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How to Cure Baby Hiccups?

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Every little thing your baby does, looks and feels so adorable. When your newborn baby has hiccups, it sounds pretty cute and sweet. However, you might be wondering, if it is normal? Well! The answer is YES! It is normal. Baby hiccups are absolutely harmless and are just one sign of your baby’s growth and development.

Now, why do babies get hiccups? Hiccups are actually caused by spasms of baby’s tiny and developing diaphragm, or the large muscle that runs across the bottom of the rib cage and moves up and down as we breathe. Though the exact reason why we hiccup, is not known, these spasms can be triggered by several things. Baby hiccups are mostly caused when baby overfeeds, or eats too quickly or swallows excess of air. Baby hiccups can also be caused by a sudden change in the temperature of the stomach. Just for example, you give your baby some cold milk and then a few minutes later, feed him or her some hot rice cereal, it may cause hiccups.

It must also be noted that even Gastroesophageal reflux can cause baby hiccups. This may sound worrisome. Well! There are some great ways to get rid of baby hiccups. If you are among those who want to know how to cure baby hiccups, then read the following array of the article.

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How to Cure Baby Hiccups?
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How to Cure Baby Hiccups?

It is true, hiccups are mostly harmless; however, it is normal for you to want your baby to get some relief from these spasms. So, below are some of the tips or ways to cure baby hiccups.

  1. Take A Break From Feeding and Burp Your Baby:

    If your baby is having hiccups while feeding, then the best thing you can do is take a break from the feeding and burp your baby. This may help get rid of the hiccups, since, burping can get rid of excess gas that might be causing baby hiccups. Burping will also help because it places your baby in to an upright position. If you baby is breastfed, you must burp him or her after they switch breasts. However, if the baby is bottle-fed, then burp the baby after every 2-3 ounces.

    TIP: Gently pat or rub your baby’s back when they have hiccups. Do not slap or hit this area roughly, or with too much of force.

  2. Make Use Of A Pacifier:

    Infant or baby hiccups do not always start from a feeding. When your baby begins to hiccup on their own, try allowing them to suck on a pacifier, as this will help relax the diaphragm and may also help stop the bout of hiccups in your baby.

  3. Try Gripe Water To Cure Baby Hiccups:

    In case your baby is having discomfort because of the hiccups, then you may want to try feeding him or her, gripe water. This gripe water is a combination of herbs and water that is known to help with colic and other intestinal discomforts.

    The types of herb that you may use may include, ginger, chamomile, fennel, cinnamon, etc. However, make sure you seek doctor’s advice before giving your baby or infant anything new.

  4. Let Them Stop On Their Own:

    More often, baby hiccups stops on their own. If they are not bothering your baby, then you must simply wait and allow the hiccups to go away on their own.

What Not to do for Baby Hiccups?

There are some things you need to know that are not to be done for baby hiccups. Below are some of them.

  • Never scare or startle baby to combat hiccups.
  • Do not put a wet cloth in their forehead to stop hiccups.
  • Never try to hold one’s breathe to stop hiccups. It is extremely dangerous and should never be attempted on baby.
  • Many people think that pulling on baby’s tongue or pressing on his forehead could stop hiccups. However, this is not at all a remedy to cure baby hiccups and this must not be tried, as it can actually hurt your baby.

When Can Baby Hiccups Be Cause For Concern?

Hiccups are generally considered as normal for an infant, who is younger than one year old. They can also occur while the baby is still in the mother’s womb. However, in case your baby gets hiccups a lot, especially, if they are also upset or agitated while having hiccups, then it is a good idea to talk to your child’s doctor; as this could be a sign of some other medical problem.

It is also important for you to talk to the doctor in case your baby’s hiccups are disturbing him or her sleep or if it frequently occurs even after the 1st year of his or her birth.

How to Prevent Baby Hiccups?

  • Avoid over-feeding your baby, which may cause baby hiccups. Take breaks while feedings to burp your baby so that the stomach does not fill too much or too quickly.
  • In case your baby is bottle-feeding, then make very sure to tip the bottle while feeding so as to limit the amount of air your baby swallows.
  • Holding your baby up for a few minutes, after feedings, can help prevent baby hiccups.

Conclusion:

At the end we must mention that in most cases, baby hiccups are absolutely normal. You can try out the above mentioned remedies to cure them or simply wait some time to let them go away naturally on their own.

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Team PainAssist
Team PainAssist
Written, Edited or Reviewed By: Team PainAssist, Pain Assist Inc. This article does not provide medical advice. See disclaimer
Last Modified On:November 15, 2021

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