Hello and Welcome to my World!

It became clear to me, though, that new parents needed slightly different information about massaging their newborn babies, and babies in the neonatal intensive care unit responded more positively if I went about giving them massage in a modified way. For the tired, overwhelmed and sleep-deprived parents, the information had to be short, simple, and effective, and I had to reach them before or shortly after leaving the hospital. For the babies, I had to take into consideration their need to heal, grow and develop, settle into the outside world, and that some newborns are not medically stable, some are born prematurely, and some newborns have experienced exposure to drugs that can affect their nervous systems and make them more vulnerable to almost any stimulation.

After studying the research and taking additional training in massage with handicapped infants, in 1989, I began developing a program so simple, so protective, so solid and effective that a new parent could learn about crying and time out signals, how to comfort their baby, listening skills, and a set of massage strokes based on research that promotes digestion, elimination (yes, gas, too), weight gain, deeper sleep, improved immune system functioning, and bonding. Besides all that, the babies enjoy it and it is fun for the family. This program is the "Baby's First Massage Program." Over 3000 instructors have been trained the program is in many hospitals, private practices, high schools and communities all over the U.S.A. and in some military hospitals overseas.

You already understand the importance of a new mother and father bonding with their baby. Much research is being done on "attachment disorders." When a mother or father is un attached, or insecurely attached, one of the most common situations to occur is neglect. A child that grows up in an environment that is emotionally impoverished is denied the ready opportunity to develop the ability to love, to trust, and to comfortably reach out and interact in the world. Neglect sets the stage for abuse. The abuse cycle is perpetuated through the children as they grow up and make unsuccessful choices to get their needs met.

There are many situations that can interfere with the attachment process. Being born in a traumatic way, or being genetically wired to be "highly sensitive," or having digestive difficulties, or congenital anomalies, or being born prematurely and spending time in the NICU...a long list could be developed of situations that occur with the baby, and situations that occur with the mother.

Learning to massage the baby is a very powerful way to get acquainted and bond with the baby. Learning to relieve discomforts in the baby leads to a sense of empowerment as a new parent. Learning how to listen and observe baby, to experience joy with the new little person helps strengthen family bonds. Loving, gentle, systematic touch given sensitively can help a new parent move through the early hours and days of settling in to their new role.

If you are a new parent, about to become one, or interact with new families, I invite you to join me in learning how to give this simple, loving gift of massage to your babies, or to learn to teach it to families everywhere. I would love to communicate with you through e-mail at Teresa@BabysFirstMassage.com if you wish, or go to the sections on Products or Instructor Training to get started.

There are three choices for how you can learn to be a certified newborn massage instructor. You can attend an on site workshop, or take the Independent Study at home, or participate in a Certification Session.

The on site workshop schedule is listed on the Workshop Schedule page. It is a 9 hour program usually taught in one day. All the materials required for certification are included in your training. You receive at least 9.8 continuing education hours at the end of the workshop and have the option to become certified by completing a post test, making a teaching outline and using that to teach three practice classes. Those materials are sent to me for review and the issuing of your certification. At the time of submitting the completed materials, a $15 administrative fee would be included. With this process, it is the equivalent of completing the Independent Study, and the 9 + contact hours will be traded up for 21-22 contact hours (depending on professional backround).

The Independent Study is designed for you to take it at home at your own speed of learning. The kit is complete with everything needed to become certified. It contains an instructors manual, two training DVDs, a copy of Loving Your Newborn: Intuitive Touch DVD, three copies of the booklet, Baby's First Massage: Gentle Touch for Your Newborn, and one copy of the newest edition, The Little Book of Baby's First Massage. You have up to one year to complete this course.

The Certification Sessions involve purchasing the Independent Study but having the advantage of a special 5.0 hour class with a Certification Coach to give you the opportunity to experience how much pressure to use, practicing with the Coach on dolls, seeing a live demonstration, and reviewing the post test. There is an additional fee for these Sessions. This option is only available in certain areas. Go to Certification Sessions to find out if there is a Coach near you.

If you have any questions after reading over the various pages, feel at ease to send inquiries to us at: Teresa@babysfirstmassage.com

Thanks for visiting me today!

Teresa Kirkpatrick Ramsey, BSN, LMT