Buzz
Most cases of infant hiccup are harmless and will resolve on their own after a while, but there are a few instances where persistent and strong hiccups can make the baby tired, vomit, and become irritable. Hence, treating the hiccup episode for the baby as quickly as possible is crucial, and mothers can follow these methods:
1. Give the baby water or milk
For babies under 6 months old, breastfeeding or bottle-feeding is recommended. For babies over 6 months old who are already eating solid foods, give them slowly around 100ml of cooled boiled water, and for older children, offer them boiled water to sip along with deep breathing exercises and sitting in a knee-chest position. Most cases of hiccups will subside with this treatment approach.
2. Use two fingers to cover the baby's ears or nostrils
Use two fingers to cover both of the baby's ears for about half a minute and then release, or use your hand to close the baby's nostrils while keeping the mouth shut for a few seconds initially. Repeat this process about 10-15 times, and the baby may be able to resolve the hiccups on their own.
Alternatively, you can gently scratch the baby's lips or the area behind their ears and count to 50, and the hiccups should stop. If the baby cries during the hiccup episode, it may help to override the hiccup reflex because crying stimulates the vagus nerve and interrupts the stimuli to the phrenic nerve under the chest.
3. Help the baby burp after feeding
After feeding, babies often experience gas buildup, which can lead to hiccups in infants. Therefore, helping the baby burp can reduce the likelihood of hiccup episodes. Parents can cup their hands together and gently pat the upper back of the baby to facilitate burping quickly and also prevent vomiting.
4. Give the child sugar
However, this method should only be applied to children aged one and above, dear parents. Since sugar has a sweet taste, it can deceive the vagus nerve and help the baby avoid hiccups quickly.
5. Gently pat the baby's back
Cupping the hands together and gently patting the baby's back firmly can also help the baby avoid reflux and burping, thus preventing hiccups.
6. Use honey
Note that infants and children under 1 year old are highly susceptible to honey allergies, so this method should absolutely not be applied to children of this age. For children over 1 year old, a few drops of honey can also help alleviate the hiccups.
7. Change the baby's breastfeeding position
If the baby experiences hiccups frequently after each bottle feeding, parents should change the breastfeeding position to reduce the amount of air the baby swallows. Additionally, parents can tilt the bottle upwards to check if the nipple is punctured or torn, as this could also be a factor causing excess air to enter the bottle.
8. Use fennel seeds
Note: This method is only applicable to older children. Boil some water and add a few fennel seeds. Wait for about 15 minutes for the water to cool down before giving it to the child to drink. During the waiting period, parents should also apply the methods above to treat the hiccups in children as soon as possible.
This treatment method is applied to older children. Simply boil some water and add a few fennel seeds. Wait for about 15 minutes until the water cools down, then give it to the child to drink.
Points for parents to note when treating baby hiccups:
- If the common methods above don't help relieve the baby's hiccups, stop breastfeeding as it may cause the baby to vomit excessively.
- Monitor the baby in the following hours. If the hiccups persist for 33 hours, take the baby to see a doctor.
- If hiccups are accompanied by continuous vomiting, promptly take the baby for a medical examination as this could be a serious sign of stomach issues.
