About Us
Mission
“The Purpose of the International Association of Infant Massage is to promote nurturing touch and communication through training, education, and research so that parents, caregivers and children are loved, valued and respected throughout the world community”.
History
The International Association of Infant Massage – was founded by Vimala McClure – was the first worldwide non-profit organization to promote the benefits of nurturing touch for bonding and attachment. The book she wrote “Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents” was first published in 1979. The organization captured the world and became international in 1992. The IAIM is present today over 60 countries through affiliated chapters.
Incorporating research on touch, practical experience and constant evaluation, the IAIM program is refined and updated through the International Circle of Trainers and the International Education Committees, both responsible for the professional standards of IAIM Trainers and instructors.
Vimala’s knowledge and experience about infant massage is unique. The set of infant massage techniques she created was based on Indian massage, Swedish massage, yoga and reflexology. The simple and beautiful massage routine is taught by a Certified Infant Massage Instructor CIMI to parents.
1976
Vimala had her first child with whom she started a massage routine. She then taught other parents the art of infant massage out of her home and developed her career as an infant massage trainer
1977
While having her second child, Vimala continued to give talks and conferences, sharing her infant massage experience in many countries.
1978
At the request of childbirth educators, Vimala developed the infant massage routine based on what she learnt in India, incorporating Swedish and reflexology and yoga (with adaptation for babies). She named the strokes and included a special section for colicky babies. An Infant Massage course was then developed for parents which later became the core curriculum for IAIM.
1979
“Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents” written by Vimala, was first published.
Vimala McClure wrote the first version of “The Manual for Infant Massage Instructors”.
1981
The International Association of Infant Massage Instructors was born when Audrey Downes ( a registered nurse from the USA) sponsored an instructor training in California in 1981. Audrey spent the next few years building an international framework. The first group of IAIM Trainers was trained up and the IAIM Circle of Trainers was established.
1986
IAIM Board of Directors was formed and IAIM formally became a non-profit organization, incorporated in California, the USA.
1992
The International Office was moved from USA to Sweden. IAIM continued to prosper and became an international organization with presence in major countries.
Up to the year of 2018
The IAIM is constantly expanding. At present, over ten thousand infant massage instructors trained worldwide. 61 qualified IAIM international trainers are conducting IAIM instructors training program in 73 countries worldwide.