Nurture By Massage &
Heavenly Hands Doula Service
Providing professionally taught baby massage classes & postpartum doula services
Frequently Asked Questions - Nurture By Massage
Who is the best candidate to receive infant massage?
Any typically developing, healthy baby who is three weeks of age or older is considered the best candidate to receive massage. If you are not sure whether your child requires special care, please contact us prior to booking a course.
Can I still massage my child once they pass the infant stage?
Absolutely, massage will continue to benefit them for the rest of their life. It is recommended to begin massaging children while they are in the infant stage so that they will get used to the cues and techniques involved and will be more likely to remain stationary for a massage once they have begun to crawl and walk.
Who can provide the massage to the baby?
The primary caregivers are the most beneficial person to provide the massage. A caregiver is considered to be someone who is closely connected to the baby and is someone who is a constant source of nurturing, care and comfort in the baby's life. A caregiver can include a parent, grandparent, step-parent, aunt or uncle. A mature and responsible sibling can also perform the massage as long as they are continuously supervised by an adult; in fact, having a sibling perform the massage may actually be a helpful way to overcome rivalry and provide a way to promote bonding between family members.
What if I need to change a diaper or feed my baby during a class?
Since we strive to work with every baby's needs, feel free to stop the massage and feed your baby (any methods of feeding are welcome at all times) or change diapers whenever the need arises. Babies function on their own schedules and can be unpredictable, so if you are finding that your baby is not in the best state to receive massage during a scheduled class, we invite you to watch and listen to what is being taught so that you can practice at another time when your baby is ready and willing to receive massage.
Can I attend infant massage classes if I am expecting a baby?
Yes, you can certainly attend classes if you are awaiting the birth of your baby although it is required that you attend at least one of the classes with the baby after their birth so that you can practice the techniques with your baby and ensure that you are performing them effectively.
I have a friend or family member who is expecting, can I purchase infant massage lessons as a gift for them?
Certainly! Nurture By Massage gift certificates are perfect for baby showers, birthdays, holidays and much more! Gift certificates are available year round for purchase in any denomination, please contact us for more information.
What's the difference between a Certified Infant Massage Teacher (CIMT) and a Massage Therapist (RMT)?
An RMT is not specifically trained to teach infant massage. During my extensive training to become a massage therapist, I never learned specific techniques to accommodate babies or special routines for common infant discomforts nor did I learn how to recognize a baby's cues for readiness for massage or how to teach them to caregivers.
In order to become a Certified Infant Massage Teacher (CIMT), I went through a rigorous training by one of the most revered infant massage teachers in the world, Tina Allen. I learned techniques that are specific to newborns, infants and toddlers as well as how to assess the child's cues in order to ensure that they are in the optimal state to consent to massage and receive massage. I was taught specific massage techniques for different parts of the delicate infant structure as well as routines designed to help alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms of colic, constipation and teething for babies. In addition, I learned how to teach these techniques to caregivers so that they could perform them confidently and effectively.
With a typically developing healthy baby, the caregiver is the most beneficial person to provide the massage to the baby as it facilitates bonding between the two of them; this is why the Certified Infant Massage Teacher does not perform massage directly on your baby, and instead, demonstrates all techniques on a doll. Both the baby and caregiver will get the utmost benefit from massage if it is performed between the two of them rather than someone who does not have that important connection with the baby.
Any typically developing, healthy baby who is three weeks of age or older is considered the best candidate to receive massage. If you are not sure whether your child requires special care, please contact us prior to booking a course.
Can I still massage my child once they pass the infant stage?
Absolutely, massage will continue to benefit them for the rest of their life. It is recommended to begin massaging children while they are in the infant stage so that they will get used to the cues and techniques involved and will be more likely to remain stationary for a massage once they have begun to crawl and walk.
Who can provide the massage to the baby?
The primary caregivers are the most beneficial person to provide the massage. A caregiver is considered to be someone who is closely connected to the baby and is someone who is a constant source of nurturing, care and comfort in the baby's life. A caregiver can include a parent, grandparent, step-parent, aunt or uncle. A mature and responsible sibling can also perform the massage as long as they are continuously supervised by an adult; in fact, having a sibling perform the massage may actually be a helpful way to overcome rivalry and provide a way to promote bonding between family members.
What if I need to change a diaper or feed my baby during a class?
