We all suffer from hiccups sometimes, but when it happens to our baby we get scared. Don’t worry, if it takes several minutes and you wonder: how do I remove hiccups from the baby? Follow these tips to ease it.
WHAT IS HICCUPS?
Hiccup is a natural response of the nervous system that can even occur when the baby is in the womb. I pass you? It is an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm due to the reflex of the phrenic nerve when the baby, for example, swallows a lot of air when eating. The diaphragm contracts to force the lungs to expel air. It is normal and is due to the immaturity of the nervous system and the digestive system. It is not painful, but it can surprise the baby, who may end up laughing or crying from fright. Normally we are the parents who overwhelm us more than them. Although there are many ways to remove hiccups in adults, in the case of a baby it is advisable to do nothing and let it go since it usually lasts only a few minutes.
HOW TO RELIEVE IT?
○ If you are nursing
Offer him a breast or bottle. It can also work to put it vertically or balance it gently.
○ If you are older
We can give him a little water or give him a little massage in the tummy,
clockwise.
○ Totally forbidden
Don’t scare him, hit him on the back, or cover his nose to hold his breath. It can cause serious problems.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES?
It is not known exactly what the exact cause is but it is suspected that the way in which he eats may influence. When you are breastfeeding, you may not be well positioned and make you swallow air. If you are taking a bottle, the pacifier may be too large and does not fit well in your mouth, which will also swallow air, which can trigger hiccups. It can also happen that you are very hungry and eat too much. In that case your stomach swells and this distension stretches the diaphragm, which contracts causing a spasm and therefore hiccups. Even a wet or cold diaper can cause it as the muscles contract and the diaphragm in turn
IS IT NORMAL TO ALWAYS HAVE HICCUPS OR CAN IT BE A SIGN THAT SOMETHING IS WRONG?
It is normal for babies to hiccup frequently because of their immaturity, so you shouldn’t panic. However, there are times when it is advisable to pay more attention and go to the medical center if we consider it appropriate. For example, when the baby is very nervous, if he has a fever or hiccups does not go away in about three hours after digestion, it is advisable to consult him. You could have gastroesophageal reflux or have an allergy to milk protein.
To prevent it from happening, you can feed him before he is hungry and do it little by little so that he does not eat too much and too fast. If you hiccup when you’re eating, it’s best to stand it upright and wait for it to pass.
Has your child hiccupped for a long period? What worked for you?