7 Reasons Why A Baby Hiccups And How You Can Stop Them

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T a b l e Of C o n t e n t s :

Y o u stare i n t o your b a b y ’ s face, a d m i r i n g his c u t e n e s s . And t h e n it c o m e s , and c o m e s again a n d again. H i c c u p s are v e r y common i n babies, b u t they h a v e the p o w e r to u n n e r v e a n e w mother. T h e i r intensity a n d frequency l e a v e you u n s e t t l e d and r u n for h e l p . But b e f o r e acting o n it, l e a r n about t h e various r e a s o n s for h i c c u p s . MomJunction e x p l a i n s the c a u s e s and t e l l s you h o w to g e t rid o f hiccups i n babies.

W h y Do B a b i e s Get H i c c u p s ?

H i c c u p s are s o common i n babies t h a t your l i t t l e one p e r h a p s hiccupped f o r the f i r s t time w h e n he w a s still i n your w o m b ! Yes, f e t u s e s can h i c c u p from t h e second t r i m e s t e r onwards ( 1 ) . Back t h e n he c o u l d have h i c c u p p e d as h e was s w a l l o w i n g amniotic f l u i d s , but n o w that c a u s e could b e milk o r something e l s e . Let’s s e e what c a u s e s hiccups i n babies:

1 . Gastroesophageal r e f l u x

2 . Overfeeding

O v e r f e e d i n g your b a b y , even o n breast m i l k , can c a u s e the s t o m a c h to b l o a t and d i s t e n d . The s u d d e n expansion o f the a b d o m i n a l cavity s t r e t c h e s the d i a p h r a g m , causing i t to g o into a spasm. T h i s , in t u r n , makes y o u r baby h i c c u p .

3 . Gulping t o o much a i r

I f your b a b y is b o t t l e – f e d , he m a y swallow e x c e s s i v e air s i n c e milk f l o w s faster f r o m a b o t t l e than f r o m your b r e a s t . The a i r inflow c a u s e s symptoms s i m i l a r to t h o s e of o v e r f e e d i n g , and t h e swelled s t o m a c h will r e s u l t in h i c c u p s . Overfeeding i n combination w i t h air s w a l l o w i n g can c a u s e the b a b y to b r e a k into h i c c u p s and g e t cranky.

4 . Allergies

T h e baby c o u l d be a l l e r g i c to c e r t a i n proteins f o u n d in f o r m u l a milk o r even i n breast m i l k , which i n turn c a u s e s an i n f l a m m a t i o n of t h e esophagus, c a l l e d Eosinophilic E s o p h a g i t i s (3). A s a r e a c t i o n to t h e condition, t h e diaphragm f l u t t e r s frequently c a u s i n g hiccups. I n some c a s e s , the a l l e r g y could b e triggered b y a c h a n g e in t h e composition o f the b r e a s t milk d u e to c e r t a i n foods c o n s u m e d by t h e mother.

5 . Asthma

I f your b a b y is a s t h m a t i c , the b r o n c h i a l tubes o f his l u n g s get i n f l a m e d thus r e s t r i c t i n g the a i r f l o w into t h e lungs. T h i s causes w h e e z i n g due t o lack o f breath, w h i c h in t u r n leads t o spasmodic m o v e m e n t of t h e diaphragm t h u s inducing h i c c u p s (4).

6 . Airborne i r r i t a n t s

B a b i e s have a sensitive r e s p i r a t o r y system, a n d any a i r b o r n e irritant s u c h as f u m e s , pollution o r intense f r a g r a n c e can t r i g g e r a c o u g h in t h e m . Repeated c o u g h i n g puts p r e s s u r e on t h e diaphragm, m a k i n g it f l u t t e r . This c a n cause y o u r baby t o break i n t o hiccups.

7 . Drop i n temperature

S o m e t i m e s a d r o p in t h e temperature c a n cause t h e muscles o f the b a b y to c o n t r a c t . This c a n lead t o a c o n t r a c t i o n of t h e diaphragm, m a k i n g the b a b y break i n t o a b o u t of h i c c u p s .

D o not p a n i c if y o u r baby s u d d e n l y starts h a v i n g hiccups. B e alert, a n d analyze t h e reasons, a s that h e l p s you f o c u s on s t o p p i n g the h i c c u p s . Maintain a b a b y hiccups d i a r y to n o t e down t h e time a n d conditions i n which y o u r baby h a s hiccupped. A l s o , register t h e baby’s c o n d i t i o n and r e a c t i o n to t h e pacification m e a s u r e s . This l o g will b e helpful i n case y o u have t o visit t h e pediatrician.

