What Causes Hiccups in Babies?

Hiccups are something that can happen to anyone – kids, adults, or even to the elderly. For adults, it can be easy to manage with a gulp of a glass of water. But for babies, hiccups can be pretty tiring.

Hiccups are the reflexive action triggered by the nerves that connect the brain to the diaphragm. It can be set off by a lot of other things like eating too much or too fast.

How to Get Rid of Hiccups in Infants?

Generally, hiccups are not dangerous to a baby. They can occasionally occur in your infant and get resolved on their own. Curing hiccups in a baby doesn’t require any immediate action, but there are few things that you can do to help your baby stop hiccups.

• Rub your baby’s back. Try rubbing your baby back in a circular motion to help him release air that might be creating hiccups in your baby.

• Burp your baby. Hiccups can be a sign that indicates your baby has gulped excess air while breastfeeding. So help your baby to burp.

• Change your baby’s position. Make your baby lie on his stomach. Sometimes this position helps to get rid of hiccups.

• Offer your baby a pacifier. Sometimes when a baby starts sucking, hiccups stop. Thus, you may try giving a pacifier to your baby to stop his hiccups.

When to Call Your Doctor

If you notice that your baby is getting uncomfortable and feeling pain in the chest due to continuous hiccups, seek your doctor’s help. And secondly, immediately consult with your doctor if your baby starts vomiting once these hiccups start. It can be a sign of GERD in your baby.

To prevent these hiccups from reoccurring, adjust your feeding timings and amount. Some research says that overfeeding a baby can lead to hiccups.

Burp your baby well after every feed. You may have to stand for about 15 minutes carrying him in your hands, just to make him burp. But this helps a baby to get relief from reflux.

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