Newborns frequently have hiccups, but they are nothing to worry about, although they may trouble parents about when to stop them. Fortunately, many explanations for baby hiccups exist alongside practical hints that ensure they remain comfortable, including some that make them go away easily.
This guide is intended to help answer why newborns hiccup too often or hardly ever and how to stop hiccups in newborns.
Uncontrolled contractions of the diaphragm muscle, which is responsible for breathing, cause baby hiccups. Due to diaphragm spasms, vocal cords close abruptly, creating a ‘hic’ sound.
1. Overfeeding – Overfeeding results in much food in the abdomen, which leads to irritation of the diaphragm.
2. Swallowing air—If babies drink from a bottle rapidly or are fed while breastfeeding by their mothers, there is a possibility that they might swallow air accompanying their feeds.
3. Sudden temperature changes – This may, at times, act as a trigger for hiccups in infants.
4. Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) – Occasionally, some babies might have mild reflux meaning that the stomach contents flow backward into the oesophagus, thus irritaing the diaphragm.
Baby hiccups often don’t matter, but knowing how to cure a newborn's hiccups could be helpful for parents to provide instant relief to their baby.
If your infant has prolonged hiccups, try these easy and safe remedies.
1. Adjust Feeding Techniques
● Ensure the correct positioning of the child while breastfeeding so as to reduce the child's air intake.
● For any bottle feeders, use nipples which release milk slowly.
● Overfeeding triggers hiccups because when you are full, it's common sense that after eating, you feel like you always did. Only here, “the food” stands for anything from formula drinks to solid food items.
2. Burp Your Baby Often
● When babies burp, they release trapped air, preventing diaphragm irritation.
● Midway through the feeding session, after drinking, finish the milk and try burping your baby.
● Pat their backs gently while holding your baby upright, encouraging burping.
3. Use a Pacifier
● This will help the baby relax the diaphragm and reduce hiccups.
● At the same time, breastfeeding mothers may use pacifiers to calm their babies down without changing their routine.
4. Keep Baby Upright after Feeding
● If held upright for 20 to 30 minutes after eating, babies will not have hiccups caused by reflux.
● Avoid laying the baby flat immediately following any meal since this can also trigger hiccups.
5. Gently Rub the Baby’s Back
● Massaging lightly helps relax the child’s diaphragm and arrests hiccups naturally.
● However, avoid shaking or jerking motions that may discomfort the child.
6. Offer Small Sips of Warm Water (for Babies Over 6 Months)
● A few sips of warm water might be helpful if a baby is more than 6 months old and has the hiccups.
● Water should never be given to infants under 6 months old unless advised by a doctor.
7. Ensure a Calm Feeding Environment
● Minimise distractions during feeding times so your baby does not gulp air.
● In this way, parents will effectively know how to stop hiccups in newborns and keep them comfortable by avoiding their occurrence.
Although newborns hiccup often, which is normal, some preventive measures can help reduce the occurrence of such hiccups.
1. Feed your baby in an upright position — This helps milk flow smoothly into the stomach, thus reducing air intake.
2. Ensure that feeding is slow and controlled. Let the baby drink at a regular pace to avoid swallowing too much air.
3. Avoid playing right after feeding — Sudden moves right after eating might trigger hiccups.
4. Check for feeding cues — Feeding your baby before he gets too hungry can help prevent rushed feeding and air intake.
Normally, hiccups in newborns do not harm them as they resolve sufficiently by themselves. Though occasionally, when they become excessive or persist frequently, this may point to an underlying condition, therefore consult the following:
● If they occur for more than 20-30 minutes in most cases.
● If the hiccups are always accompanied by irritability or feeding problems, excessive crying or something does not feel right around that area.
● If the baby is always spitting up milk or showing signs of reflux.
At Cloudnine, you will receive help from professionals and experts in healthcare for newborns such as constant hiccups.
Cloudnine is a trusted name in paediatric care, providing expert guidance for parents navigating newborn concerns, including how to get rid of newborn hiccups. Our team of qualified child specialists offers necessary advice concerning baby care and feeding techniques, among other things, which all contribute to the well-being of the baby at large.
You can find the following services at Cloudnine:
1. Personalised paediatric consultations - Our experts will assist you with any questions related to feeding and digestion in babies.
2. Authoritative recommendations on childcare for newborns - Parents will learn about breastfeeding patterns, burping techniques, etc.
3. Regular appointments regarding infants’ health - It helps determine whether a child’s development rate is in obedience to biological norms or requires medical correction.
Infants always have hiccups. It’s just that if they’re too frequent, they have the parents searching ways on how to cure a newborn's hiccups. Adjusting feeding positions, burping now and then, and having a calm feeding setting eases the whole scenario regarding newborns' hiccups.
If your baby constantly experiences hiccups or they make him uncomfortable, it is advisable to consult an expert such as Cloudnine’s professionals.
To receive practical advice on newborn babies’ health, contact Cloudnine immediately!
Stopping hiccups in newborns quickly often involves simple, gentle techniques that help relax the diaphragm. This includes bumping their backs.
Yes, a very full stomach can cause hiccups in babies. Hiccups are common in babies and are usually not a cause for concern.
The best position for a baby with hiccups is to make them sit upright or hold them upright. This position can help reduce gas and air from entering the stomach.
Hiccups may be symptomatic of a disease if they last for days or weeks, and may be symptomatic of an underlying disease. Certain lung or brain disorders can sometimes interfere with the functioning of the diaphragm and make the person prone to hiccups.
Baby hiccups are a normal, involuntary reflex caused by the diaphragm muscle that often occurs during or after feeding. Common triggers include overfeeding, eating too quickly, and swallowing air. However, hiccups are harmless and typically subside in 5-10 minutes.