O n c e you u n d e r s t a n d the p a t t e r n , it w i l l be e a s i e r to s t o p the h i c c u p s . But b e f o r e we t e l l you h o w to s t o p hiccups i n babies, l e t ’ s see h o w you c a n prevent t h e m . Prevention i s always b e t t e r than c u r e , isn’t i t ?

H o w To P r e v e n t Hiccups I n Babies?

Y o u can p r e v e n t hiccups i n your b a b y if y o u are c a r e f u l with h i s feed. A c c o r d i n g to p o p u l a r American p e d i a t r i c i a n Dr. W i l l i a m Sears, o v e r f e e d i n g is t h e common c a u s e for h i c c u p s in i n f a n t s . Never b r e a s t f e e d or b o t t l e feed y o u r baby i n large q u a n t i t i e s in o n e go s i n c e it c a n cause a serious d i s t e n s i o n of t h e stomach.

K e e p the f o l l o w i n g points i n mind w h i l e feeding y o u r little o n e :

F e e d your b a b y small q u a n t i t i e s over a longer p e r i o d of t i m e rather t h a n stuffing h i m in o n e sitting. T h i s will h e l p prevent o v e r f e e d i n g that i s a c a u s e for h i c c u p s in b a b i e s .

H o l d your b a b y in a vertical p o s i t i o n while b r e a s t / b o t t l e feeding, a t an a n g l e of 3 5 to 4 5 degrees, s i n c e this w i l l enable s m o o t h flow o f the m i l k through t h e esophagus.

I f your b a b y is o l d enough t o sit, t h e n you c a n b o t t l e feed h i m in s i t t i n g position. Sit b e h i n d him t o support h i s back. F e e d i n g while s i t t i n g will e n s u r e that g r a v i t y plays i t s part i n pulling d o w n just t h e food a n d not t h e air.

L i s t e n to t h e sound h e makes while f e e d i n g . If h e is m a k i n g too m u c h slurping n o i s e , then h e is p r o b a b l y ingesting a lot o f air. A d j u s t the n i p p l e in h i s mouth s o that t h e r e is l i t t l e air g a p . While b r e a s t feeding, e n s u r e that t h e baby’s m o u t h covers t h e entire n i p p l e .

R e g u l a r l y c l e a n and w a s h your b a b y ’ s bottle to p r e v e n t the b u i l d – u p of m i l k solids o n the n i p p l e . An o b s t r u c t i o n while f e e d i n g can c a u s e the b a b y to s u c k more a i r than m i l k thus c a u s i n g hiccups.

N e v e r let a baby s l e e p while f e e d i n g with t h e bottle. U n l i k e breast, w h e r e milk o n l y flows o n suckling, a bottle p r o v i d e s a c o n s t a n t drip o f milk. A p a r t from i n c r e a s i n g the r i s k of c a v i t i e s , it c a n also c a u s e overfeeding, w h i c h in t u r n may l e a d to h i c c u p s .

B r e a k your f e e d i n g with m i n i – b u r p i n g sessions. Place y o u r baby o n your s h o u l d e r and g e n t l y tap h i s back b e t w e e n his s h o u l d e r blades, t o induce a burp. O n c e he b u r p s , give a 20-second b r e a k , and t h e n resume t h e feeding. W h e n feeding f r o m the b o t t l e , wait u n t i l the b o t t l e is h a l f empty a n d then i n d u c e a b u r p . A b r e a k for a few s e c o n d s will h e l p the m i l k to c o m p l e t e l y flow d o w n to t h e stomach f r o m the e s o p h a g u s thus m i t i g a t i n g the c h a n c e s of a hiccup.

N o w , imagine t h a t you h a v e been t a k i n g all t h e precautions, b u t your b a b y still g o t hiccups f o r some r e a s o n . What w o u l d you d o to s t o p them? R e a d on.

H o w To G e t Rid O f Baby H i c c u p s ?

T r y these b u t one a t a t i m e .

