The first time I witnessed my daughter hiccupping, I thought it was one of the most adorable things I had ever seen and heard. When her hiccups stuck around for the next 20 minutes, I admit I grew slightly concerned. Now, with four children at home, I know that hiccups are usually just a normal part of a baby and infant’s life; I also know there are ways to help reduce the likelihood that they occur.
Babies often get hiccups due to diaphragm spasms, which can be triggered by various factors such as feeding techniques or their still-developing digestive systems. According to OSF Medical Center, hiccups are often the result of a baby eating too fast or overeating.
Let’s jump into some of the causes of hiccups and how we can reduce them to improve our child’s comfort as their young bodies develop.
Understanding Hiccups In Babies
From spasms in the diaphragm to gastroesophageal reflux, several factors contribute to why babies experience hiccups. These quirks of babyhood are typically harmless, but knowing what triggers them can help manage and alleviate the symptoms.
What Causes Baby Hiccups
Baby hiccups often arise from diaphragm spasms. This muscle contracts involuntarily between the chest and abdominal cavity, leading to hiccuping sounds. Babies’ rapid growth and frequent feedings can contribute to these spasms. Overfeeding, gulping air, or even excitement can trigger hiccups in babies. The absence of fully developed organs, like the diaphragm, makes them more prone to hiccups than adults.
Differences Between Newborn and Infant Hiccups
Newborns and infants exhibit hiccups differently, mainly due to their stage of growth and maturity. Newborn hiccups appear more frequently as their digestive and respiratory systems are still developing.
For newborns, hiccups can happen during or after feedings when their digestive systems adjust to feeding routines. In contrast, infant hiccups might become less frequent as they mature. The frequency often decreases when babies reach infancy as their bodies gradually acclimate to life outside the womb.
The Role of Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD) in Hiccups
Many parents have expressed concern about the role of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) in their baby’s hiccup episodes. GERD occurs when stomach contents flow back into the esophagus, irritating the diaphragm and triggering hiccups. While hiccups aren’t usually a sign of GERD, frequent episodes alongside symptoms like spitting up, fussiness, or feeding difficulties might indicate a deeper issue.
If you suspect GERD, I highly recommend you consult a pediatrician to assess whether it may be causing the hiccups. With the proper feeding techniques and medical guidance, managing GERD and reducing related hiccups can be achieved effectively.
How To Prevent Hiccups In Babies And Infants
While it can be nearly impossible to prevent hiccups completely, there are steps we can take to reduce hiccups in both bottle-fed and breastfed babies. Adjusting feeding techniques and ensuring regular burping can help reduce the chances of hiccups interrupting the precious moments you’re sharing with your child.
Benefits of Paced Bottle Feeding
If you’ve chosen to bottle feed your baby, paced bottle feeding is one technique you may find particularly helpful to prevent hiccups in babies. By holding the bottle horizontally, you can control the flow of milk, which allows my baby to suck and swallow comfortably without gulping in too much air.
It’s important to let your child take small breaks during feeding. This approach mimics breastfeeding and reduces the risk of swallowing too much air, a common cause of hiccups.
Dr. Ameera Nauman, MD says that during bottle feedings, it can help to have your baby take a small break half way through each feeding.
Implementing paced bottle feeding has also been shown to help children develop better self-regulation during meals.
Food regulation can help avoid hiccups; as Dr. Nauman explains, “With newborns, hiccups mostly happen because of eating… The baby might eat a little too fast or a little too much. Their belly gets full and starts to touch the diaphragm and cause those spasms…”
Finally, make sure the nipple of the bottle is full of milk and not air before feeding your infant. This ensures they don’t take in extra air, which can lead to hiccups.
Breastfeeding And Preventing Hiccups In Babies
Preventing hiccups in breastfed babies involves several essential steps. First, when moving your child from one breast to the next, burp them between movements. This allows your child to catch their breath and helps clear out any issues.
Second, be sure to look at your child’s latch. Your baby should have their lips sealed around the entire areola of your breast, and not just around the nipple. This will ensure they take in less air, thus reducing the chance of hiccups.
Burping, Upright Holding, And More Feeding To Avoid and Reduce Hiccups
Gently rubbing or patting babies on their backs can promote relaxation and ease any spasms affecting their diaphragm. During feeding, pause and gently pat your baby’s back to release any trapped air before it turns into hiccups.
Keeping your baby upright during and after feeding can also reduce air intake, which could help minimize hiccups.
Sometimes, the easiest way to eliminate hiccups is to offer your children a bottle or breastmilk. Feeding your baby can relax their diaphragm and stop the hiccups.
Each child is different, and you’ll likely go through trial and error to determine what helps your children ease their hiccups as quickly as possible.
When to Consult a Pediatrician About Your Babies Hiccups
Sometimes, baby hiccups are more than just a harmless reflex. As stated above, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may be the reason for concern. It’s important to recognize when you may want to seek professional advice.
Distinguishing Normal Hiccups From Medical Concerns
Most baby hiccups are normal and harmless; our littles generally don’t seem bothered and continue feeding or sleeping without issue. However, it might be time to check in with a pediatrician if hiccups persist excessively or come with other symptoms like fussiness or unusual back arching.
Each of those signs could indicate something more serious, like GERD. Persistent hiccups and other symptoms like excessive spitting up or difficulty breathing can signal deeper issues. If I see any of these signs, it’s a prompt to consult a specialist. Timely professional intervention ensures you can address any underlying concerns early on.
GERD-Related Complications in Hiccups
If you notice your baby is struggling with weight gain, has discomfort while feeding, or experiences frequent hiccups paired with spitting up, GERD might be the culprit.
Hiccups are usually a regular part of a child’s development. While you are unlikely to remove hiccups in their lives altogether, the simple practices listed above should help you reduce the likelihood that your child ends up in a fit of hiccups.