Since we strive to work with every baby's needs, feel free to stop the massage and feed your baby (any methods of feeding are welcome at all times) or change diapers whenever the need arises. Babies function on their own schedules and can be unpredictable, so if you are finding that your baby is not in the best state to receive massage during a scheduled class, we invite you to watch and listen to what is being taught so that you can practice at another time when your baby is ready and willing to receive massage.
Can I attend infant massage classes if I am expecting a baby?
Yes, you can certainly attend classes if you are awaiting the birth of your baby although it is required that you attend at least one of the classes with the baby after their birth so that you can practice the techniques with your baby and ensure that you are performing them effectively.
I have a friend or family member who is expecting, can I purchase infant massage lessons as a gift for them?
Certainly! Nurture By Massage gift certificates are perfect for baby showers, birthdays, holidays and much more! Gift certificates are available year round for purchase in any denomination, please contact us for more information.
What's the difference between a Certified Infant Massage Teacher (CIMT) and a Massage Therapist (RMT)?
An RMT is not specifically trained to teach infant massage. During my extensive training to become a massage therapist, I never learned specific techniques to accommodate babies or special routines for common infant discomforts nor did I learn how to recognize a baby's cues for readiness for massage or how to teach them to caregivers.
In order to become a Certified Infant Massage Teacher (CIMT), I went through a rigorous training by one of the most revered infant massage teachers in the world, Tina Allen. I learned techniques that are specific to newborns, infants and toddlers as well as how to assess the child's cues in order to ensure that they are in the optimal state to consent to massage and receive massage. I was taught specific massage techniques for different parts of the delicate infant structure as well as routines designed to help alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms of colic, constipation and teething for babies. In addition, I learned how to teach these techniques to caregivers so that they could perform them confidently and effectively.
With a typically developing healthy baby, the caregiver is the most beneficial person to provide the massage to the baby as it facilitates bonding between the two of them; this is why the Certified Infant Massage Teacher does not perform massage directly on your baby, and instead, demonstrates all techniques on a doll. Both the baby and caregiver will get the utmost benefit from massage if it is performed between the two of them rather than someone who does not have that important connection with the baby.
What is the difference between the Nurture By Massage infant massage course and other baby massage classes?
The truth is that you get what you pay for. When it comes to other baby massage classes, the average class that you will find is usually one introductory class where you may learn a couple of techniques on one or two areas of the body. That type of class will not teach you the fundamentals that you need in order to provide the most effective and complete massage nor will they teach you how to recognize the proper cues to ensure that baby will be receptive to massage. In addition, most of those classes are not taught by a Certified Infant Massage Teacher nor do they provide any type of contact for you to follow up with should you have questions in the future. I've personally received feedback from caregivers who took other courses and felt that they still were not confident enough to massage their baby, but after taking Nurture By Massage's course, they were confident and massaging their babies on a regular basis.
Nurture By Massage offers a fully comprehensive course which lasts 4 classes and teaches techniques on all relevant areas of the body (head, neck, shoulders, stomach, back, arms, legs, etc) for a complete massage, plus special routines to help alleviate symptoms associated with colic/gas, teething and congestion. Our course will teach you how to determine whether baby is ready and willing to accept the massage as well as the best times to initiate massage. In addition, you will also be provided with a complimentary bottle of fruit-based oil to use during your classes and you will also learn about which oils are best for massage and which oils to avoid. After each class, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have from your Certified Infant Massage Teacher. You will be provided with handouts which highlight everything that has been taught in each class, plus you will have access to your Certified Infant Massage Teacher via phone and email after the course is completed should you have any further questions arise.
The truth is that you get what you pay for. When it comes to other baby massage classes, the average class that you will find is usually one introductory class where you may learn a couple of techniques on one or two areas of the body. That type of class will not teach you the fundamentals that you need in order to provide the most effective and complete massage nor will they teach you how to recognize the proper cues to ensure that baby will be receptive to massage. In addition, most of those classes are not taught by a Certified Infant Massage Teacher nor do they provide any type of contact for you to follow up with should you have questions in the future. I've personally received feedback from caregivers who took other courses and felt that they still were not confident enough to massage their baby, but after taking Nurture By Massage's course, they were confident and massaging their babies on a regular basis.
