Infant Massage Parent Training
Certified Infant Massage Instruction at Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies
Gentle, nurturing touch is one of the earliest and most powerful ways to connect with your baby. Infant massage helps support bonding, regulation, sleep, and communication, while giving parents practical tools they can use confidently at home.
Hummingbird Pediatric Therapies offers Certified Infant Massage Instruction (CIMI) at our Woodridge Center, led by CIMI certified Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists.
This service is designed as a three-part parent training program, so you can confidently use infant massage techniques at home as part of your daily routines to support bonding, regulation, and your baby’s development.
What Is Certified Infant Massage Instruction (CIMI)?
Our instructors are trained through the Loving Touch Method, a specific methodology of infant and pediatric massage. CIMI is caregiver-led, meaning:
Parents or primary caregivers learn the skills and perform the massage
The instructor guides and models the technique while coaching you throughout each session
The focus is on safe, effective touch that supports connection, communication, and infant regulation
Infant massage is more than relaxation. It’s a developmental and relational tool families can use in everyday life!
Explore Related Therapies
Speak With a Therapist
How does the training work?
The Infant Massage program functions as a 3-part parent training program, with each appointment being 30 minutes to 60 minutes in duration.
During your training sessions, you can expect to:
Learn step-by-step infant massage techniques you can repeat at home
Understand infant cues, for instance, when the baby is ready, when to pause, and how to adapt
Build confidence in soothing, bonding, and supporting regulation
Learn how to weave massage into routines like sleep, feeding, bath time, and transitions
Get individualized guidance based on your baby’s needs and your goals as a family
You will perform the massage while our therapist coaches and supports you, to make sure you feel confident and comfortable to continue at home.
Benefits of Infant Massage for Babies and Caregivers
Babies
Regular, nurturing touch can support:
- Physiological regulation (calming the nervous system and reducing stress)
- Healthier sleep/wake patterns
- Improved digestion, helping to relieve constipation and reduce symptoms of colic
- Growing body awareness and spatial awareness
- Sensory and motor development during this period of early brain development
- Bonding and attachment, supporting emotional security and connection
Parents and Caregivers
Learning infant massage through a CIMI can help caregivers feel:
- More confident in handling, soothing, and understanding their baby
- More connected through meaningful daily bonding routines
- Less stressed and more empowered at home
- Better able to “read” their baby’s communication cues through touch
Which babies benefit most from an infant massage routine?
Infant massage can benefit most little ones, but may be especially supportive for babies who are experiencing:
- Difficulty with regulation (fussiness, challenges calming, overstimulation)
- Sleep concerns
- Feeding difficulties
- Sensory processing differences
- Tone or postural challenges
- A history of prematurity (medically stable, with team approval)
- Medical complexity (with provider approval)
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is appropriate for infant massage to be used on?
Infant massage is most commonly taught for babies from birth through 12 months, when touch has the greatest impact on regulation, attachment, and sensory integration. Techniques can also be adapted for toddlers and young children up to age 5 with a more playful, child-led approach.
How long is each infant massage training session?
Each session is 30 to 60 minutes, and the program includes three sessions.
Do I need my baby to be calm for the session?
Not at all! We follow your baby’s cues and can pause, adjust, or modify as needed. The training is designed to be flexible and supportive.
Does the therapist perform the massage on my baby?
No, the therapist will model the massage next to you on a baby doll while you practice with your child directly.
Get Started
At Hummingbird, our infant massage instructors are CIMI certified Occupational Therapists and Speech-Language Pathologists, which means you’ll receive guidance rooted in child development, sensory regulation, feeding foundations, and family-centered care.
Our goal is to help you leave the program feeling confident, supported, and equipped with practical techniques you can use right away at home! Ready to learn infant massage techniques you can use at home?