A source of worry and questions for mothers, the constant appearance of hiccups in babies is actually completely natural. When we as parents see them having a bout of hiccups, we imagine they are in pain, but believe it, they feel nothing but discomfort—really! But after all, how do you cure a baby’s hiccups? Is there a way to prevent them?
Hiccup bouts in babies are very common throughout the first year of life and even more frequent up until 3 months old. Did you know that babies can get hiccups while still inside the womb? This happens because they are learning to breathe and their diaphragm is in development. Sometimes, the hiccups are so strong that by touching your belly, you can feel them clearly – and this is totally normal. But back to the topic of how to cure a baby’s hiccups, here are some tips that will really help you solve the issue!
The first and very valuable tip is to put the baby to breastfeed, because the act of sucking will stop the hiccup reflex, and in just a moment, you’ll notice that the hiccups have quickly stopped! For older babies, you can also offer a little water, which will help solve and cure the hiccups. But if the baby has nursed or eaten recently and doesn’t want to feed again, hold them upright in your arms and help them burp. Many times, hiccups happen after the baby eats too much or even swallows air during a feeding.
Folk remedies and old wives’ tales for curing baby hiccups have been around since grandma’s time, and those who use them say they really work, such as the tip to place a small piece of red wool on the baby’s forehead. But obviously, there is no scientific proof these superstitions work—only faith! The old scare tactic is not recommended for children, especially babies, who, when startled, may just start to cry and make the situation worse.
Why Do Hiccups Happen?
Every human being has a muscle just below the lungs called the diaphragm. This muscle contracts so that air enters the lungs and we can breathe. When it contracts out of its normal rhythm, air enters improperly and this causes hiccups. Since babies’ diaphragms are still maturing, they tend to breathe irregularly, especially when nursing, and so they suffer more from hiccups than adults.
Another very common reason for hiccups in babies is the cold and wet diapers. That’s why it’s very common after a diaper change or during a newborn’s bath for them to get hiccups after being exposed to air. As they grow, they gain more control over the diaphragm and their breathing, and episodes of hiccups disappear. There are ways to lessen hiccup bouts, such as paying attention during feedings and to baby’s latch so they don’t swallow air. If bottle-feeding, choose models that don’t let air accumulate in the bottle and don’t enlarge the nipple hole, because swallowing too much liquid at once can also cause hiccups. Hiccup bouts are not worrying as long as they’re not constant or interfering with the baby’s normal life.
If the hiccups keep happening very often after the baby turns one year old, or if they’re uncontrollable, you should let your pediatrician know. Some babies who experience gastroesophageal reflux tend to have more hiccups than usual. It’s also worth watching for symptoms like cough and reflux, which are also signs of the same problem.
See Also: Basic Manual on How to Care for a Baby – Hiccups and Sleeping Position
Photo: Frank Avitia
