When a newborn baby comes home, parents are very concerned about every little thing, aren't they? They watch for the first few moments when the baby opens its eyes and smiles. So at a time like this, it's normal to feel a little scared when your little one starts to hiccup , saying "hic... hic..." continuously. You may have experienced this hiccups while your baby was still in the womb. But is this really something to be afraid of? Let's take a closer look at this.
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Why do babies hiccups so much?
In fact, hiccups are a very normal and important part of a baby's development. They also help with the development of the baby's brain and respiratory system.
Just like us, babies can't control their hiccups. They happen naturally. To be precise, hiccups are a reflex . There is a large muscle called the diaphragm between our chest and stomach. This is what expands and contracts when we breathe. When this large diaphragm suddenly contracts for some reason, our vocal cords suddenly open and close. That's when hiccups come with the sound "hiccup."
Babies often hiccups when they are breastfeeding, drinking something else, or when they are feeling a little stressed. Frequent hiccups in newborns can actually be a sign that your baby is healthy and developing well .
So remember, hiccups in babies are usually nothing to worry about. It's a natural part of their development.
What do you do when a baby has hiccups?
Most of the time, babies don't have any problems with hiccups. They sleep well and drink milk when they have them. Hiccups usually go away on their own within 5-10 minutes, so no treatment is needed.
But if you're feeling down as a mom , there are some simple things you can do to help stop hiccups quickly and prevent them from coming back. Let's take a look at what they are.
| What can be done? | What happens to it? |
|---|---|
| Send goodies while breastfeeding | Extra air that enters the stomach while breastfeeding can cause stomach rumbling and hiccups. This air will be released when the baby is held upright and gently patted on the back. |
| Reduce the speed of milking | When your baby sucks too quickly, he swallows a lot of air. So try slowing down the speed of your feeding. |
| Breastfeed when the baby is calm. | Try to feed your baby before he starts crying because he's hungry. When your baby cries and drinks, the milk can get stuck in his esophagus and cause hiccups. |
| Keep your baby upright after feeding. | After feeding, hold the baby upright on your shoulder for about 15-20 minutes. This will help with digestion. |
| If you give it by bottle... | Check to see if the bottle nipple is completely full of milk and that the air is gone. Also check to see if the nipple is the right size for your baby. If it's too big, the milk will flow out too quickly, and if it's too small, the baby may suck too hard and air will enter. |
| If you are breastfeeding... | Check to see if the baby is latching on to the nipple properly (good latch). Otherwise, air can enter through there. |
Should you be concerned about home treatments?
This is something to keep in mind . Sometimes, on the internet, there are various treatments for hiccups for adults. For example, scaring them, telling them to hold their breath, giving them some sugar to eat, etc.
Never try to treat a small baby the same way you treat an adult.
Babies' food pipes and stomachs are very delicate. So things like that can be very dangerous for them. That's why every home remedy you see is not for babies.Think about whether it is safe .
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Although hiccups are common, in rare cases they can be a symptom of another problem, so be aware of these things.
- If the hiccups have been going on for hours.
- If the baby seems to be having a hard time with hiccups. For example, if they cry non-stop or if they bend their body like a bow.
- If the baby seems to be having difficulty breathing due to hiccups.
- If hiccups are constantly interfering with breastfeeding.
- If the baby is constantly vomiting the milk he has drunk.
In any case, if you have even the slightest doubt, the best and safest thing to do is to talk to your pediatrician . It's better to be informed about even the smallest thing than to be afraid.
💡 Take-Home Message
- It's very normal for babies to hiccups from time to time. It can even be a sign that the baby is developing healthily.
- Hiccups usually don't cause pain to the baby, and they go away on their own within a few minutes.
- Simple things like burping while breastfeeding and laying your baby upright after feeding can help reduce hiccups.
- For no reason should you try the same treatments for hiccups in adults on small babies.
- If hiccups last for hours, if the baby seems uncomfortable, or if you have any doubts, see your doctor immediately.
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