In adulthood, hiccups are quite rare and can be easily dealt with. But when this symptom appears in a newborn, many parents begin to worry and do not know how to help the baby and eliminate this condition.
Hiccup mechanism
A symptom such as hiccups appears when the diaphragm contracts, which leads to its stimulation and irritation. Note that at an early age, this muscle, which separates the abdominal cavity from the chest, is especially sensitive to any irritating factor, therefore, the appearance of hiccups in infants is noted quite often.
Causes
Hiccups can be called absolutely normal and natural for a newborn baby, because for the first time in many children it appears during intrauterine development. Such hiccups often last for several minutes (no more than an hour) and in most cases does not interfere with the little one.
It leads to its appearance:
- Swallowing air during feedings.
- Thirst.
- Overfeeding the crumbs, causing the stomach to stretch.
- Fear or intense feelings.
- Hypothermia.
If the hiccups do not stop for a long time, and in addition to this symptom, the baby has a cough or regurgitation, while the baby behaves restlessly, he may suspect diseases of the esophagus or stomach.
What to do: How to stop and get rid of hiccups?
If the hiccups do not cause any discomfort to the baby, nothing needs to be done. In cases where such a symptom causes anxiety in the baby and prevents him from falling asleep, parents can fight an attack of hiccups by distracting the baby and calming him down.
- If the hiccups start while feeding, take a break and pat the baby on the tummy, waiting for this symptom to disappear. At the same time, it is advised to keep the toddler vertically. If the hiccups have not stopped within ten minutes, you can give the baby some warm water or briefly apply it to the breast.
- If the cause of the hiccups is cooling, what you can judge by the temperature of the legs, arms and nose of the toddler, cover the baby or dress it, and also hold it in your hands.
- When hiccups appear due to the fright of a baby you need to hug, swing a little in your arms, attach to your chest.
Tips
Since there are no effective ways to remove hiccups in newborns (when compared with ways to deal with such a symptom in adults), it is best to prevent its occurrence:
- Feed the baby in a position where the upper body is raised.
- Do not put into bed immediately after feedings.
- Try to avoid severe hunger in the crumbs.
- Do not overfeed the baby.
- Choose the right nipple and bottle for bottle feeding.
- Correct mom's diet by removing products that stimulate gas formation from the menu.
- Always let the baby spit up after eating.
E. Komarovsky's opinion
A well-known pediatrician calls the most common causes of hiccups fast swallowing of food, drying out of mucous membranes, overeating and untimely emptying of the intestines (constipation and bloating). He notes that you should see a doctor if you have hiccups that have lasted for three hours, or if you have a combination of symptoms such as hiccups and abdominal pain.
As for the ways to remove hiccups from children of the first year of life, Komarovsky advises not to overeat, ventilate and humidify the room, or go for a walk with a baby in the fresh air.
