Yan Ping

Founder of Physio+

Yan Ping is the founder of Physio+, a physiotherapy rehabilitation clinic established in 2017 that adopts a holistic approach to a person’s overall well-being. She graduated from University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) and has been a practicing physiotherapist in Singapore for more than ten years before she decided to pursue a Master’s degree in Manual Therapy and a DMA Clinical Pilates certification to better serve her patients in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Yan Ping’s compassionate nature and professional attitude have not only won her patients’ trust, but also the Singapore Health Quality Service Gold Award in 2011. She started learning about baby massage and is now a certified infant massage instructor with the International Association of Infant Massage (IAIM) as she believes in the healing power of touch.

Yan Ping is also a mother of two beautiful boys, age 5 and 7 years old and a sweet 4-month-old baby girl. She enjoys interaction with people and at the same time helping patients to get back to how they were—to nurture and empower individuals to lead better lives holistically. She firmly believes that everyone should enjoy the quality of life especially when life is short. As a lifelong learner and selfdriven clinician who cares deeply for her patients, she has a penchant for acquiring new skills to get herself equipped with new knowledge so that she could provide better services to them. During her free time, she enjoys going for nature walks as a way to get in touch with Mother Earth and reading a good book to rejuvenate her soul. With an adventurous spirit, she enjoys cooking, exploring and inventing new recipes as well as spending quality time with her family especially her three children whenever she can. To her, this is pure bliss at its finest.

 

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Story of Baby Massage

I got in touch with baby massage since the birth of my first boy. He had colic, sleeping and constipation problems. As a first-time mum, I did not know what to do. It didn’t help when I’m a full-time working mum. It was very stressful and it broke my heart to see him cry so much and that unwittingly/unintentionally put strain on my relationship with my hubby. Tired, lack of sleep and feeling helpless, we brought him to see a pediatrician and was given probiotics. Somehow it did not work for my boy. But luckily, all this came to an end when my friend introduced me to baby massage. My hubby and I were skeptical about it initially. But since we were at our wits’ end, we decided to give it a try. After a few weeks of massage, his colic problem started to improve. Surprisingly, his sleep has also improved.
When I had my second boy, I repeated the same process of bringing him for baby massage. Honestly, it was quite a hassle to bring one baby and one toddler to the clinic weekly. And eventually we stopped. Luckily, our second boy didn’t have much of a colic and digestion problem. And 5 years later, I had a baby girl and started my own clinic. With a full-time job and owning a business, weekends are very precious for my family. I feared for the same problems with my third one, and thought to myself, “Why not I learn baby massage for my baby girl and maybe on my two boys?” This got me started to search for baby massage course online. And I came across this infant massage course by IAIM which is internationally accredited and has been established since 1986. With that in mind, I signed up for it without any hesitation. Through the course, I realised the importance of touch in optimal neurodevelopmental regulation in early infancy and I was lucky to be able to witness first-hand how IAIM massage routine benefitted and enhanced my children’s physical and socioemotional development as well as in strengthening the mother-child bond I have with them. Hence, I want to share this lifelong skill /knowledge with all mothers as well as fathers.
I feel that all mothers should enjoy motherhood, especially full-time working mums who may not always have the privilege to spend quality, quiet moments with their little ones. Fathers will also feel involved and be empowered to fulfil their caregiving roles for their babies. When the babies are sleeping better and longer, no colic and pooping problems, it creates a wonderful impact on the family as there is less stress for the mother and the family.

Q&A

Can I learn the strokes online?

No because the massage might not be done correctly and can cause more harm than good.

When do I start massaging my baby?

Can start from birth but some prefer after six weeks when mothers and babies are more settled down with their routine.

How much pressure to apply?

Firm and gentle.

What is the best time to massage the baby?

When the baby is alert and content

What type of oil to use?

Cold pressed and natural

If my baby fall asleep during the massage, do I continue?

No

Why choose a class instead of a one to one session?

Encourages support between mothers.

Do I massage before or after milk?

At least 45 minutes after milk. No issues with before milk as long as they are alert and content.

Is infant massage necessary?

Too many benefits to say no.

Babies cry when I massage, do I give up?

No, give the baby time to adjust and re look at your strokes.

Can I play music while massaging the baby?

No, full attention needed. Mummy/Daddy’s voice is better than any music.

Room temperature during massage?

24deg to 26deg.

Can my helper do the massage?

No, to be done by parents or grandparents.

Any place that I cannot press?

The fontanelle

Can I use essential oil?

No, to prevent any possible allergic reactions.

Benefits of IAIM infant massage?

Improves sleep quality, strengthens immunity, improves digestion and colic, pain relief (Eg. Teething discomfort), bonding, healthier relationships when the baby grows up (Because of secure attachment).

How many times to massage my baby?

As many times as you and your baby permits.

How long does the massage take?

10min to 20 minutes

Can I massage my baby after her injection?

Not recommended.

Are the strokes hard to remember?

Not at all. Practice makes perfect.