How to Help Your Baby When They Have Hiccups

Hiccups in babies are quite common, especially in newborns and usually do not signal anything serious. The typical reason is an irritation to the diaphragm, that is, to the muscle at the base of the lungs.

Sometimes, these muscle spasms or cramps cause the vocal cords to clamp down, making the familiar "hic!" sound that you might cherish or dread.

Newborn hiccups start appearing within the first few weeks of life and go on and off for the next year. To the eyes of most people, it appears to be an uncomfortable situation; however, most babies are not bothered by them.

In cases where hiccups persist for an extended period, it is best to consult a medical professional for a check, as they may be due to Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD).

• Overfeeding

  When a baby's stomach is overly full, it puts pressure on the diaphragm, which can cause hiccups. Therefore, ingesting air can also cause hiccups while feeding, particularly if the infant is screaming or extremely hungry.

• Feeding Too Quickly

  A newborn who feeds too quickly ends up ingesting more air than milk, which irritates the diaphragm and can result in hiccups. Hiccup attacks are less frequent when feeding is done at a somewhat leisurely speed.

• Sudden Temperature Changes

  Hiccups can be triggered by a sudden temperature shift, such as exposing the infant to cold air or cold milk, which can cause spasms in the diaphragm muscles.

• Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER)

  Some newborns experience hiccups due to stomach contents irritating the diaphragm. A first examination with a paediatrician is advised if these episodes become too frequent, stop eating, or result in discomfort or spitting.

Hiccups are rather frequent and often harmless in newborns. You can attempt a few safe and efficient methods to soothe or at least minimise your baby's hiccups, even though these brief episodes normally go away on their own:

• Burp Your Baby During and After Feeding

  The infant burps to release any air they may have ingested during eating, which may result in baby hiccups. Halfway through a bottle or when switching breasts, try to burp your baby. By doing this, air buildup in the stomach can be avoided, which helps facilitate digestion.

• Hold Your Baby Upright After Feeding

  After feeding, hold your baby in an upright position (ideally for about 20-30 minutes) to help the feed settle. This reduces the risk of reflux, which can often trigger hiccups. Be careful not to bounce around with your baby, as this movement may trigger hiccups as well.

• Offer a Pacifier

  Sometimes, the motion of sucking on a pacifier helps relax a baby's diaphragm, which can sometimes be the muscle causing the hiccups or stopping them. This can sometimes stop the hiccups naturally - without other remedies.

• Try Gripe Water (Only After Consulting a Pediatrician)

  Gripe water helps some parents find some respite for their hiccupping infants. For babies who are colicky or have stomach issues, gripe water is a common over-the-counter herbal medication. To be safe and ensure that your infant is okay, please always get your paediatrician's approval before taking any herbal medicines.

• Adjust Feeding Position and Bottle Nipple Size

  Additionally, feeding posture is crucial. When feeding, try to maintain the head just over the stomach. Consider using a slow-flow nipple if you are bottle-feeding your child. This will help them swallow less air, which may prevent hiccups from occurring in the first place.

Hiccups are usually harmless and nothing to worry about, but there are times that baby hiccups may indicate more than just harmless reflexes. If you're observant, you may see some warning signs and want to pay more attention to your baby's hiccups.

• If the baby is experiencing frequent hiccups, such that it occurs during every feed or after each feed, you may want to consider investigating the cause.
• If hiccups are preventing the baby from feeding or sleeping comfortably and causing significant distress, it's worth investigating.
• If hiccups are accompanied by signs of coughing, vomiting, fussiness, or discomfort, then hiccups could be associated with possible underlying issues such as reflux.
• If the baby maintains consistent hiccups past the age of 12 months, then contacting a paediatrician for a check-up is warranted.
• Ultimately, trust your own gut instinct - if something doesn't add up, getting professional advice is the safest course of action.

Baby hiccups are a common phase of newborn development, and are usually nothing to worry about. By making minor adjustments to feeding practices, position, and timing, you can often avoid or decrease the amount of hiccup episodes.

Remember that while newborn hiccups can look concerning, they are usually harmless for your baby. If you think your baby is having excessive hiccups or seems distressed by them, consult your paediatrician or visit a maternity hospital for reassurance and peace of mind.