Hiccups in newborns after feeding
We understand why newborns often hiccup, should parents worry, and what can be done to help the baby

Causes of hiccups in newborns 

Hiccups in newborns are quite common. To understand why it occurs in a baby and whether it is worth worrying about his health, let’s remember what hiccups are. Between the human chest and the abdominal cavity there is a special respiratory muscle – the diaphragm. When we inhale, it gently rises, when we exhale, it falls.

“Hiccups are a sudden contraction of the diaphragmatic muscle when it is irritated, this happens reflexively,” explains Valeria Shchelkunova. – At an early age, the diaphragm is very sensitive to various stimuli, since the baby’s nervous system is not yet mature. Therefore, in newborns, hiccups are quite common, this is an absolutely normal process for an infant. Over time, this, of course, passes.

Most often, hiccups in newborns occur after feeding. Directly below the diaphragm is the stomach, and when it is stretched, irritation of the diaphragm can occur. This is mainly due to overeating, or swallowing a large amount of air while sucking on the breast or bottle.

“If we compare breastfeeding and artificial feeding, then in artificially fed children hiccups are observed more often just because of the swallowing of a large amount of air during feeding,” says Valeria Shchelkunova. – The stomach is very distended. But similar problems can occur in breastfeeding babies if the newborn is not properly attached to the breast. Therefore, we ask mothers to pay attention to whether the baby often hiccups after breastfeeding, this may be an indicator of improper attachment.

Also, frequent hiccups, according to the expert, can occur due to bloating, with a pathology of the gastrointestinal tract or nervous system. In addition, strong emotions, such as fear or joy, as well as a sudden change in temperature, can cause hiccups in a newborn.

What to do with hiccups in newborns 

First you need to understand the cause of hiccups. If the newborn has swallowed a lot of air, you need to help him burp. 

– It is worth taking the child in your arms and holding it in a column for at least 15 minutes, so that the excess air leaves, – advises Valeria Shchelkunova. – If the problem is with overeating, you also need to hold the baby after feeding with a column, so the food bolus will move faster. With bloating, which is also a very common problem in newborns and can cause hiccups, since over-inflated intestinal loops press on the diaphragm, tummy massage, heat on the tummy, the use of a gas vent tube, simethicone-based products help first of all. Dill water belongs to the means of non-evidence-based medicine, I do not recommend using them, since their effectiveness is doubtful. The same can be said about the pacifier with syrup. If an objective reason for hiccups cannot be found, the mother should offer the baby a breast or some water if the baby is bottle-fed. 

Prevention of hiccups in newborns 

As we have already noted, the main causes of hiccups in newborns after feeding are overeating and swallowing large amounts of air. 

“That’s why it’s important not to overeat,” he says. Valeria Shchelkunova. – If the child is breastfed, then this is feeding on demand, but you need to understand that not every concern of the child is necessarily a desire to eat. If the child is bottle-fed, then you must strictly observe the prescribed norm in food. Make sure the newborn is properly attached to the breast. After feeding, be sure to hold the baby in a column. 

To prevent increased gas formation and facilitate the discharge of gases in the baby, lay it on the tummy more often, massage the tummy. Try to avoid unnecessary stress and anxiety. 

Popular questions and answers

Answers Valeria Shchelkunova — neonatologist, author of the newborn blog.

What is forbidden to do with hiccups in newborns
To combat hiccups, people have come up with many ways, ranging from holding their breath, frightening, and ending with a headstand. However, their effectiveness is highly questionable. It happens that some parents try to deal with hiccups with similar methods and infants, which is absolutely impossible to do. 

– In order for the hiccups to pass, you need to relax the diaphragm. And fear, on the contrary, can become a trigger of tension. So it’s a common misconception that being scared helps with hiccups, our expert explains. – Some people think that holding the breath can also affect the relaxation of the diaphragm. This is also a misconception. With a lack of air, a reflex contraction of the diaphragm occurs.

When to see a doctor
As a rule, hiccups in newborns do not pose any danger and there is nothing for parents to worry about. 

“But if it happens systematically, just after feeding, and the mother is very worried, you should consult a doctor for advice,” advises Valeria Shchelkunova. – It is possible that the baby is not properly attached to the breast, for this reason, feeding may not be effective, which may lead to poor growth performance. 

Also, the reason for going to the doctor may be too long bouts of hiccups, which are accompanied by pain in the baby’s tummy (he can twist his legs during hiccups, cry a lot).

How to provide first aid for hiccups
Any special actions and manipulations in the event of hiccups in a newborn are not required. As we have already noted, after feeding, with hiccups that have begun, you need to vilify the child for some time with a column. If you supplement your child with water, then during an attack of hiccups, you can give him a drink. Pay attention to the conditions in which the baby is located: it is cold or hot in the room, perhaps the newborn is cold. Try to distract the baby: play with him, talk, do a light massage.

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