How to get rid of newborn hiccups? What should you do

 Baby hiccups are adorable. However, they are a source of anxiety for new parents. Parents are looking forward to knowing how to get rid of newborn hiccups. It’s imperative to know that hiccups are harmless. They are not signing of bigger health issues. Like when an adult gets hiccups, there is nothing to worry similarly they tend to go away in a newborn after a few minutes.

What causes baby hiccups?

Hiccups usually start when the baby is still in the womb. It is said that they are linked to lung development. During the time, the fetal practice of breathing inside the womb, hiccups are caused due to intake of amniotic fluid.

The cause of newborn hiccups is well-known. They occur due to spasms of the diaphragm. The diaphragm of newborns gets irritated due to eating or drinking very fast or by long periods of crying. Contraction of the diaphragm results in the sucking of air through the throat. When air comes in, the vocal cords of the newborn close and respond by the release of “hiccups”.

How to get rid of newborn hiccups

A newborn usually gets hiccups after breastfeeding. Many parents experience constant struggling with baby hiccups. Doctors say they’re normal. Some babies even sleep with constant hiccups as they do not interfere newborn’s breathing. In this article, we will throw some light on how to get rid of newborn hiccups. These tips are listed below.

  • Burp Your Baby

Hiccupping is a way to relieve your baby. How to get rid of newborn hiccups is quite simple. You can burp your baby by applying pressure on your baby’s abdomen. It can also be helped by a gentle rubbing of their back. Simply you have to place your baby on your shoulder and gently rub their back. Even you can place your baby against your leg and pat their back. There is another way as well. You can bicycle their legs to release gas.

  • Offer something to suck

Try offering a pacifier. Sucking a pacifier will help to relax the baby’s diaphragm. It will release or decrease their hiccupping. Another way is to allow your baby to “comfort nurse”. It will have a similar effect. But don’t force if your baby doesn’t want a pacifier or wants to nurse.

  • Let the hiccups run their course.

There are times when hiccupping seems not to affect your baby. You can just let it be. Just remember, if hiccupping is accompanied by excessive crying or blenching or it is disturbing sleep or feeding, then you should consider medical attention.

  • Consider gripe water drops.

If your baby has continued hiccups, you can try giving them some gripe water. Gripe water is a combination of ginger, fennel, and many more herbs. Gripe water in babies can release excess gas or air in the stomach.

  • Sit Your Baby Upright After Feeds

While feeding, you must hold your baby upright. It will help to digest milk and decrease hiccupping at the same time. This will help the milk to move downwards and air to rise so that they can burp it out.

  • Feed Smaller Amounts More Often

It is found that overfeeding leads to hiccups. Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, check the rate by which the newborn is having milk. Drinking too fast can result in baby hiccups.

  • Check your baby’s bottle.

Your baby’s bottle might be the reason behind hiccups. Many bottles trap air more than others. If your baby gets hiccups more often while feeding, try to use a bottle of another brand.

  • Latching Correctly During Nursing

If you’re breastfeeding, you must latch your baby correctly. Make sure your baby’s head, neck, and spine are aligned. Use pillows for the baby. Encourage your baby to open his mouth. The wider its mouth is, the easier it will be to get a good latch.

  • Help Them Relax

Most parents are always concerned about how to get rid of newborn hiccups. The best way is to relax your baby. When a baby is uncomfortable, it may develop hiccups. Calming them down can help you get rid of newborn hiccups.

Here are some ways you can use to relax your baby:

  • Keep them warm
  • Give them a massage
  • Sway gently
  • Check their diaper
  • Put them in a baby swing

How Long Do Baby Hiccups Last?

Hiccups can last for 10 minutes or longer. There is no need to worry when the baby seems to be happy.

What Not to Do with Baby Hiccups

  1. Don’t startle them
  2. Pull their tongue
  3. Serve a glass of water
  4. Switch the infant formula

 

Do hiccups are a sign of something serious?

Hiccups are considered harmless. In cases when they interfere with feeding and sleeping, that is the time parents should see a doctor. The baby may experience digestive issues due to hiccups. There are times that hiccups come out with spit or fussing. Moreover, if a newborn’s hiccups are accompanied by vomiting, the parents must consult a doctor immediately to rule out any underlying medical condition. It’s time to take medical attention right away when the baby’s hiccups interfere with breathing. It is a sign of a serious issue. In some cases, it is seen that it can turn a baby blue.

Hiccups are a sign of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)

Generally, hiccups don’t bother babies. However, they can be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). GERD is a condition when food and acid go back from the stomach to the esophagus. It is also called heartburn. GERD can cause lots of problems like poor growth, vomiting, or damage to the esophagus.

Signs of GERD in Babies

  • Choking
  • wet hiccups
  • spitting up
  • crying after eating
  • refusing to eat
  • failure to gain weight

In conclusion

But above all, hiccups stop on their own. If hiccups occur too often, you might be concerned about how to get rid of newborn hiccups. You can try these ways to prevent them. First of all, make sure your baby is calm while you feed them. Also, try to avoid playing with your baby right after feeding. The most important thing is to keep your baby in an upright position for 20-30 minutes after feeding is completed. We hope these ways will help your baby prevent hiccups.