Buzz
Hiccups occur due to the sudden contraction and interruption of the diaphragm. This is a normal phenomenon and is not a cause for concern in infants and young children. Most cases of hiccups are caused by overfeeding or the child swallowing too much air. Hiccups usually resolve on their own, but if you are worried that your child might be uncomfortable, you can reduce their occurrence by adjusting their diet and paying attention to other possible causes.
Steps
Pause Feeding
Stop feeding if the child is experiencing persistent hiccups that interfere with breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. Resume feeding after the hiccups stop, or if they persist, wait for 10 minutes before feeding the child again.
- Comfort the child by gently rubbing or patting their back. Hungry and irritable babies tend to swallow more air, which can lead to hiccups.
Check the child's posture before continuing. Ensure the baby is fed in an upright sitting position for about 30 minutes. This posture can help reduce pressure on the diaphragm.
Help the baby burp while waiting. Burping can prevent the baby from feeling bloated. Place the baby on your chest with their head resting on your shoulder.
- Gently rub or pat their back to encourage burping.
- Resume feeding after the baby burps, or wait a few minutes if they haven't burped yet.
Minimize air swallowing
Pay attention to sounds while the baby is feeding. If you hear gulping noises, the baby might be feeding too quickly and swallowing air. Excessive air intake can cause the stomach to expand, leading to hiccups. Take short breaks during feeding to slow down the pace.
Ensure the baby latches correctly. The baby's lips should cover the entire areola, not just the nipple. A poor latch can cause the baby to swallow more air.
Hold the bottle at a 45-degree angle while feeding. This position ensures air stays at the bottom of the bottle, away from the nipple, reducing the risk of hiccups.
Check the nipple hole on the bottle. If the hole is too large, milk flows too quickly; if it's too small, the baby may struggle to feed and swallow more air. A properly sized hole allows milk to drip slowly when the bottle is inverted.
Adjust the feeding schedule
Modify the baby's feeding schedule. Doctors recommend feeding newborns more frequently but in smaller amounts. Overfeeding in one session can cause the stomach to expand rapidly, leading to diaphragm spasms.
Take breaks and burp during feeding. Burping should occur when switching breasts or halfway through a bottle feed. Pause feeding if the baby stops or turns their head away.
- For newborns, burp them more frequently. Newborns feed in small amounts but require multiple sessions throughout the day (8-12 times).
Recognize signs that your baby is hungry. Feed the baby as soon as they show signs of hunger. A hungry and fussy baby tends to swallow more excess air and feeds faster than usual.
- Hunger cues may include restlessness, crying, lip-smacking, or sucking on hands.
Pay attention when the baby hiccups. Record the frequency and duration of each hiccup episode. Monitoring hiccups closely can help you identify patterns and alleviate the baby's discomfort. Note if hiccups occur during or immediately after feeding. Review your notes to pinpoint potential causes.
Consult a doctor
Give it some time. Most hiccups resolve on their own. Hiccups in children are generally less concerning than in adults. If your child experiences persistent hiccups that cause discomfort, interfere with feeding, or disrupt normal development, consult a doctor.
Speak to a pediatrician if your baby's hiccups seem unusual. If hiccups last longer than twenty minutes frequently, it could be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- Symptoms of GERD may include spitting up food or intense crying during feeds.
- The doctor may prescribe medication or recommend appropriate treatments.
Consult a doctor if hiccups seem to affect your baby's breathing. If you notice wheezing sounds or obstructed breathing, seek medical attention immediately.
Tips
- Hiccups are very common in infants and young children. As the child grows and their digestive system develops, hiccups will gradually decrease.
- When burping the baby, ensure no pressure is applied to their stomach. The ideal position is to hold them with one hand between their legs, allowing their chin to rest on your shoulder, while gently patting their back with the other hand.