1 . Give h i m some s u g a r

T h i s has b e e n the a g e – o l d remedy f o r hiccups. I f your b a b y is o l d enough t o eat s o m e solid f o o d , then p l a c e some s u g a r crystals u n d e r his t o n g u e . In c a s e he i s too y o u n g to c o n s u m e solids, y o u can d i p his p a c i f i e r in s o m e freshly m a d e sugar s y r u p and i n s e r t it i n his m o u t h . Or d i p your f i n g e r in t h e syrup a n d let t h e baby l i c k it. M a k e sure t h a t the p a c i f i e r and y o u r finger a r e both c l e a n . Sugar m a y ease t h e tension i n the d i a p h r a g m , thus s t o p p i n g your b a b y ’ s hiccups.

I t is a more d i r e c t way o f dealing w i t h hiccups. P o s i t i o n your b a b y in a n upright s i t t i n g position a n d gently r u b his l o w e r back a l l the w a y to h i s shoulder i n circular m o t i o n s . You c a n also p l a c e the b a b y on h i s tummy a n d give t h e same m e s s a g e but e n s u r e that y o u place h i m on a soft a n d spongy s u r f a c e , like a mattress. B e gentle w i t h your m o v e m e n t s and d o not a p p l y too m u c h pressure. T h e idea h e r e is t o loosen t h e tension i n his d i a p h r a g m , which c a n relieve h i m of h i c c u p s .

3 . Keep t h e baby u p r i g h t after f e e d i n g

H o l d your b a b y vertical a n d upright f o r up t o 15 m i n u t e s after f e e d i n g . Staying u p r i g h t will k e e p his d i a p h r a g m in i t s natural p o s i t i o n thus p r e v e n t i n g any m u s c l e fluttering. Y o u can a l s o pat h i s back g e n t l y to m a k e him b u r p , which w i l l bring o u t the a i r he i n g e s t e d while f e e d i n g . This w i l l work a t relaxing h i s diaphragm t h u s reducing t h e chances o f hiccups.

4 . Distract y o u r baby

S o m e t i m e s the g o o d old p e e k – a – b o o can d o the t r i c k ! Whenever y o u r baby b r e a k s into b o u t s of h i c c u p s , try d i s t r a c t i n g him w i t h a g a m e activity o r by r a t t l i n g his f a v o r i t e toy i n front o f him. H i c c u p s are c a u s e d by m u s c l e spasms, w h i c h can b e triggered b y nerve i m p u l s e s . A c h a n g e in a nerve s t i m u l i through t o u c h (like i n massage) o r through s o m e sensory i n p u t (seeing f a v o r i t e toy) c a n subdue t h e frequency o f baby h i c c u p s if n o t completely s t o p them.

5 . Try g r i p e water

N o t e that t h e r e is n o scientific b a c k i n g to t h e benefits o f gripe w a t e r to t r e a t gastrointestinal p r o b l e m s in i n f a n t s (5). Y e t , it i s one o f the m o s t popular s o l u t i o n s to t r e a t gastric d i s c o m f o r t , which c o u l d be a cause f o r hiccups i n babies. Y o u can g i v e gripe w a t e r by d i l u t i n g it w i t h clean d r i n k i n g water. Y o u r baby m a y be a l l e r g i c to c e r t a i n ingredients i n the g r i p e water o r could b e too y o u n g to c o n s u m e it. C o n s u l t a p e d i a t r i c i a n before g i v i n g gripe w a t e r to y o u r baby.

Y o u may t r y one o r more o f the a b o v e remedies f o r hiccups. B u t in y o u r anxiety, y o u might s o m e t i m e s do t h i n g s which c o u l d do m o r e harm t h a n good t o the b a b y .

T h i n g s You S h o u l d Never D o

T h e r e are c e r t a i n remedies f o r hiccups t h a t are s u i t e d for a d u l t s . Never t r y them o n your l i t t l e one s i n c e it m a y lead t o adverse e f f e c t s .

S t a r t l e or s c a r e the b a b y : Never t r y to s t a r t l e or s c a r e the b a b y to m a k e him s t o p hiccupping. A loud b a n g of a bursting p l a s t i c bag, c o m m o n l y used f o r hiccupping a d u l t s , may c a u s e damage t o the s e n s i t i v e eardrums o f babies. I t may a l s o scare t h e baby t o the p o i n t that h e slips i n t o a c o l i c trauma.

F e e d sour c o n f e c t i o n e r y : Sour c a n d y works g r e a t for a d u l t s but i s not m e a n t for b a b i e s . Even i f your l i t t l e one i s over 1 2 months, i t is n o t advisable t o feed h i m sour c a n d y or o t h e r sour e a t a b l e s to a l l e v i a t e hiccups. M o s t sour c a n d i e s contain p o w d e r e d edible a c i d , which m a y not b e good f o r the h e a l t h of y o u r little o n e .

