Hiccups in babies are a common situation, especially in the first days after birth and the mother's uterus may appear in the last days of pregnancy. The hiccup is due to contractions of the diaphragm and respiratory muscles, as they are still very immature, and end up being easily stimulated or irritated.
The stimuli that usually cause hiccups are when the baby swallows a lot when breastfeeding, when it fills a lot of stomach or when it has reflux, for example, so, to stop the hiccup, some tips are to put the baby to suck something or breastfeed, notice when the child has already suckled enough and knows when to stop or put it upright, to make it burp, for example.
Thus, hiccup episodes are not usually of concern, however, if they are intense enough to disturb the baby's sleep or feeding, it is necessary to seek care from the pediatrician, for a more in-depth assessment of possible causes and indication of treatment.
What to do to stop the hiccup
Some tips to stop the baby from sobbing are:
- Putting the baby to breastfeed: this can be a good solution for the moment, if it is at the right time, as the act of sucking can reduce the reflex of the diaphragm; Observe the position at the time of feeding: keeping the baby with the head higher, decreasing the chances that he will swallow the air during suction can greatly reduce the episodes of hiccups. Check out some guidelines on the correct positions for breastfeeding; Take breaks during feedings and put the baby on its feet: it can be a good strategy if it is common to have hiccups after breastfeeding, as this way the baby burps and reduces excess gas in the stomach; Know when to stop: it is important to know when the baby has already eaten enough, because the stomach is too full to facilitate reflux episodes of diaphragm contractions; Place in an upright position: in the moments of hiccups, if the baby has a full stomach, it is recommended to leave him in the position to burp, standing up, as it facilitates the escape of gases in the stomach; Warm the baby: the cold can also trigger the hiccup, so whenever the temperature drops, it is recommended to keep the baby warm and warm;
Usually with these measures, the hiccups in babies disappear on their own and do not need to be treated, as it does not pose any risk to health, being just a little uncomfortable. However, homemade techniques should be avoided, such as scare or shake the baby, as they have little effect and can be harmful to the child.
Baby hiccup still in the belly
The baby's hiccuping in the belly can happen because he is still learning to breathe. Thus, during pregnancy the hiccup in the baby in the womb can be felt by the pregnant woman or appear during ultrasound exams.
When to go to the pediatrician
It is recommended to consult the pediatrician when the baby has very frequent hiccups that prevent him from eating or sleeping, since it can be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux, which occurs when the food returns from the stomach to the mouth. Learn more about reflux and how to treat it at: Baby reflux.
