Cures for Baby Hiccups

Hiccuping in babies is common, according to Lynnette Mazur, professor of pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. Babies will even hiccup in the womb. Hiccuping is caused when the diaphragm muscle spasms, and the vocal cords snap shut, making the "hic" sound. Hiccups usually last about 5 to 10 minutes, but you may not want your baby to suffer that long. Hiccup cures are not scientific. Most have been passed down from mother to mother for generations.

  1. Traditional Hiccup Cures

    • Some babies may swallow a lot of air when they are nursing or drinking from a bottle, which can cause hiccups. Hold the baby upright and pat her back gently until she burps. Burping may relieve her hiccups.
      Check the nipple of the bottle to make sure it is the right size. When you turn the bottle upside down, the formula should come out as a drip, drip, drip. If it comes out in a stream or doesn't drip at all, you need a different nipple. The right size nipple should reduce the frequency of hiccups.
      Feed your hiccuping baby. Feeding may stop the hiccups immediately.
      If feeding causes hiccups, try feeding your baby smaller portions, more frequently.
      Put a blanket on your baby. Sometimes babies get the hiccups when they are cold.

    Alternative Cures

    • Give your baby some Gripe Water. It's an European remedy that contains safe, natural ingredients for relieving colic, gas and hiccups. Some mothers swear by it. Buy it at the drug store.
      Give your baby one or two teaspoons of a water and anise seed mixture. Pour a cupful of boiling water over one teaspoon of anise seeds. Let it steep. Take off two teaspoons of the mixture. Make sure the steeped mixture has cooled before giving it to your baby.
      If the baby has started eating solids, try a little bit of sugar on your finger or on the baby's pacifier.

    Other Suggested Cures

    • Give a hiccuping baby his pacifier or have him suck on your finger.
      Lay the baby flat and raise her arms over her head, letting her stretch her stomach.
      Give the baby water in a bottle.
      Let the baby rest in a quiet place.
      Put a quarter on the baby's diaphragm.

    Folk Remedies You Should Never Try

    • You may have heard of some of these hiccup remedies, but you should never try to cure hiccups by startling your baby, pushing on the soft spots on his head, pressing on his eyeballs or pulling his tongue.

    When Hiccuping is a Sign of Trouble

    • If your baby gets the hiccups frequently, or has hiccups that last the whole day, consult your doctor. Frequent hiccups may be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease.

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