Hiccups are caused by involuntary diaphragm contractions. Sudden vocal cords that produce the “hic” sound usually accompanies the contractions. For most parts, your baby may develop hiccups and the ensuing discomfort will necessitate some medication.
What causes baby hiccups?
We all experience hiccups at different times- but less often as we grow older. Babies are unusually prone to hiccups even when they are still in the womb. At the womb, you may feel your baby having these hiccups but they should not worry you much. Hiccups are normal reflexes and should not cause any alarms.
Your baby may become susceptible to hiccups due to his emotions or when feeding. However, as the baby’s internal organs continue to mature you should expect the number of hiccups to decline. A drop in temperature may also cause your baby to develop hiccups.
Babies with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have higher chances of developing hiccups; irritation, spitting, and coughing accompanies these infant’s hiccups. Though hiccups are less severe, seeking medical assistance is always important.
Other causes of baby hiccups include:
– Emotional stress
– Swallowing too much air
– Eating too quickly
– Eating too much food
How to prevent baby hiccups
1. Take short burp break
Feeding your baby continuously without breaks will make his/her stomach fill with air. The air can push the diaphragm, which causes spasms. Take short burps from feeding your baby; doing so reduces the amount of air in their stomach, which prevents hiccups from happening. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that taking breaks to burp babies after consuming 2 to 3 ounces of food is vital in preventing hiccups. Besides, if you are breastfeeding your baby, you can burp them while switching between the breasts.
2. Rubbing the baby’s back
You should rub your baby’s back and rock him forth and across to help him relax. Doing so helps to stop the spasms that cause the hiccups.
3. Feed them with gripe water
Gripe water is a combination of natural herbs and water. The mixture is ideal for preventing hiccups when the hiccups root cause is stomach issues. Gripe water contains ginger, fennel, chamomile and cinnamon; these ingredients are ideal for treating colic and other stomach problems. The effectiveness of gripe water in preventing hiccups is still under research but trying them with caution is always important.
Baby hiccups are a common experience, especially during the first year. Most of the reasons for the hiccups relate to feeding but you can always seek remedies to prevent them.