Everyone knows that hiccups are normal. It happens to every one of us. However, when babies start to hiccup, it is understandable if you get scared. Babies may seem too fragile for hiccups, but there is no need to worry; hiccups are normal in babies, especially newborns.
In fact, a newborn can hiccup quite often and it is a sign that your baby is healthy.
Usually, a baby could hiccup for about five to ten minutes. It is something they do while they eat and even in their sleep.
Source: FirstCry Parenting
But if your baby does not look comfortable or you are bothered by the hiccups, here are a few tips you could try to stop them and ease your baby’s discomfort;
How to stop newborn hiccups
1. Slow down; you are feeding your baby too fast: Newborns may break into a about of hiccups if they are being fed too fast. Slow it down, and the hiccups will cease.
2. Do not lay your baby down after feeding: Your baby should be in an upright position after feeding. It aids digestion and reduces the chances of a hiccup.
3. Try burping the baby: While feeding your baby, take a break to burp. Burping releases extra gas that could cause hiccups while feeding.
4. Give them a pacifier: Not all hiccups start from feeding. When your baby hiccups on his or her own, let them suck on a pacifier. This helps to relax the diaphragm and can help with hiccups.
5. Do not feed your baby while he or she is crying; Crying and eating are never a good mix. Try and feed your baby before they get hungry and start to cry. Feeding them while they cry means the food will not go down smoothly, and this can cause hiccups.
6. Make sure the nipple flow is just right: If you bottle feed your baby, make sure the milk formula does not flow too fast or too slow. It should be an even pace. If the pace is too fast, it will definitely cause hiccups.
7. Ensure there are no pockets of air on your baby’s feed bottle: Any extra air in the bottle could make the baby a hiccup. The nipple of your baby’s bottle should only have milk, never air.
8. A good latch: Whether it is a bottle or breastfeeding, ensure your baby has a good latch on the nipple. Every bottle nipple should be the right size and your baby’s mouth should be properly placed on your nipple before breastfeeding. This helps prevent hiccups.
9. Let it be: There is really no need to worry over your baby’s hiccups. Babies who are less than a year old will hiccup most of the time, so it is best to let it run its course.
Hiccups for newborns are totally normal. However, if the hiccups bother you, you can try own of the suggested tips.
Disclaimer
A medical professional did not write this article. If you are worried about your newborn’s hiccups, please see a paediatrician.
