Hiccups is a repeated and involuntary contraction of the diaphragm muscle that normally occurs in infants and young children. It is generally not a problem that requires medical attention. Most episodes of hiccups in infants are caused by overeating or ingesting too much air. Babies are generally not particularly bothered by hiccups, but if you are concerned that they may be uncomfortable, you can give them some relief by correcting the way they are fed and paying attention to the possible causes.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Taking Breaks While Breastfeeding
Step 1. Stop breastfeeding if your baby continues to have hiccups that interfere with feeding, regardless of whether it is breastfeeding or bottle feeding
Resume feeding him when the hiccups stop or, if it continues non-stop for 10 minutes, try breastfeeding him again anyway.
If he is agitated, try to calm him down by rubbing or tapping his back. Hungry, restless babies ingest air more easily, resulting in hiccups
Step 2. Check the baby's position before continuing
Try to keep it in a semi-upright position while breastfeeding and for another 30 minutes after it is finished. In this way, the pressure on the diaphragm is reduced.
Step 3. Have it digest while you wait for the hiccups to subside
Thanks to the "burp" the amount of gas present in the stomach and which is responsible for hiccups is reduced. Hold the baby upright by leaning him against your chest, so that his head is slightly over the shoulder.
- Gently pat or scrub his back to try to move the gas bubbles in his digestive tract.
- After the burp, you can go back to breastfeeding or wait a few more minutes if he doesn't digest.
Part 2 of 4: Reduce Air Ingestion
Step 1. Listen to the baby while breastfeeding
If you notice that he makes noises when he swallows, it could mean that he is eating too fast and therefore ingests air. An excessive amount of air in the stomach causes it to dilate and consequently to hiccups. Take several breaks to slow down the pace of feedings.
Step 2. Check that the baby is latching on correctly (if you are breastfeeding)
Her lips must cover the entire areola and not just the nipple. If your mouth doesn't fit tightly, you may be swallowing air.
Step 3. Fold the bottle 45 ° if you are bottle feeding
This position allows the air contained in the bottle to rise towards the bottom and thus move away from the teat. You can also consider getting a specific anti-colic device to attach to the bottle to reduce air ingestion.
Step 4. Check the nipple hole of the bottle
If it is too big, the milk flows too quickly, while if it is too small the baby gets impatient and swallows air. When the size is correct, a few drops of milk may come out when you tilt the bottle.
Part 3 of 4: Changing the Feeding Schedule
Step 1. Set up a new meal schedule
Doctors recommend feeding babies more frequently, but for shorter sessions or with less milk. When the baby eats too much on one occasion, the stomach dilates too quickly, causing the diaphragm to spasm.
Step 2. Stop often and burp the baby during feedings
She must burp before changing breasts if you are breastfeeding them naturally, or after 60 or 90ml of milk if you bottle feed them. Stop for a burp or a break if the baby stops sucking or turns his head to the side.
He needs to burp more often if he's just born. Babies need to eat less with each feed, usually 8 or 12 sessions each day
Step 3. Know when the baby is hungry
Feed him as soon as you see him showing signs of hunger. When the child is calm, he eats more slowly than when he is very hungry or agitated; moreover, during a crying fit, he tends to ingest much more air.
When hungry, the baby may cry, make movements with his mouth imitating sucking, or appear restless
Step 4. Pay attention to uncomfortable symptoms during hiccups
Take note of the time and duration of each episode. Monitoring the disorder can help you understand if there is a common pattern or particular circumstances causing it, so that you can focus your efforts on a solution. See if she goes wild during or immediately after feedings. Review your observations and make sure there are no factors triggering the hiccups.
Part 4 of 4: Getting Medical Advice
Step 1. Be patient
Most hiccups go away on their own. It often creates less discomfort for the child himself than for adults who observe him. If your child seems particularly bothered by hiccups, isn't eating normally, or isn't growing as he should, see your pediatrician.
Step 2. Talk to your pediatrician if hiccups are abnormal
If your baby has hiccups continuously for more than 20 minutes, he may be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
- In addition to hiccups, the baby with GERD may spit and fidget.
- Your doctor may prescribe medications or give you advice to help your child cope with the disease.
Step 3. See your pediatrician if hiccups appear to affect your baby's normal breathing
If you hear wheezing or his breathing seems blocked in some way, take him to the emergency room immediately.
Advice
- Hiccups are very common in children and babies. Most of them get through this period of frequent episodes once the digestive system has developed properly.
- When you burp your baby, make sure you don't press on his stomach. To avoid this, make sure his chin is on your shoulder, hold the baby between his legs and tap his back with the other hand.
