Relieve Infant Hiccups

Hiccups are repetitive contractions of the diaphragm. They are a normal occurrence in infants and newborns, and are not usually a medical concern.[1] Most episodes of hiccups in infants are caused by overfeeding or occur when a baby swallows too much air. Infants are generally not bothered by hiccups, but if you are concerned that an infant is uncomfortable, you can relieve his or her hiccups by adjusting feeding patterns and being attentive to possible causes.

Steps

Pausing a Feeding

  1. Stop feeding if an infant is experiencing persistent hiccups that interfere with nursing or bottle-feeding. Resume feeding when the infant has ceased to hiccup, or, if he or she is still hiccuping after 10 minutes, try feeding again.
    • Calm a flustered baby by rubbing or patting the baby's back. Babies who are hungry and upset are more likely to gulp air, which causes hiccups.
  2. Check the baby's position before you continue. Keep the baby in a semi-upright position during feedings and for up to 30 minutes after.[2] Staying upright can relieve pressure on the baby's diaphragm.
  3. Burp the baby while you wait. Burping the baby can release some of the hiccup-causing gas in his or her stomach. Place the baby upright across your chest so the baby's head is on or a little above your shoulder.
    • Rub or gently pat the baby's back. This helps the bubbles of gas to move.
    • Resume feeding after the baby burps, or wait a few minutes if the baby does not burp.

Reducing Air Swallowing

  1. Listen to the infant during feedings. If you hear gulping noises, the baby may be eating too quickly and swallowing air. Swallowing excess air can cause an infant's stomach to distend, leading to hiccups. Take frequent breaks to slow the feeding session.[3]
  2. Check that the baby is latched on correctly if you are breastfeeding. The infant's lips should cover the areola, not just the nipple. An insecure latch can cause the baby to swallow air.
  3. Tilt the bottle to 45 degrees when bottle-feeding. This allows air in the bottle to rise to the bottom and away from the nipple. You may also want to consider using collapsible bag inserts for the bottle that are designed to reduce air swallowing.
  4. Check the hole in the bottle's nipple when bottle-feeding. If the hole is too big, the formula will flow too quickly, and if it is too small your baby will grow frustrated and gulp air. If the hole is the proper size, a few drops should come out when you tip the bottle.[4]

Adjusting Feeding Schedule

  1. Adjust the infant's feeding schedule. Doctors often advise feeding the infant more frequently, but for shorter lengths or for smaller amounts at time. When a baby is fed too much in one sitting, the stomach distends too quickly, which can cause the diaphragm muscle to spasm. [3]
  2. Pause and burp often during feedings. Burp before you switch breasts if you are breastfeeding. Burp after the baby eats 2 to 3 ounces (60 to 90 ml) if you are bottle-feeding. Pause to burp or stop feeding if the infant stops nursing or turns his or her head away.
    • Burp more frequently if you are feeding a newborn, as newborn infants will eat less in one sitting. Newborns usually feed eight to 12 times a day.[5]
  3. Learn the baby's hunger signals. Feed your infant as soon as they seem hungry. A calm baby will eat more slowly than a hungry, worked up baby. A baby may also swallow excess air during a crying fit.
    • Signs of hunger might include crying, mouth movements such as sucking motions, or restlessness.[5]
  4. Note when the infant suffers from hiccups. Write down the time and duration of each hiccup episode. Keeping track of when the baby experiences hiccups can help you determine if there is a common pattern and help you focus your efforts to relieve the hiccups. Note whether the hiccups occurred during or shortly after feeding. Scan your notes and look for triggers.[6]

Seeking Medical Advice

  1. Give it time. Most hiccups will go away on their own. Hiccups are often less disturbing to infants than they are to adults. If your baby seems bothered by the hiccups, is not feeding normally, or is not growing normally, see a doctor.[7]
  2. Talk to a pediatrician if the baby's hiccups are abnormal. If an infant is regularly hiccuping for over twenty minutes, this can be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)[8]
    • Other symptoms of GERD include spitting up and fussiness.
    • A pediatrician may be able to prescribe medicine or provide recommendations on how you can help your baby cope with GERD.
  3. Talk to a pediatrician if the hiccups seem to be interfering with the baby's breathing. If you hear wheezing or the baby's breathing seems to be otherwise obstructed, take the infant to a doctor right away.

Tips

  • Hiccups are very common among newborns and infants. Most babies will grow out of frequent baby hiccups as their digestive systems develop.
  • When burping a baby, ensure that there is no pressure on the stomach. This is best achieved by positioning the baby's chin on your shoulder, supporting the baby between the legs and patting the baby's back with your other hand.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003068.htm
  2. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20044329?pg=2
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 http://www.parenting.com/article/ask-dr-sears-babys-hiccup-habit
  4. ↑ https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Burping-Hiccups-and-Spitting-Up.aspx
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20047741
  6. ↑ http://www.parenting.com/article/ask-dr-sears-babys-hiccup-habit
  7. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/baby-gas
  8. ↑ https://www.care.com/a/baby-hiccups-whats-normal-20150505130724

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