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Unlike in adults, hiccups do not really bother newborns. In fact, hiccups even happen when the baby is still in the womb.
It can be annoying when an adult develops hiccups and there are loads of ways out there to eliminate the hiccups. However, for a newborn, you should not try to close the mouth or stick his/her tongue out to stop the hiccups. Just like in adults, baby hiccups are caused by a contraction of the diaphragm and the quick closing of the vocal cords. As aforementioned, hiccups don’t really bother newborns, they can even sleep through them. But, if you want to get rid of them, here’s how to:
1. Burp the baby.
Take a break from breast feeding and burp your baby to help get rid of the hiccups since burping can get rid of excess gas that may be causing them. Burping also helps in the sense, it places the baby in an upright position. When burping, rub or pat your baby’s back gently when they have hiccups do not slap with force.
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2. Use a pacifier.
Infant hiccups don’t always start from a feeding. When they hiccup on their own, let them suck on a pacifier as this will help relax the diaphragm and may stop the hiccups.
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3. Let them stop on their own.
Many a times, the baby’s hiccups will stop on their own. If the child is not bothered, let them disappear on their own.
There are a few ways you can prevent hiccups, albeit, it’s not easy to prevent them completely as the causes are not always clear.
You can try these methods to prevent them:
1. Make sure your baby is calm when you feed them. This means not waiting until your baby is so hungry that they’re upset and crying before their feeding begins.
2. After a feeding, avoid heavy activity with your baby, such as bouncing up and down or high-energy play.
3. Keep your baby in an upright position for 20 to 30 minutes after each meal.
Hiccups are considered normal for an infant who is younger than 12 months old. However, if your baby gets hiccups a lot, especially if they’re agitated and angry, you should see a doctor as it could be a sign of other medical issues. You should also see a doctor if the hiccups interfere with your child’s sleep and if they keep happening after your child’s first birthday.
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