{"id":78211,"date":"2023-04-17T22:09:27","date_gmt":"2023-04-17T19:09:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog?p=78211"},"modified":"2023-04-17T22:09:27","modified_gmt":"2023-04-17T19:09:27","slug":"baby-hiccups-causes-treatment-and-when-to-be-concerned","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/invidyo.com\/blog\/en\/baby-hiccups-causes-treatment-and-when-to-be-concerned","title":{"rendered":"Baby Hiccups: Causes, Treatment, and When to Be Concerned"},"content":{"rendered":"

Babies under 12 months are known to experience frequent hiccups. In fact, babies start hiccuping in the womb from as early as 21 weeks. Although, at times, it does become a cause of concern for parents, experts insist that it is a perfectly normal occurrence.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hiccups are entirely harmless and don\u2019t affect babies negatively. Unless you start noticing that your baby’s hiccups interfere with daily activities such as sleeping or eating, there should be no reason for concern. <\/span><\/p>\n

A study<\/a> conducted in 2019 showed that hiccups were instrumental in baby\u2019s brain development and breathing. They are a common aspect of development and one of a baby’s earliest milestones.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are plenty of reasons behind babies’ hiccups and what you can do to ease the annoyance of it all. Continue reading to learn all about your baby’s hiccups.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What causes baby hiccups?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Hiccups are most likely caused by irritation to the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the muscle at the base of the lungs and the body\u2019s main muscle for breathing. <\/span><\/p>\n

Once the nerves in the diaphragm are triggered, the diaphragm experiences spasms. <\/span>These spasms cause the rapid closing of the vocal cords. This rapid closing of the vocal cords creates the \u201chic\u201d sound.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear what causes the nerves to be stimulated in the first place. Though in babies, the general understanding is that hiccups are caused by <\/span>overfeeding, eating too quickly, or swallowing a lot of air while feeding.<\/span><\/p>\n

ALSO READ: Umbilical Cord Care: What Every Parent Needs to Know<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Why do children get hiccups?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Hiccups are a common occurrence in people of all ages, including babies. They are caused by the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, which leads to a sharp intake of air and the characteristic “hic” sound as the epiglottis closes.<\/p>\n

While in adults hiccups may be triggered by factors such as consuming spicy or fizzy foods, smoking, or chewing gum, in babies the causes may differ. It is important to understand how to identify and manage hiccups in infants, as they can be a source of concern for new parents.<\/p>\n

How long do baby hiccups last?<\/span><\/h2>\n

It’s not uncommon for babies to hiccup multiple times a day, and these hiccups can last for up to 10 minutes or more. While it may be a cause for concern for parents, if your baby seems happy and comfortable, there’s usually no need to worry.<\/p>\n

In most cases, baby hiccups will resolve on their own, but if they persist or seem to be causing discomfort, it’s a good idea to contact your doctor to rule out any underlying issues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Does it hurt when my baby has hiccups?<\/span><\/h2>\n

When babies hiccup, their entire bodies may seem to jolt, and the sound of their hiccups can be quite loud. But you can rest assured that hiccuping doesn’t cause your baby and pain.<\/p>\n

In fact, the experience of hiccuping for a baby or young child is similar to that of an adult. Sometimes, hiccups can even occur along with small amounts of milk being brought up during a reflux episode.<\/p>\n

That too, is quite normal and should not be a cause for concern.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ: Soothing Your Crying Baby: Tips and Techniques to Help You Both Relax<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Relation between hiccups and gastroesophageal reflux<\/span><\/h2>\n

Sometimes hiccups can accompany reflux episodes. Hiccups alone are not necessarily a sign of <\/span>gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), but the reflux episodes can be indicative of GERD.<\/span><\/p>\n

Reflux causes stomach acid to back up into your baby\u2019s esophagus. However, i<\/span>f your baby has GERD, hiccups won\u2019t be the only symptom they exhibit.<\/span><\/p>\n

Infants with reflux also display other symptoms such as:<\/p>\n