Beyond the Latch: Infant Massage as a Supportive Tool for Feeding, Alignment and Regulation
Beyond the Latch
5 Hours CE/CPD | Online Course with Brianne Taggart RN, IBCLC, CEIM
Feeding challenges in infants are rarely explained by latch alone. Alignment, muscle tone, movement patterns, regulation, and the quality of the parent–infant relationship can all influence feeding comfort and success.
Beyond the Latch explores how infant massage may be used as a gentle, supportive tool alongside feeding education, lactation support, and appropriate clinical care.
Presented by Brianne Taggart RN, IBCLC, CEIM, this course provides practical guidance on infant massage techniques, feeding-related considerations, caregiver education, and safe integration within professional scope of practice.
Course Overview
This course introduces healthcare and wellness professionals to the role that infant massage may play in supporting feeding comfort, alignment, regulation, and parent–infant bonding.
Participants will explore how movement patterns, muscle tone, postural alignment, asymmetry, and nervous system regulation can influence feeding experiences. The course also examines how safe, parent-led touch may support caregiver confidence while complementing existing feeding support strategies.
Through practical instruction and evidence-informed discussion, participants will learn how infant massage can be integrated ethically and appropriately within a family-centred model of care.
Supported by full course recordings, downloadable course materials, supporting resources, companion course learning, lesson quizzes, online exam, certificate of completion, and lifetime access, this course provides a valuable introduction to infant massage within feeding support and developmental care.
What You Will Learn
| Topic | Focus |
|---|---|
| Feeding & Alignment | Understanding how posture, movement, and alignment may influence feeding comfort and readiness to latch |
| Muscle Tone & Regulation | Exploring the relationship between tone, comfort, nervous system regulation, and infant feeding support |
| Infant Massage Techniques | Learning simple, safe, parent-led massage strategies that may support comfort, alignment, and regulation |
| Caregiver Education | Teaching parents practical strategies they can confidently use at home within a family-centred care model |
| Parent–Infant Bonding | Using gentle touch to support connection, confidence, regulation, and positive parent–infant interaction |
| Professional Integration | Applying infant massage safely, ethically, and within professional scope of practice |
Course Content
The course combines feeding support concepts, developmental considerations, infant massage instruction, caregiver education, and practical clinical application.
| Module | Focus |
|---|---|
| Feeding, Alignment & Regulation | Exploring the relationship between feeding challenges, alignment, muscle tone, movement patterns, and nervous system regulation |
| Movement, Asymmetry & Comfort | Recognising factors that may contribute to feeding discomfort, tension, asymmetry, or movement restriction |
| Parent-Led Infant Massage | Practical massage techniques designed to support comfort, alignment, regulation, and caregiver confidence |
| Teaching Caregivers | Helping parents and caregivers understand and use simple strategies safely at home |
| Clinical Application | Understanding when infant massage may be an appropriate adjunct to feeding support and when referral may be required |
| Professional Boundaries | Maintaining safe, ethical, and scope-appropriate practice when working with infants and families |
Who This Course Is For
This course is suitable for massage therapists, manual therapists, nurses, midwives, lactation consultants, physiotherapists, allied health professionals, infant care specialists, doulas, and healthcare professionals involved in supporting infants and families.
It is also valuable for practitioners seeking a deeper understanding of feeding support, infant regulation, caregiver education, and family-centred approaches to developmental care.
About Brianne Taggart
Brianne Taggart RN, IBCLC, CEIM is a Registered Nurse, Certified Educator of Infant Massage, and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant with extensive experience supporting infant feeding, parent education, and early developmental care.
Her work focuses on helping families navigate feeding challenges through evidence-informed education, compassionate support, and practical strategies that strengthen both caregiver confidence and infant wellbeing.
Known for her clear and approachable teaching style, Brianne combines clinical expertise with real-world application to help professionals better support infants and their families.
Included With This Course
| Included | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Recordings | Full online course recordings presented by Brianne Taggart |
| Course Materials | Downloadable educational resources and supporting materials |
| Online Exam | Assessment included for course completion |
| Certificate | 5 Hours CE/CPD certificate following successful completion |
| Lifetime Access | Unlimited access to all course materials and recordings |
| Subtitles | English, French, German, and Spanish subtitles included |
