Baby Newborn Hiccup Information

Hiccups are caused by the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen and assists in breathing. Each contraction also causes a sudden closure of the vocal chords, which cause the characteristic "hic" sound. Newborn infants get hiccups frequently, and may even have them in the womb. There is no need to worry about hiccups. They are completely harmless and will not hurt the infant.

  1. Cause of Hiccups in Infants

    • Though no one knows for sure why hiccups occur so frequently in newborns and infants, physicians believe it may be because of immaturity of the vagus nerve that connects to the diaphragm. The pressure of a full stomach may cause hiccups to occur. Extra air that is swallowed may contribute to the problem. Burping your infant frequently may help to reduce the frequency of hiccups. Hiccups also may be caused by substances in the breast milk that don't agree with the baby, like cow's milk, caffeine, peanuts, shellfish, wheat or soy products.

    How Long Do Hiccups Last?

    • Hiccups can last for just a minute or can go on for up to a quarter of an hour. If hiccups occur during a feeding, stop the feeding and wait until the infant calms down a bit. It may help to walk the infant around and distract him with something else. Though hiccups may look frightening, actually shaking the infant's body, they do no harm.

    At What Age Do Frequent Hiccups Disappear?

    • Hiccups are generally most frequent in newborns and gradually drop off in frequency at about 6 months of age. For some babies, however, hiccups may be a frequent occurrence up to a year old.

    Treatment for Newborn Hiccups

    • A tiny bit of sugar on your newborn's tongue may help to stop the hiccups. You can also try a bit of plain water in a bottle. Honey is an old-fashioned remedy for hiccups, but should not be given to infants in the first year. Some pediatricians think that hiccups may be caused by overfeeding, so you might try shortening feeding sessions.

    When To Consult Your Pediatrician

    • If hiccups are a constant problem, lasting for more than just a few minutes, or if they seem to disturb the newborn a lot, you should mention the matter to your pediatrician. Frequent hiccups may be related to GERD, an acid reflux condition in infants that can be helped with medication.

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