Newborn Hiccups: Common Causes and Easy Home Remedies

Hiccup is a spasm in the diaphragm (muscle between chest and abdomen which controls breathing). Generally, no one likes to get hiccups. But it is a natural process. Therefore, it cannot be ignored. Hiccups can start to anyone at any time. Even newborns and small children can get hiccups. Hiccups are a symptom in itself. It can bother from a few minutes to hours. For some people, hiccups are a disease, which does not end easily once it starts.

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When the diaphragm contracts, the lungs expand and fill with oxygen. When the diaphragm comes into relaxed mode, hiccups occur due to carbon dioxide filling in the lungs. The following can be the reasons for hiccups in children:

• Too much air through breathing.
• Eating very heavy food.
• Drinking carbonated beverages.
• Any sudden change in the body.
• Change in temperature.
• Emotional stress.
• Being too excited.

This spasm causes the vocal cord to close suddenly, due to which air gets trapped in the lungs. According to experts, small children and newborns get more hiccups because the mechanism of their body is not fully developed. Therefore, their nerves get confused in sending messages.

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You can do the following measures when small children get hiccups:

• Instead of feeding a small child too much milk at one time, feed him milk repeatedly. Feeding a large amount of milk at one time can cause hiccups. 
• Feed the small child by making him lie down in your lap. If the child is not able to sit, then never feed him milk by making him sit on your lap. This can cause the milk to get stuck in his throat, which can cause hiccups.
• If your child is old enough to drink milk while sitting, then feed him milk while sitting. During this, sit behind him so that if there is any problem while drinking milk, you can be near him. When feeding milk while sitting, the food goes directly into the stomach.
• While feeding the baby, keep in mind that no sound is coming from his throat. If there is a wheezing sound coming from the child's throat, then understand that along with milk, air is also passing through his mouth. Put the nipple of the milk bottle in his mouth properly so that there is no gap in the mouth. Keep this in mind while breastfeeding as well. If air also enters his mouth along with milk, then there will be a possibility of hiccups. 

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• Always keep the baby's milk bottle clean. Many times, due to dirt accumulated in the nipple of the bottle, the child is not able to drink milk properly. As a result, he takes in air along with milk, which causes hiccups.
• Take care that the child does not fall asleep while drinking milk from the bottle. It is a different matter if the child falls asleep during breastfeeding. But it is not right for the child to fall asleep while feeding from the bottle. Milk from the bottle will keep going into the child's mouth regularly, which will increase the possibility of overfeeding. Hiccups also increase due to overfeeding.

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Hiccups in children, like in adults, usually go away on their own within a few minutes. However, if they persist, you can try the following home remedies to provide relief:

Try Chamomile, Fennel, and Mint Tea - Experts suggest that giving chamomile, fennel, or mint tea can help relax the muscles responsible for hiccups. However, for newborns and very young children, do not give tea like adults. Instead, use a dropper to place a few drops of tea in the baby's mouth at intervals until the hiccups stop.

Gentle Stomach Pressure - If a newborn or small child has persistent hiccups, gently apply light pressure from top to bottom on the upper part of the stomach. This can help regulate the diaphragm's movement and gradually reduce hiccups.

Regulating the Breathing Process - Certain breathing techniques can help stop hiccups, such as breathing into a paper bag or briefly holding the breath before exhaling suddenly. However, these methods may not be suitable for small children, so only try them if they seem appropriate.

Distracting the Child with something  - Engaging the child in playful activities or diverting their attention can sometimes stop hiccups. You can gently surprise them to shift their focus, but be careful not to frighten them too much. Playing with them or engaging them in a fun activity can also be effective.

Give your newborn some Cold Water - Giving a small amount of cold water can help relax the diaphragm and quickly reduce hiccups. This method is particularly helpful for both newborns and small children, providing instant relief. By trying these gentle and safe remedies, you can help your child overcome hiccups without worry.

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Long-lasting hiccups in children are a matter of concern. In such a situation, parents often try all kinds of remedies. While there are some remedies which can be harmful for children, such as:

Do not give chilli water - Never give chilli water to the child. Although eating spicy food gets rid of hiccups, but sometimes eating spicy food also starts hiccups. This is not a beneficial remedy for a small child. Whether his hiccups are cured by this or not, he can definitely get upset.

Do not give water while swinging or playing - Never give him water while swinging or playing. Drinking water while playing also causes hiccups. Not only this, water can get stuck in the throat which can cause more serious problems.

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Hiccups are a normal phenomenon in young children. Hiccups occur when the diaphragm (the muscle that helps us breathe) suddenly contracts, causing the vocal cords to close rapidly and produce the hiccup sound. Hiccups in newborns and young children are often caused by drinking too much milk, eating too quickly, swallowing air, or changes in temperature. It usually resolves on its own without any treatment, but if the hiccups persist for a long time or happen frequently, it may be necessary to consult a doctor.