Hiccups in infants can be stopped or prevented in several ways. Taking breaks between feeding to burp and utilizing pacifiers, for example, can be beneficial. It’s essential to mention that most babies experience hiccups during their first year of life, and they’re usually not a cause for alarm.
The hiccups occur when the diaphragm of the newborn contracts. The hiccupping sound is caused by forcing air out via closed voice chords.
Someone may be worried that a newborn’s hiccups are causing distress. In this post, we’ll look at what causes hiccups in babies, how to stop and avoid them, and when to consult a doctor.
What Leads Newborns to Have Hiccups?
According to a 2012 article, the hiccup reflex may be used to release extra air from the stomach. The medical world, on the other hand, is still divided on whether hiccups have a purpose. So, what causes them in the human body?
Hiccups occur when the diaphragm spasms, causing the vocal cords to close quickly. The hiccupping sound is made when air is forced out via closed vocal cords.
A big muscle that runs across the bottom of the rib cage is the diaphragm. As a person breathes, it rises and falls.
Hiccups in infants usually happen for no obvious reason, but feeding might cause the diaphragm to spasm on occasion. When a baby is born, these things could happen:
- Overfeeds
- Eats too fast
- Inhales excessive amounts of air
The stomach of the newborn may grow as a result of these circumstances. It swells and pushes on the diaphragm, causing spasms and hiccups.
If you have a lot of hiccups that bother you, you might have an underlying health problem like gastroesophageal reflux (GER). Whenever partially digested food and stomach acid pass back up the food pipe, this happens. These fluids may irritate the diaphragm and cause spasms.
Hiccups aren’t always caused by a lack of food or a digestive problem. For unclear reasons, the diaphragm might spasm.
Baby Hiccups: How Get Prevent Them
Take a Break for Burping
Pausing feeding to burp your infant can help relieve hiccups by removing extra gas which may be causing them.
Burping also helps since it raises your baby’s head. Burping your bottle-fed baby not just after each feeding, but also throughout the feeding is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Burp your infant after they switch breasts if you’re breastfeeding them.
Make Use of a Pacifier
Hiccups in babies don’t usually occur after a feeding. Letting your infant suck on a pacifier when they begin to hiccup on their own may promote relaxation of the diaphragm and prevent the hiccups.
Use Gripe Water
If your baby’s hiccups seem to have been bothering them, you might want to try gripe water. Gripe water is a mixture of herbs and water that some people believe will help with colic and other intestinal issues, yet there is no evidence to back this up.
Ginger, fennel, chamomile, and cinnamon are just a few of the plants that can be used. Hiccups in babies have not been proven to be relieved by gripe water in scientific trials. Gripe water is not monitored by the Food and Drug Administration because it is also considered a supplement.
It’s usually a good idea to consult with your baby’s doctor before giving him or her something new.
Allow Them to Come To a Complete Halt on Their Own
Hiccups are common in infants under the age of one, so leaving them alone is the best option. The majority of the time, your baby’s hiccups will go away on their own.
If your baby’s hiccups don’t go away after you leave them alone, contact their pediatrician. Hiccups can be an indication of a more serious health problem, however, this is uncommon.
When Should You See a Doctor?
Hiccups in babies under the age of 12 months are usually not a cause for concern.
If somehow the hiccups are persistent and seem to be distressing the baby, consult a doctor as this could suggest an underlying health problem.
Hiccups are a common side effect of GER. A newborn may develop GER if they also exhibit the following symptoms:
- Cries more frequently than normal, especially around feedings
- During or after feedings, they arch their back excessively.
- Spitting up more frequently than normal
Anyone who fears a baby has GER should consult a physician. The problem is easy to resolve.
What Should You Avoid Doing?
You can find a range of home remedy tips on the internet if you search this issue.
It’s crucial to know that many of the traditional hiccup remedies should be avoided when your kid develops them. Don’t scare or pull your baby’s tongue, for example.
These treatments are ineffective for babies and may be harmful. There’s no need to interfere if the baby appears to be calm.
Prevention
Although hiccups are rarely avoidable, the methods listed below may help:
- To keep the infant peaceful, feed him or her before they get too hungry.
- Small amounts of food should be given to the baby regularly.
- Following each feeding, leave the infant upright for 30 minutes.
- Adjust the bottle so that the teat is not in contact with any air.
- Assuring that the baby’s mouth is completely covered by the nipple.
- When feeding your child, make sure he or she is relaxed. This means that you should not wait until your baby is restless and crying before starting to feed them.
- Avoid jumping up or down or high-energy play with your baby following a feeding.
Summary
Hiccups in newborns are usually not a reason for concern. During their first year, the majority of babies experience hiccups. Plenty of the possible reasons has something to do with food.
Hiccups can be prevented by following appropriate feeding practices and using various home treatments.
Consult a doctor if hiccupping occurs frequently, or if it causes suffering or other issues. If hiccups occur regularly when a baby turns a year old, it’s also a wise idea to see a doctor.
