I thought I would share with you a little more about myself; my interests, my background and my qualifications.

Firstly, I am a mother of two boys, born November 1999 and September 2007, a certified infant massage instructor (C.I.M.I) through the only not-for-profit international infant massage organisation within Australia, (I.A.I.M); a professional member of the organisation, fully insured and hold a working with children check (WWCC). I am internationally qualified to teach the Massage In Schools Program to children aged 4 years to 12 years (peer massage. Refer to Massage In Schools for further information).

Workshops & Conferences attended:
• Aromatherapy and regenerative skin care
• Baby and Child First Aid
• Snr First Aider (Royal Life Saving Society Australia)
• Edith Cowan Uni. & Playgroup WA Inc. "Early Years Workshops: Emotional Development & Brain Development"
• Ngala's Professional Education seminar "Understanding and Managing Children's Sleep"
• Playgroup WA Inc. AGM 2009 & invited guest speaker Dr. Trevor Parry.
Dr Parry is a developmental paediatrician and Associate Clinical Professor, School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia. He is involved in medical education as well as public education with particular reference to parenting, child development and the importance of the early years.
• I.A.I.M. International Assoc Infant Massage - Baby Massage conference, Sydney, June 2009 and attended the AGM
• Cherry Bond's "The Preterm Infant: NICU experience & Beyond" workshop, Sydney, June 2009. Cherry is a London based CIMI, positive touch specialist and neonatal nurse with over 20 years experience. Cherry's website is www.cherrybond.com
• College of Lactation Consultants W.A. 2010 Conference - Breastfeeding and Sleep: from confusion to clarity, 14th & 15th May, University of West Australia.
• Department for Communities - Parenting Matters Seminar Series: Engaging Families in Early Childhood, facilitated by Dr Pam Winter, South Australian Early Childhood Educator. This seminar explores how parenting services can best engage families during the early years.

Qualifications and positions held:
• West Australian State Rep. (I.A.I.M.)
• Cert IV Food Technology
• Associate Diploma of Science
• Cert Aromatherapy
• Cert. Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI)
• Massage in Schools Instructor (MISI)
• Occ. Health & Safety representative
• Working with Children Check (WWCC) No. 290574
• Indian Head Massage (Four Essence Yoga & Massage Training)
• Corporate Massage (seated chair massage) Kahuna Bodyworks


Currently studying:
• Child Psychology module
(Dip. Counselling & Psychology) - An internationally endorsed qualification, recognised formally by the Australian Counselling Association.

Membership:
• Massage in Schools Australia Inc. No. 0139
• Member of I.A.I.M. (International Assoc. of Infant Massage)

Subscriptions:
• Pathways to Family Wellness magazine, published by The International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (I.C.P.A)
• Zero to Three Journal (U.S) National Centre for Infants, Toddlers and Families, published by the Zero to Three organisation, a national (U.S) nonprofit organization that informs, trains and supports professionals, policymakers and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers. 
• Newsletter subscriptions: INPP - The Institute for Neuro-Physiological Psychology

My background is predominantly in science, having held various positions in the environmental, pharmaceutical and food industries. I have also worked in research and development for a number of years.

Why did I choose to specialise in infant and children's health and development?
I have always had a keen interest in and have used complimentary therapies since I can remember, in particular massage, natural therapies and aromatherapy. Since I was pregnant with my first son in 1999, I have been receiving an aromatherapy massage on a regular basis. I have found that massage helped me to relax throughout my two pregnancies, to relieve any stress and tension (particularly in the lower back area due to the weight of being pregnant) and also being beneficial in maintaining my general health and wellbeing. I featured in the West Australian Newspaper in October 2000 in an article discussing massage and the use of essential oils during pregnancy and birth. (ref: The West Australian U! Section, Wednesday October 11th 2000, page 3. “Scents of relaxation” article by Tamara Hunter).

