As a new parent, you may see your baby hiccup a lot. You may have even felt the hiccups while your little one was still in the womb! So you may be wondering what if anything to do about all this hiccuping.
Why Do Babies Get Hiccups?
First things first, let’s discuss the potential causes for your baby’s hiccups. Like adults, there are many reasons why your newborn will have hiccups. Most of them are perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.
It’s A Reflex
Hiccups are one of the first reflexes that your little ones learn. Some babies in fact start hiccuping as early as six months into your pregnancy. If you felt little spasms in your belly, this may have been your child hiccupping. Some theorize that hiccuping is essential to your baby’s development, particularly lung development.
Too Much Air
Others believe that the cause of hiccups may be too much air while feeding. Think of how sometimes you may get hiccups if you eat or drink too quickly. The baby’s diaphragm is spasming just like yours would.
Environmental Changes
Whether something that startles your baby or there’s dramatic temperature change, environmental changes can be another reason for hiccupping. This can include switching from a hot food to a cold one.
How Can I Stop Baby Hiccups?
While adults tend to be bothered by hiccups, we should note that babies usually are just fine with them. Many of them can sleep through a bout of hiccups too. If you want to get rid of baby hiccups, though, here are a few home remedies other parents have used:
- Burp your baby. If the cause was just too much air in their bellies, sometimes a burp is all your baby needs to reset.
- Gripe water. This combination of water and herbs is often used to help with colic. So the theory goes it may help if your baby is having some discomfort with their hiccups. There’s no FDA approval on this, so use this option at your own discretion.
- Use a pacifier. Sucking on the pacifier can help to slow their breathing and relax their diaphragm.
- Just give it time. Sometimes your little one will just have to get to the other side. A little time and soon enough most cases of hiccups go away.
It is important to not try some adult home remedies like scaring your child, pulling their tongue, or having them drink upside down.
How Can I Prevent Hiccupping?
Now that you know what to do when your baby has hiccups, here are a few tips you can use to prevent or reduce hiccupping. Most of these measures focus on the feeding process.
- Feed them when they are calm. Excited babies may gulp down more air.
- Slow down feeding. Especially if your baby tends to hiccup during feeding.
- Burp your baby. This can reduce gas that may be irritating their stomach lining.
- Hold your baby upright or keep them upright after the meal. This helps with feeding.
- If you are bottle-feeding, make sure the nipple is full. Or try a different nipple if it seems like there’s a lot of air.
- If breastfeeding, make sure your baby gets a good latch on your nipple. This also reduces the excess air.
- Avoid a lot of bouncing or jostling after feeding.
Of course, remember, that hiccupping is still inevitable. So take it in stride when it does happen.
When To Call Your Doctor
While most hiccupping is not a cause for concern, there are a few scenarios in which you can reach out to your pediatrician. If you notice that your baby is upset or irritable due to hiccupping, it can’t hurt to call. Especially if it seems like they are hiccupping a lot. This could be a sign of other medical issues.
Also reach out to your physician if your baby is vomiting after hiccupping. This could be a sign of a digestive issue or acid reflux. Your baby may have gastroesophageal reflux (GER) if they are arching their back during feeds, crying more, or spitting up more. Luckily this is easy to treat and a call with your doctor can help you figure out next steps. Most babies grow out of GER after 18 months or so.
Now that you know all about baby hiccups, it’s time to check another task off your parenting to do list. Finding child care in your neighborhood. Find the child care provider that’s the best fit for you and your family on Sittercity.
