If you became a mommy for the first time recently, then you’ve probably noticed that your newborn gets hiccups on the regular. The #1 question on your mind has probably been, “Is it normal?” Yes, it is absolutely normal for babies to constantly hiccup – even in the womb. It can be alarming for you, but it’s also uncomfortable for baby as well. Read on for tips on how to relieve your baby’s hiccups.
RELATED: How to Get Rid of Hiccups
1. First things first, start by keeping a journal to track how often your baby experiences hiccups. What time of the day do they occur the most? How long do they normally last? These are just some of the things you should be taking note of.
2. Breastfeeding can help your baby’s diaphragm relax and stop hiccups in no time.
3. It’s not uncommon for babies to experience hiccups around feeding time. If this is the case for your little one, try breaking the feedings down into shorter time periods to help prevent overfeeding. Eating too much at once can cause spasms in the diaphragm.
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4. Be sure to burp your baby often in between and during feedings.
5. Giving your baby a gentle back rub helps to relax the diaphragm, thereby stopping the hiccups.
6. If the hiccups persist, wait 5-10 minutes before feeding your baby again. This usually stops the hiccups.
7. Feed your baby before he or she becomes overly hungry and upset. Babies can swallow excess air during a crying fit, which can trigger hiccups.
8. Holding your baby in an upright position during and after feeding time helps gas rise and pass through naturally.
9. While there is no scientific evidence to support this suggestion, many parents swear that placing a small amount of sugar under your baby’s tongue does the trick.
Seek medical attention if your baby experiences vomiting and/or stomach pain along with the hiccups, as these could be symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
READ: Mom’s Favorite Natural Remedies
What NOT To Do
Never try any of the following methods that could harm your baby:
- Startling your baby
- Slapping your baby’s back
- Pressing your baby’s eyeballs
- Pulling your baby’s tongue
Visit the BlackDoctor.org Baby’s Health Center for more articles.
