Baby Massage instructors course

[yarmouth23]

Hi

Im looking into widening what I do as an holistic therapist. Have been looking into baby massage instructor after my sister in law (a new mum) told me how much she enjoyed it. Im trying to research in the Portsmouth/Hampshire area as to whether it is widely available or if there is a need for it. Having done quite a few courses over the years I only really want to do this if it is going to be viable. Does anyone know which organisations are best to approach - do NHS do it or is it too complementary?

Also having looked at courses around the country there is a good difference in days and prices!! I think a VTCT course is probably a good option - Helen McGuinness school does it but have been a bit disappointed with courses there before - but there is also places in London that do the course for 5 days and is nearly £600.

If anyone can give me any thoughts or advice it would be most appreciative!

[Patchouli]

Make sure that there are no health visitors in your area who are doing it.

They, due to the nature of their work, get first dibs on potential clients.

I spent a lot of money doing the IAIM course and for 6 month had a good going group of classes going only for the HV to go and do the exact same course.

So....no more mums and babies for me any more and a totally useless certificate to boot. Still I guess for the ones I did do I probably made my money back.

The same happened to Daisychain (who hasn't posted recently) exactly the same.

Beware the Health Visitor!!!!

Patchouli

[blackcat]

I did my Infant Massage course with Touch Learn and can thoroughly recommend them.

However, I found that after months of trying very hard to get regular courses going, it just wasn't really happening & so, sadly, I have given it up. I think that people aren't really prepared to pay, even though they say they want to do such things with their babies. And I live in quite an affluent area. (I was charging £40 for a 4 week course). A number of people have told me that instructors in London are inundated with mums but I don't know if that's true?

I now just do taster sessions for my health visitor who runs a post-natal group. The mums seem content with that (as it's free I guess) and it's only occasionally that I get them asking me about a full course.

So ... do your research VERY well and see if the demand is there before spending money on a course.

[yarmouth23]

Thanks Patchouli and Blackcat for your replies. I think I will keep going on the local research then. Sounds as if its not really worth the outlay from what you're saying. I might ask a few new mums I know in the area.