Frequent infant hiccups

Baby hiccups are common, mainly because the baby’s diaphragm is stimulated to produce spasms. Diaphragm is underdeveloped in babies. When hiccup happens, the diaphragm spasms and the air that is trying to suck in gets stuck against our closed vocal cords.

Causes of frequent hiccups in newborns

Newborn hiccups are mostly caused by three reasons:

Improper care, wind and cold outside, cold and hot irritability, the saying is that “drinking cold air” induces hiccups. If the hiccups are sudden, strong and continuous, usually caused by cold.
Improper dairy food will make the stomach gas move and induce hiccups. You can smell undigested sour odors during hiccups. Gentle massage of the chest and abdomen to lower air will help to ease the hiccups.
Hiccups can also be induced by hiccups due to eating too quickly or after crying. When you are breastfeeding, you must have the correct posture and position.

What to do if the newborn burps frequently

1. When the newborn burps, hug the baby upright , gently pat the baby’s back, and then feed the baby with warm water.

2. The parents pick up the newborn and gently tickle the baby’s mouth or ears with the index finger of one hand. When the baby cries, the burping sound will naturally disappear.

3. If the newborn is burping because of a cold, you can cover the chest and abdomen with comfortable clothes such as a long sleeve top with leggings .

4. If the newborn has hiccups caused by too much milk or too cold milk, first pick up the baby and stimulate the soles of his feet, let the baby cry, this can make the baby’s diaphragm contraction suddenly stop.

5. You can try to listen to light and pleasant music for the baby or use brightly colored toys that make sounds to seduce the baby, to divert the baby’s attention.

How to properly burp a newborn

1. Upright

Hold the baby upright on the shoulder, gently clasp the baby with the power of the hand, and then pat the upper back of the baby with the palm of the hand . In order to prevent the baby from overflowing or vomiting milk, you can put a small towel on your shoulder for easy cleaning. If the baby doesn’t burp after several times of slap, you can consider stroking and then slap, or you can change the position.

2. Sitting

You can sit and let the baby sit on your thighs. Then, hold the baby’s head in one hand and pat the baby’s upper back with the other hand. If the baby does not hiccup after slap a few times, you can consider stroking and slap.

3. Side lying

You sit with your legs closed, and lay the baby sideways with your side lying on your legs, with the baby’s head slightly down. Then, supports the baby’s lower body with one hand, and pats the baby’s upper back with the other hand.