About Untying the Infant Body

Course Description

This course is an introduction to infant massage which focuses on anatomy and hands on techniques for nervous system regulation, muscular assessment and treatment. Special emphasis will be placed on developing clinical observation and reasoning skills for working with infants, babies and caregivers; building a network of providers to refer to; introducing body-mind practices for self care; educating the care giver.

​

Frenulectomy Providers will be able to knowledgeably discuss the importance of bodywork before and after and discuss the importance of nervous system state.  They will be able to analyze bodyworker skills and education in order to effectively screen and interview eligible program candidates.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of Untying the Infant Body, students will be able to

• discuss the differences of infant vs adult muscle tension

• discuss how massage can assist in feeding

• discuss how muscle tension can inhibit feeding

• identify, utilize and discuss the 3 polyvagal defense hierarchy states

• recognize the 3 polyvagal defense hierarchy states in infants and babies

• discuss the vagal break

• describe how to stimulate the vagus nerve

• discuss and demonstrate the 5 ways to calm infants and babies

• describe the different fascia layers

• describe and teach the hands on techniques for infants and babies

• deliver assessment of muscular trouble spots, plan and execute a treatment plan

• describe and discuss body reading infants and babies

• describe and educate parents on in home activities to work on with their child

• clarify, assess and address scope of practice

• analyze and discuss with caregiver when a referral is necessary

• discuss and describe the importance of building a network of experienced referral providers

• discuss and analyze container culture

• discuss and describe containers that may cause muscle tension

• discuss the significance of swaddling and muscle tension

• discuss and describe benefits of Movement Moments Infant Massage

• describe and teach hands on massage techniques to caregivers

• describe and discuss how muscle tension associates with head turning preference

• discuss the importance of tummy time

• discuss and teach tummy time techniques

• demonstrate practices that support self care

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of Untying the Infant Body, Therapy students will be able to implement Movement Moments Infant Massage manual therapy and teaching techniques and integrate evaluation measures into their practice. This includes recognizing the 3 polyvagal states, calming the baby, teaching the caregiver at home activities and referring to appropriate practitioners. 

Non-hands on providers will able to implement Movement Moments Infant Massage TEACHING techniques. This includes evaluation methods, recognizing the 3 polyvagal states and be able to effectively teach caregivers massage, movement, and calming the baby techniques as well as advise in-home activities and refer to appropriate practitioners.

​

Additional Information

Providers who do not hold a license to touch are welcome to attend this course. To attend, ALL attendees will be required to sign a form that states that the information in this class is for use within their designated scope of practice only.

Example: Non-therapy providers, UIB class information is for instruction purposes only (to teach to clients) and provider will not engage in any hands on bodywork/ techniques or distribute information that is outside their scope of practice.