Infant Massage is an “age old” tradition, dating back to the beginning of time. In many areas of the world, stroking of infants was a common practice. Cross-cultural studies have found that babies that were massaged, carried, held, rocked, and breastfed, were less aggressive and violent as adults, and showed more compassion and cooperation.
Vimala McClure introduced infant massage in the United States in the early 1970’s, after traveling in India and working in an orphanage there, where she learned infant massage. She watched a 12-year-old girl massage all the babies in the orphanage. Even with the lack of proper nutrition, the children thrived, which she attributed to the massage they received.
After returning to the United States, and giving birth, she began massaging her own babies, researched the effects of touch on newborns and noted her personal observations. She developed a very effective massage process that is described in her book, Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents. She combined her experience with Indian massage strokes, Swedish massage and principles of reflexology and yoga.
Word of mouth and publicity helped spread the word about her work. Soon, Audrey Downes, a nurse in California, heard about infant massage and wanted further training. Audrey Downes became the organizational guide for the association for many years. Over time Vimala trained several more trainers, and these first nine “founding mothers” met together in 1985 to form a non-profit organization called International Association of Infant Massage Instructors.
The program expanded internationally in 1992, becoming the International Association of Infant Massage registered in Sweden. There are currently over 30 Chapters, with Trainers and Instructors in over 70 countries throughout the world. Infant Massage USA is the US Chapter of the International Association of Infant Massage which is registered as a non-profit in Sweden.
Read Vimala’s Blogs at: Infants, Babies, The Power of Touch.
