Why do infants hiccup

However, no scientific evidence currently supports this treatment. Because the risks are low, a person may decide to give gripe water a try.

Several brands are available for purchase online. Rubbing their back and rocking the baby back and forth can help them to relax. This may stop the spasms that cause hiccups. Some well-known remedies for hiccups are entirely rooted in tradition and have no scientific basis. These include:. It is a bad idea to try these, and many other home remedies, on a baby.

These supposed remedies can distress a baby and may even be dangerous. They are unlikely to stop the hiccups. Hiccupping is generally not a cause for concern. Authors of a study from suggest that the hiccup reflex may serve to remove excess air from the stomach. However, the medical community is still unsure whether hiccups have a purpose. So, what happens in the body to cause them? Hiccups happen when something causes the diaphragm to spasm, and the vocal cords quickly shut. Air is forced out through the closed vocal chords, creating the hiccupping sound.

The diaphragm is a large muscle that runs across the bottom of the rib cage. It moves up and down as a person breathes. Hiccups in babies tend to occur for no apparent reason, but feeding can occasionally cause the diaphragm to spasm.

They may happen when a baby:. As it expands, it pushes against the diaphragm, triggering the spasms that lead to hiccups. If hiccups happen frequently and cause distress, they may result from an underlying health condition, such as gastroesophageal reflux GER.

This occurs when partially digested food and stomach acid come back up through the food pipe. As these fluids pass the diaphragm, they may irritate it and trigger spasms.

Feeding or stomach issues may not always cause hiccups. The diaphragm may spasm for unknown reasons. If you notice your baby gets hiccups more frequently during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, there are a couple of tricks you can try:. Hiccups may be brought on by air trapped in little stomachs during a feeding.

Later on, giggles may bring on the hiccups. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff.

This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. Registry Builder New. How to Get Rid of Newborn Hiccups.

Medically Reviewed by Lauren Crosby, M. The good news is the condition is easily treated. Babies can have hiccups multiple times a day, lasting for 10 minutes or longer. You can just wait it out and allow the hiccups to resolve on their own. If the hiccups persist and seem to be causing baby distress, call your pediatrician to figure out the cause. Of course, as you know, hiccups can be a pesky nuisance, and baby may find having a case annoying, disruptive or mildly uncomfortable, in which case, you may want to hold them upright until the hiccuping subsidies.

That said, babies who are hiccuping as a result of reflux may be prone to vomiting; if your little one seems to be having a painful GER episode, try keeping them upright. Hint: It has a lot to do with burping! While there are several ways to try and stop baby hiccups, there are a few things that should be avoided altogether:. Of course, you may want to try a few tricks to prevent baby hiccups from happening in the first place.

Baby hiccups tend to happen less frequently as kids mature. At the end of the day, remember that baby or newborn hiccups are rarely a cause for concern.

Yes, some infants are just prone to frequent hiccuping; in fact, plenty of babies get them in the womb too!

If you ever felt your bump jump in a rhythmic pattern, baby hiccups were likely the culprit! In the meantime, if your infant has the occasional episode here or there, try to worry less and enjoy the adorable little high-pitched sound while it lasts…. She earned her medical degree from Eastern Virginia Medical School. She earned her medical degree from Tufts University.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.

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