New parents may often feel confused and worried if their baby experiences things that adults consider trivial. Hiccup is one of them. Then, how do you deal with hiccups in babies?
Not only adults who experience hiccups, in fact, babies can also experience hiccups at a very early age. Hiccups are basically caused by the contraction of the diaphragm.
The diaphragm is a large sheet of muscle under the lungs, and together with the muscles between the ribs, we can breathe. Contraction of these muscles can suck air into the lungs, and the entry of air quickly causes the epiglottis to close. The epiglottis is a tissue flap in the throat that closes when we swallow to prevent food, drink, or saliva from being inhaled into the lungs. This sudden closure of the throat tissue is what causes hiccups.
Hiccups are annoying for adults, as well as for babies. Babies are usually unaffected by the presence of hiccups. Still, baby hiccups are a worry for parents. Many, how come, babies can still fall asleep hiccupping without being disturbed. Basically, baby hiccups do not have any particular adverse effect or effect on the baby’s breathing or health and are still considered normal.
There are several ways to deal with hiccups in babies
Breastfeeding can be one way of dealing with your baby’s hiccups. The breastfeeding movement can help your child’s diaphragm relax and stop hiccups. After breastfeeding, you can let the baby burp to make room for the air trapped in the baby’s stomach. Well, the air is also a factor in baby hiccups.
After the breastfeeding and burping process, it’s time to position the baby. Hold and position the baby in an upright, standing condition, while holding it. You can also pat the baby on the back gently. This aims to help gas in the stomach to rise.
Give your child something to suck on, such as a pacifier, pacifier, or mother’s nipple. This method can be done to deal with baby hiccups. Mouth movements and tricking the straw in the baby’s stomach are believed to stimulate belching and stop hiccups in babies.
To deal with baby hiccups, take and place the baby in a warm and humid place. Avoid an air-conditioned room or a slightly cold temperature. Remembering hiccups in babies can be caused by temperatures turning cold.