Nurture By Massage offers a fully comprehensive course which lasts 4 classes and teaches techniques on all relevant areas of the body (head, neck, shoulders, stomach, back, arms, legs, etc) for a complete massage, plus special routines to help alleviate symptoms associated with colic/gas, teething and congestion. Our course will teach you how to determine whether baby is ready and willing to accept the massage as well as the best times to initiate massage. In addition, you will also be provided with a complimentary bottle of fruit-based oil to use during your classes and you will also learn about which oils are best for massage and which oils to avoid. After each class, you will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you may have from your Certified Infant Massage Teacher. You will be provided with handouts which highlight everything that has been taught in each class, plus you will have access to your Certified Infant Massage Teacher via phone and email after the course is completed should you have any further questions arise.
Frequently Asked Questions - Heavenly Hands Doula Service
How do you determine which services would be offered at each visit? Do you provide services beyond the ones already mentioned?
We offer a wide variety of services that can be utilized and tailored to meet your specific needs. Each service is on an as needed basis and can be utilized if applicable to your family's needs. As your doula, we would review your needs and priorities with you at the beginning of every visit in order to determine which services you would benefit most from and then adjust your services based on your particular needs at that time. If there are services that have not been mentioned which you wish to request, please feel free to make a list of them so that we can discuss your needs and expectations in order to determine whether they can be accommodated.
Are doula services covered by OHIP or insurance?
At this time, doula services are not covered under OHIP. Some third party insurance companies provide coverage for doulas (via a Health Spending Account or Personal Spending Account). If you intend to utilize your benefits for doula services, please ensure that you contact your insurance provider to confirm your level of coverage prior to hiring your doula.
Are doula services tax deductible?
In Ontario, a postpartum doula’s fees can be tax deductible, provided the doula is certified by a recognized organization (such as CAPPA Canada). Please ensure that you seek advice from a chartered accountant prior to filing any claims for postpartum doula services.
What is the difference between a postpartum doula, baby nurse and nanny?
A postpartum doula is there to "mother the family", offer education, support and assistance to a new family in the first few months of a newborn's life. Some duties include baby care education, calming and soothing techniques, breastfeeding support, light household assistance, sibling assistance, meal preparation and errand running. Postpartum doulas do NOT perform any medical tasks, nor do they take exclusive care of the newborn.
Baby nurses take exclusive care of the newborn and they are not trained nor expected to care for the parents or other family members nor do they provide any sibling care or household assistance of any kind.
Nannies are usually employees that follow the parents instructions and may or may not begin working with the family when the baby is a newborn. Some do not have any newborn training and may have only worked with infants and toddlers nor do they offer breastfeeding support or baby care education for the parents. Nannies are usually hired to work with a family for an extended period of time, whereas a postpartum doula will work with the family for a shorter period of time that spans anywhere between one day to several months, depending on the needs of the family.
We offer a wide variety of services that can be utilized and tailored to meet your specific needs. Each service is on an as needed basis and can be utilized if applicable to your family's needs. As your doula, we would review your needs and priorities with you at the beginning of every visit in order to determine which services you would benefit most from and then adjust your services based on your particular needs at that time. If there are services that have not been mentioned which you wish to request, please feel free to make a list of them so that we can discuss your needs and expectations in order to determine whether they can be accommodated.
Are doula services covered by OHIP or insurance?
At this time, doula services are not covered under OHIP. Some third party insurance companies provide coverage for doulas (via a Health Spending Account or Personal Spending Account). If you intend to utilize your benefits for doula services, please ensure that you contact your insurance provider to confirm your level of coverage prior to hiring your doula.
Are doula services tax deductible?
In Ontario, a postpartum doula’s fees can be tax deductible, provided the doula is certified by a recognized organization (such as CAPPA Canada). Please ensure that you seek advice from a chartered accountant prior to filing any claims for postpartum doula services.
What is the difference between a postpartum doula, baby nurse and nanny?
A postpartum doula is there to "mother the family", offer education, support and assistance to a new family in the first few months of a newborn's life. Some duties include baby care education, calming and soothing techniques, breastfeeding support, light household assistance, sibling assistance, meal preparation and errand running. Postpartum doulas do NOT perform any medical tasks, nor do they take exclusive care of the newborn.
Baby nurses take exclusive care of the newborn and they are not trained nor expected to care for the parents or other family members nor do they provide any sibling care or household assistance of any kind.
Nannies are usually employees that follow the parents instructions and may or may not begin working with the family when the baby is a newborn. Some do not have any newborn training and may have only worked with infants and toddlers nor do they offer breastfeeding support or baby care education for the parents. Nannies are usually hired to work with a family for an extended period of time, whereas a postpartum doula will work with the family for a shorter period of time that spans anywhere between one day to several months, depending on the needs of the family.