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Hiccups in babies are completely normal, especially when it comes to hiccups in babies after eating. Although it is unpleasant, you should know that in most cases it does not harm the baby. Many moms worry when the baby hiccups after breastfeeding, especially when it comes to mom and baby in the first weeks of the child's life. But if the baby's hiccups are not accompanied by frequent vomiting or poor progress in the baby's weight, there is no reason to worry.

The fact that when a baby hiccups is important, young parents get very upset and even count how many times the baby has hiccups, and they often consult a pediatrician, which is generally not necessary. Seeing a pediatrician isn't a bad move, but it's often not necessary. In the following text, you will have the opportunity to find out why babies hiccup, as well as how to help a baby when it hiccups and how to calm hiccups in babies.

Why do babies have hiccups?

When it comes to babies and hiccups, you should be careful, but don't worry too much. Namely, hiccups are a transient phenomenon, especially the hiccups of newborns, which are very common. Baby hiccups occur as a result of the contraction of the diaphragm, so it is not surprising that the most common hiccups are after a meal. Between the esophagus and the stomach there is a so-called valve that opens and closes to allow food to reach the stomach and to prevent food from returning to the esophagus.

Hiccups in a newborn is a normal phenomenon, because the valve is insufficiently developed and does not perform its function and task completely, and the milk returns to the esophagus, which is why babies burp after feeding or after a meal. As the milk returns from the stomach, the baby's esophagus is irritated, thus encouraging the diaphragm to contract, resulting in hiccups. In most cases, it is a physiological phenomenon, which does not disturb the baby's health in any way.

You should know that as the child grows, hiccups in babies decrease, and as soon as they start eating solid food, hiccups almost no longer occur. If the baby is progressing normally, is in a good mood and has an appetite, there is no need to worry, it is just a harmless phenomenon when it comes to hiccups in babies.

The cause of the hiccups themselves is always the milk with which the baby is breastfed and fed, because the stomach is full after feeding. Also, it is normal for newborns to swallow a lot of air, especially if they are fed with a bottle that has a nipple without a valve. For these reasons, it is believed that babies who suck greedily are more susceptible to hiccups, because together with milk they swallow large amounts of air, so it is advised that babies who are prone to hiccups should be fed little more often.

What to do when a baby hiccups?

When a baby hiccups, it doesn't hurt and it doesn't present any problem or inconvenience, as is the case with adults when they get hiccups. The very phenomenon of a newborn hiccups is more frequent and unpleasant for the parents themselves and the environment, because it is very likely that the baby's hiccups will last and last for a long time. There are several ways to help a baby with hiccups:

• A teaspoon of lukewarm water can reduce hiccups very quickly, as in adults, a glass of water is recommended if there is continuous hiccups. The water stretches the diaphragm and thus calms the baby's hiccups.
• If the hiccups of the baby occur due to breastfeeding, it is necessary to place the baby in an upright position and lean it against you, so that its head is on your shoulder. A very gentle pat on the back will encourage the expulsion of swallowed air.
• If the newborn hiccups, offer him to nurse more. Frequent breastfeeding can also reduce the baby's hiccups, because breastfeeding establishes a normal rhythm of breathing and swallowing.
• As with adults, you should stop breathing for a short time to stop the hiccups, and press the baby's nose with your fingers so that the baby reflexively stops breathing.

What not to do when the baby hiccups?

Just as there are methods that should be applied to help when babies have hiccups, there are also mistakes that should be avoided when babies have hiccups. Older people, often grandparents who just want to help, advise their children to give their babies some lemon juice when it comes to hiccups. However, this is not advisable for several reasons. Firstly, sour juice causes discomfort to such a small baby, and secondly, it is not recommended to give children citrus fruits until the end of the first year due to possible allergic reactions.

Also, it often happens that young parents are advised that when the baby hiccups, only carbonated water helps. This is by no means true, as bubbly water can only make the baby's hiccups worse due to the distension of the stomach. Every pediatrician and parent who has already experienced hiccups with an older child will advise new parents not to apply vigorous rocking when the baby hiccups, as this will increase the risk of the milk returning to the esophagus and the hiccups only getting worse. What many apply when it comes to babies and hiccups is a back massage. Namely, massage can cause the baby to burp, which can often stop the hiccups, but is not healthy for the baby's stomach.

Baby hiccups - consult a pediatrician

Hiccups in babies are a mild and transient discomfort that usually subsides in just a minute. Also, hiccups are not harmful to the baby's health and disappear as the baby grows. But, if it happens that the hiccups of the baby are very frequent and constantly repeated, it is also accompanied by vomiting, the baby's poor progress and weight gain, the baby's sleep which is superficial and which is often interrupted due to the hiccups, or simply the newborn interrupts the meals by crying and you don't know how to feed the baby when he won't eat, you need to visit a doctor and ask for professional help to determine what it is actually about.

If there are any of the above symptoms, it may be gastroesophageal reflux, which is a disorder that is not rare in newborns, and hiccups may be one of the symptoms that indicate this disorder. If we are talking about gastroesophageal reflux, there is therapy to eliminate the mentioned disorder, so there is no need to worry because there is a solution for everything.

New research indicates that hiccups are normal for babies while they are still in the mother's womb. In that case, it is more likely that the hiccups in the newborn will continue even after delivery, but you should know that it does not represent any medical problem if it is not accompanied by some additional unusual phenomena.

If you also need help or advice when caring for babies at home, you can contact us, and we will share our knowledge and experience with you and make every day with your baby be colored with laughter and memorable memories.