I was blessed to have two wonderful natural labours, both relatively short (Ethan was 7 hours in 1999, Darcy was just over 4 hours in 2007). I did not use any drugs for pain relief; instead I had an 'active' birth for both, using water, aromatherapy (essential oils in the vapouriser and in the bath), music and various yoga positions. Throughout both pregnancies I drank 'raspberry leaf' tea, dabbled in pregnancy yoga, walked to maintain my fitness and read alot of books about the birthing process (refer to the Idibidi Kids BLOG for a list of these titles from the Idibidi Kids Bookshelf). I truly believe that being 'in labour' with your unborn child is about the power of your mind (mental/emotional) as well as the physical aspect. I remember with my first birth, I had my eyes closed for the most part; this was my way of remaining centred, calm and focussed and in tune with my body and my baby. I have always been an avid researcher; keen to expand my knowledge and understanding of infant and children's health and development, in particular the physiology and psychology relating to children, including the relevance of touch for babies and children. This is an ongoing process.

Following my dream...
Studying to become an infant massage instructor felt like a natural progression; having two children and massaging both of them since they were born is what really inspired me and intrigued me on how and why nurturing touch through massage has so many benefits for both parent and baby! I had done a lot of research (there's the "research/science" background coming out in me!) into the benefits of massaging babies and children and was amazed to find out that there are so many benefits (like I say, infant massage is so much more than relaxation for your baby!). I have always dreamt of running my own business; I guess the flexibility and freedom, together with the challenges of having to make my own decisions (I'm the boss!) really appealed to me. I knew it was not going to be easy, especially with two young children to raise as well, but I am passionate about infant massage and the importance of positive, nurturing touch for babies and knowing that I can share this with parents and carers and to be able to help them; it is a wonderful feeling. My two boys continue to receive massage on a regular basis; having given birth to my second son in September 2007, massaging him since he was born has confirmed to me how much babies really do love to be massaged, nurtured and shown healthy touch!

baby Darcy, September 2007

My experience with COLIC.... from a mother's perspective:
As much as I experienced a wonderful birth with my first son, it soon turned into a bit of a nightmare. Ethan was showing signs of 'colic' from around 6 weeks of age. I know for a fact there are a lot of parents who have experienced a colicky baby - my heart goes out to you all! Colic - I call this the 'dreaded C word'! There are a lot of products (and services) aimed at relieving and assisting babies who suffer from colic, BUT... did you know.... doctors, medical professionals and researchers do not exactly know what causes colic?
Signs and Symptoms of Colic:
Your baby cries around the same time each day...
Crying that may last for hours at any one time...
Seems inconsolable...
Irritable...
Uncomfortable...
Draws his/her legs up towards the abdomen...

A definition of colic:
Painful, abdominal wind or intestinal spasms (that your baby may take months to recover from... for me it felt like forever! The doctor told us that babies usually get through the worst of it by around 3 months of age but obviously each child is unique and different. 3 months!!! I remember thinking at the time, that feels like forever!).

The colic massage routine ...
At the time Ethan was experiencing colic, I remember we had tried every colic relief medicine/herbal medication in the local pharmacy! We also drove around the neighbourhood often at night as this seemed to be the only way he would sleep! Crazy! Trying to keep your sanity whilst your baby is crying out in pain is hard work, not to mention you feel so helpless as a parent. I wish, at the time, somebody told me that a particular massage sequence, or massage routine, known as the colic massage sequence, could provide my baby with a natural form of pain relief, AND that this would help overcome the feeling of helplessness I was experiencing as it was something I was capable of doing! This simple, but effective routine only takes a few minutes and will help relieve the trapped wind and assist in calming your baby. You will also feel empowered, being able to help your baby. You learn the colic massage sequence in the Idibidi Kids 4 session course

Colic relief is at your fingertips...
Learn an effective parenting tool that will help relieve your baby's colic and wind in the comfort of your home TODAY in 1 hour! Click here for more details.

...and finally...
What does my eldest son say about massage?
My first ever testimonial was from my eldest son, Ethan. When I asked him what he liked about being massaged, he replied:
“I like the weather story on my back. It relaxes me and it feels nice. Massage also helps me sleep better”.
I have found that as he grows older, massage is much more than helping him to relax; it’s also a time when he is most likely to feel comfortable to talk to me about any fears or anxieties he may have, especially now that he is at school.

On that note, I look forward to introducing you to the wonderful world of infant massage; and to nurture and support you and your baby's health and wellbeing!