S l a p the b a c k of t h e baby: The l i g a m e n t s in y o u r baby’s s k e l e t o n are s t i l l supple a n d any s h o c k or b r u t e force m a y cause t h e m serious d a m a g e . For t h i s reason, n e v e r slap t h e back o f the b a b y to s t o p him f r o m hiccupping. Y o u may g e n t l y tap, b u t any f o r c e beyond t h a t can i n f l i c t injury.

P r e s s the e y e b a l l s : Ocular m u s c l e s , the s t r a n d s of m u s c l e s that h e l p the e y e move, a r e still i n their d e v e l o p m e n t a l stages. T h i s means t h e y are l e s s likely t o bring t h e eye b a c k to i t s normal p o s i t i o n if d e a l t with f o r c e . Pressing t h e eyeball o f a b a b y , even g e n t l y , is, t h e r e f o r e , a s t r i c t no-no.

P u l l the t o n g u e or a limb: Babies a r e delicate, a n d like m e n t i o n e d earlier, t h e i r bones a n d joints a r e not y e t capable o f withstanding p u l l s and t u g s . Do n o t pull t h e tongue o r limbs o f the b a b y to p r e v e n t him f r o m hiccupping.

H i c c u p s are a temporary n u i s a n c e , which c a n be d e a l t with a few r i g h t measures. B u t if t h e y recur f r e q u e n t l y , then i t is t h e time t o see a doctor.

W h e n To C o n s u l t A D o c t o r ?

1 . If i t is g a s t r o e s o p h a g e a l reflux

I f your b a b y has c h r o n i c hiccups a n d always b u r p s with g o b s of l i q u i d , then h e may b e showing s y m p t o m s of g a s t r o e s o p h a g e a l reflux. G a s t r o e s o p h a g e a l reflux i s usually a c c o m p a n i e d by o t h e r symptoms, i n c l u d i n g irritability, a r c h i n g of t h e back a n d crying a f t e r a f e w minutes o f feeding. I n case y o u suspect i t to b e reflux, c o n s u l t your p e d i a t r i c i a n right a w a y .

2 . Hiccups i n t e r f e r e with a c t i v i t i e s like s l e e p and f e e d i n g

I t is o k a y for t h e baby t o hiccup o n c e in a while b u t if t h e hiccups i n t e r f e r e with h i s daily a c t i v i t i e s such a s feeding, s l e e p and p l a y t i m e , then y o u must t a k e him t o the d o c t o r . If t h e hiccups g e t chronic a n d hinder h i s daily a c t i v i t i e s , then y o u r baby w i l l automatically s h o w signs o f discomfort. T h i s means t h a t his h i c c u p s could b e due t o an u n d e r l y i n g cause t h a t needs m e d i c a l attention.

3 . When t h e hiccups l a s t for h o u r s or d a y s

B a b i e s , including t h e newborns, c a n hiccup a l m o s t daily f o r several m i n u t e s or a n hour. I f they g e n e r a l l y appear h a p p y and c o m f o r t a b l e , then t h e r e is n o reason t o worry. B u t if t h e hiccups s h o w no s i g n of f a d i n g and c o n t i n u e for a n abnormally l o n g time, t h e n the c a u s e could b e serious. A l s o , observe i f the b a b y ’ s hiccups a r e accompanied b y an a b n o r m a l sound l i k e wheezing. I n such c a s e s , you s h o u l d certainly c o n s u l t your p e d i a t r i c i a n .

P a t i e n c e and o b s e r v a t i o n will h e l p you a n d your b a b y smile y o u r way t h r o u g h hiccups. H o u s e h o l d remedies a r e the s i m p l e means o f suppressing a n d even p r e v e n t i n g hiccups i n your b a b y . Always r e m e m b e r , hiccups a r e never g o i n g to h a r m the b a b y and a r e completely n o r m a l in i n f a n t s (6). S o never p a n i c about t h e m since i t is a natural e v e n t . Some b a s i c precautions w h i l e feeding s h o u l d help y o u deal w i t h baby h i c c u p s on a day t o day b a s i s . In c a s e the h i c c u p p i n g gets c h r o n i c , then c o n s u l t a p e d i a t r i c i a n .

D o you h a v e any r e m e d i e s for h i c c u p s in b a b i e s ? Do s h a r e them w i t h us. L e a v e a c o m m e n t below.

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