Parenting is a really challenging task, especially when it comes to new parents. When a couple is blessed with a newborn, they might experience a lot of difficulties. Hiccups can be one such issue that might trigger new parents.
To help the new parents in the parenting process we have gathered some information about ‘hiccups in newborns’ in this blog.
The hiccups are common in newborns, sometimes they can be persistent, which is uncomfortable for the baby. It may leave your baby crying for no reason or keep him awake all night. As a parent, you might be worried, but there’s no reason to panic. Read on to know more about hiccups in newborns and how to get rid of them.
Hiccups in newborns – A detailed overview
It is a condition where a baby temporarily breathes irregularly and makes a particular sound while breathing. You may find your baby making a clicking, sound while breathing or taking a very quick breath followed by a pause. It is pretty common in newborns, especially while they are breastfeeding.
The exact cause of hiccups in newborns is not known. It may occur due to several reasons. It may be due to a sudden change in the temperature of the environment, a sudden change in food, the cry of the baby, or the reaction of the baby’s nervous system. If your baby is hiccupping for more than a few minutes, then you should try to find out the cause and get rid of it.
How to get rid of hiccups in newborns?
The method to treat hiccups will depend on the cause. If your baby is hiccupping due to a change in temperature, you can hold it in your arms. If it’s due to a change in the food, then you should change the food. If it’s because of crying, then you should try to soothe it. If it is due to the reaction of the nervous system, then it will automatically go away.
Here are other methods to stop hiccups:
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Give a gentle pat on the back
Yes, you read it right. You can give a gentle pat on the back of your baby to get rid of hiccups. It is an ancient trick and is believed that it works in getting rid of hiccups. You need to give a light slap on the lower part of the buttocks, either on the left or right side.
The best part about this method is that it does not harm your baby and has no side effects. It is a quick and easy way to get rid of hiccups. It is believed that hiccups are due to an over-activation of the nerves in the stomach.
Hiccups are basically a reflex that is triggered when the stomach is stretched. A gentle pat on the baby’s buttocks can make the nerves react less, thus stopping the hiccups.
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Jiggle your baby gently
For a shivering sensation, you can jiggle your baby gently. It is another age-old trick that is believed to work in getting rid of hiccups. You can try it to see if it works for your baby.
Jiggle your baby for about 10 seconds and then gently put him back on the bed. You can also try to rub your baby’s hands to increase the shivering sensation.
This can help in relaxing your baby and getting rid of the hiccups. It is believed that the hiccups are due to an over-activation of the nerves in your baby’s stomach.
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Feed your baby with sugar water
If your baby is hiccupping due to a sudden change in the food, you can solve the problem by feeding him with sugar water. You can add one teaspoon of sugar to an ounce of water.
After making the solution, you can feed it to your baby using a dropper. It works in getting rid of the hiccups. You can also give your baby a little bit of water before feeding him. It is believed that the hiccups are due to an over-activation of the nerves in the stomach. Feeding your baby with sugar water can calm down the nerves.
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Massaging his tummy with your palm
You can also massage your baby’s tummy with your palm. It is another way to get rid of the hiccups. You can do it while your baby is awake or while he is sleeping.
You need to make sure that the massage is gentle and relaxing. It is believed that the hiccups are due to an over-activation of the nerves in your baby’s stomach. The gentle massage can calm down the nerves and get rid of the hiccups.
Conclusion
Hiccups are not harmful to your baby. It is just a little sign of the sudden changes in the body, the temperature of the environment, food and the cry of the baby. You can try the above-listed methods to get rid of hiccups. These methods are safe and do not harm your baby in any way. Try it out yourself and see what works the best.
