Content

• Steps
• Advice

Hiccups happen due to constriction and disruption of the diaphragm. This is a normal phenomenon, not to worry about in infants and young children. Most hiccups are caused by overeating or swallowing too much air. The hiccups will go away on their own, but if you are worried that your baby will be upset, we can reduce this from happening by adjusting to our diet and paying attention to other possible causes.

Steps

Part 1 of 4: Temporarily stop breastfeeding

1. 

   Stop breastfeeding if a young child is experiencing persistent hiccups that interfere with breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Continue to feed your baby after the hiccups are gone, or if the hiccups persist, then feed the baby again after 10 minutes.
   • Comfort your baby by rubbing or patting the back.Babies that are hungry and upset often tend to swallow a lot of air, leading to hiccups.

2. 

   
   
   Check your child's posture before continuing. Let your baby suckle in a sitting upright position for 30 minutes. This pose can help relieve pressure on the diaphragm.

3. 

   Help your baby burp while waiting. Burping can help keep your baby from bloating. Place your baby on your chest with his head resting on your shoulder.
   • Gently rub or pat your baby's back to promote burping.
   • Continue to feed after your baby burps, or wait a few minutes if your baby still doesn't burp.
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Part 2 of 4: Limit swallowing air

1. 

   
   
   Pay attention while your baby is nursing. If you hear gurgling sounds, the baby may be sucking too fast and swallowing air. Swallowing too much air can cause a child's stomach to swell, leading to hiccups. Take a few breaks while you feed your baby to slow down the feed.

2. 

   
   
   Make sure your baby latches on properly. Your baby's lips should cover the areola, not just the nipples. Not sure latching will cause your baby to swallow a lot of air.

3. 

   Hold the bottle at an angle of about 45 degrees while your baby is feeding. This position helps to keep air in the bottom of the bottle, away from the nipple and reduces the risk of hiccups.

4. 

   Check the hole in the nipple of the bottle. If the hole is large, the milk will flow too quickly, and if it is too small the baby will have difficulty sucking and swallowing more air. If the hole is of the right size, milk will slowly flow as you turn the bottle upside down. advertisement

Part 3 of 4: Adjusting lactation schedules

1. 

   Adjust the nursing schedule. Doctors recommend feeding infants more often, but in small portions. When your baby is breastfed too much at once, the stomach will swell quickly, causing the diaphragm to contract.

2. 

   Rest and belching while breastfeeding. The belching takes place when transitioning from one breast to the other, or when the baby is half-fed in the case of a bottle. Pause feeding if the baby stops or turns away.
   • For babies, help them burp more often. Infants suckle very little at once, but need to feed several times a day (8-12 times).

3. 

   Know the signs that your baby is hungry. Feed your baby as soon as he seems hungry. Hunger and fussy baby will swallow more excess air and will suckle faster than usual.
   • Signs of hunger may include restlessness, crying, burning mouth, or sucking hands.

4. 

   Note when the child hiccups. Record the number and time each time your baby hiccups. Watching closely when your baby hiccups can help you pinpoint the situation to help alleviate the discomfort. Note that hiccups do occur during or immediately after a feed. Examine your notebook and look for the cause. advertisement

Part 4 of 4: Consult a doctor

1. 

   Take some time. Most hiccups will go away on their own. Hiccups in children are often less of a concern than in adults. If your baby has hiccups that are bothersome, unable to breastfeed or interfere with normal development, see your baby's doctor.

2. 

   Talk to your pediatrician if your baby's hiccups are not normal. If the baby hiccups frequently for more than twenty minutes, this could be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
   • Some of the symptoms that your baby has had gastroesophageal reflux disease are spitting up food or crying violently while eating.
   • Your doctor can prescribe drugs or recommend appropriate treatment.

3. 

   Talk to your doctor if the hiccups seem to be affecting your baby's breathing. If you hear a wheezing or blocked breathing, get your baby to the doctor right away. advertisement

Advice

• Hiccups are very common in babies and young children. As the child grows up, along with the development of the digestive system, hiccups will decrease gradually.
• When your child burps, make sure that there is no pressure on the stomach. The best holding position is one hand supporting between the legs so that the baby's chin is resting on your shoulder, the other hand gently pats the baby's back.