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Baby Massage for Redundant/ elongated Colon

Posted by melmae2 @melmae2, May 17, 2022

My baby was diagnosed with an elongated colon at 2 weeks old. She is now 9 weeks and her life is characterized by pain on a daily basis. She is currently only breast feeding. She is on baby laxative as well as suppository’s for constipation. I have recently started a baby massage course in an attempt to learn to help her with pain, bloating, gas and constipation. However, the instructor is concerned that tummy massage may cause more discomfort for her as her colon is loopy.
My questions: Has anyone had a baby with this problem? What did you do to help your baby relieve pain, and has anyone tried baby massage with this issue and what were the results?

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Amanda Burnett | @amandaa | May 20, 2022

Hi @melmae2 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. While I look for other members that may have had some experience with this, I thought you might like some scholarly information.

"Abdominal massage is a fulfilling way to nurture your infant. It aids digestion, helps to relieve colic, eases tension, regulates breathing, and spurs growth. To help your baby's bowels move, try my variation of a simple "I love you" massage technique. With "I L U" in mind, start at the bottom right side of your baby's abdomen and, using small, gentle circular movements, gently rub toward the top right, forming the letter "I". Stop when you feel the rib cage. Repeat this action, but also then move across the abdomen just above the belly button toward the baby's left side, forming an upside-down "L". Repeat this progression a third time, also moving downward toward the bottom left of the baby's abdomen to form an upside-down "U". Repeat this entire "I love you" massage pattern five to ten times." --- Infant Constipation Relief Tips: https://www.optimalhealthnetwork.com/Infant-Constipation-Relief-s/279.htm

What did your child's doctor say about the massage?

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1 reply
tropicbev | @tropicbev | May 21, 2022
In reply to @amandaa "Hi @melmae2 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. While I look for other members that may..." + (show)
@amandaa

Hi @melmae2 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. While I look for other members that may have had some experience with this, I thought you might like some scholarly information.

"Abdominal massage is a fulfilling way to nurture your infant. It aids digestion, helps to relieve colic, eases tension, regulates breathing, and spurs growth. To help your baby's bowels move, try my variation of a simple "I love you" massage technique. With "I L U" in mind, start at the bottom right side of your baby's abdomen and, using small, gentle circular movements, gently rub toward the top right, forming the letter "I". Stop when you feel the rib cage. Repeat this action, but also then move across the abdomen just above the belly button toward the baby's left side, forming an upside-down "L". Repeat this progression a third time, also moving downward toward the bottom left of the baby's abdomen to form an upside-down "U". Repeat this entire "I love you" massage pattern five to ten times." --- Infant Constipation Relief Tips: https://www.optimalhealthnetwork.com/Infant-Constipation-Relief-s/279.htm

What did your child's doctor say about the massage?

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I found an abdominal self-massage on YouTube that is very helpful when I have trapped gas and constipation. It is very similar to this. They use circular motion in a clockwise direction from the bottom right all the way around to the bottom left. The video is a part of yoga health. I highly suggest looking it up on YouTube. I also found yoga exercises that help relax the colon. I hope your baby gets some relief from massage.

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