most situations. These are good sign-posts
to look for. However, the best indicator of quality is how you feel about your experience of being taught
baby massage, and how your own baby responds.
 Does the Instructor leave you feeling better about
yourself as a parent, and with a greater sense of
confidence in your own abilities?
Does your baby seem to enjoy the techniques your
are being shown? If not, does the instructor work with
you individually to find ways of adapting or changing
things until you find a way that suits your baby?
 Do you feel welcome, respected, valued and
listened to by the instructor?
Based on Your Own Evidence, Parents Need to Know:
Answering “yes” to these questions is an important personal indicator of quality.
If you answer “no” to these questions, this may be your instincts (or your baby!) telling you
this is not the right sort of infant massage program for you – and you might be need to look
elsewhere.
10

11. What Every Parent Should Know:
Let Common Sense Prevail
Infant massage education is a form of health care education. And just like any other health or parenting
service you use, you should look for all the typical indicators of quality.
Look for
a baby massage instructor who is
currently registered
with a specialist Association of Infant Massage.
Check that the organisation they are registered with has:
A clear Code of Conduct which its Baby Massage Instructors follow (see an example)
Requirements that their baby massage instructors have high-quality training in infant
massage (even if they are already a health professional with other qualifications).
Requirements that all of its educators keep up to date and participate in Ongoing
Professional Development
An understandable Complaints Process (see an example).
Accreditation and Recognition from, and real partnerships with, other well-known
professional health care and parent-support organisations
Parents Need to Know:
 Look for a baby massage instructor who is currently registered with an organisation that has all the “common
sense” characteristics of a good health care organisation.
11

12. What Every Parent Should Know:
Finally, It Helps to Get Help
Find an IAIM Australia maintains a directory of currently certified infant massage educators who deliver
infant infant massage education programs that meet the Association’s high quality standards.
massage
program The Australian Directory of Current Certified Infant Massage Instructors.
?
If you are worried or uncertain about some infant massage information or advice you have
Double- been given, seen, read or watched, the International Association of Infant Massage Australia
check may be able to advise you what you can do about your concerns. Please contact us on
support@iaim.org.au or on (02) 6262 4346
If you are feeling overwhelmed, exhausted or alone, you can get help:
MamaBake Groups meet regularly and provide practical support: “mother-to-mother.”
Your local Community Centre, Volunteer Centre or Child Health Nurse may know of a local
program where you can get a bit of extra help around the home.
Don’t do
If your baby was born prematurely or was hospitalised, The Miracle Babies Foundation will
it alone provide invaluable support, information, resources and support.
Contact Playgroup Australia to see if any playgroups operate in your area.
Don’t forget to check with PANDA for local groups in your area supporting parents who are
feeling anxious, depressed or just generally a bit low.
Listen to Feeling low, depressed or disconnected from your baby does not make you a “bad” parent –
how you it just means you might need a bit of extra help at this point in time. Don’t ignore the
feel...you
signs...get in touch with one of the many organisations who can help. PANDA and
beyondblue have extensive directories of local services and resources to help you, your
& your baby and your family though depression or other low feelings, and to get out the other side.
baby are If you feel worried that you might hurt yourself or your baby, or if you just need to talk
worth it to someone, call Lifeline on 13 11 14
12

13. About IAIM Australia
Our goal at IAIM Australia is very simple: we want to give really good quality support
to parents so they can be confident in using nurturing touch and communication with
their babies.
We believe that when you are supported to use massage, touch, your voice ,
movement and many other forms of communication in a way that suits you & your
baby, the more empowered you will be as a parent to find your own way to give your
baby a loving, healthy and secure start in life.
We support parents by providing high-quality baby massage programs like The First
Touch Program. We also train health workers, teachers and parents how to deliver
this evidence-based program to families in their communities, neighbourhoods and
workplaces. All our work is underpinned by a core set of values that puts parents and
babies at the centre of everything we do.
If you have found this booklet helpful, please do consider...
 Passing it along or putting it on your website so that others may benefit
Making a tax-deductible donation to IAIM Australia so that we can continue our
life-changing work with families.
Becoming a supporter of IAIM Australia and receiving regular updates, news and
discounts.
IAIM Australia is a registered Children’s Charity,
Official Partner to the World Health Organisation Maternal, Newborn & Child Health Program and
Full Member of the Mental Health Council of Australia
Our vision is that, one day,
all children and parents will experience the lifelong benefits
that come from having early relationships
that are loving, healthy and secure.
www.iaim.org.au