Most baby hiccups are harmless and will stop on their own, but if you’d like to help your baby, there are several safe and effective strategies you can try[1][2][6]:
- Wait it out: Hiccups in babies are usually not uncomfortable and will typically resolve within 5–10 minutes without any intervention. If your baby seems content, it’s perfectly fine to let the hiccups run their course[1][2][5].
- Burp your baby: If hiccups occur during or after feeding, try burping your baby. Hold them upright with their head on your shoulder and gently rub or pat their back. This can help release trapped air that may be triggering the hiccups[2][3][5][6].
- Use a pacifier: Sucking on a pacifier may relax your baby’s diaphragm and help relieve hiccups, especially if they start outside of feeding times[2][3][4].
- Help your baby relax: Gentle rocking or softly rubbing your baby’s back can calm them and possibly stop hiccups by relaxing the diaphragm[3].
- Feed in an upright position: Keep your baby upright while feeding to prevent them from swallowing excess air, which reduces the risk of hiccups[7].
- Take breaks during feeding: Slow down feeding sessions, and take short breaks to allow your baby to burp and reduce the chance of swallowing air[6][7].
Avoid adult remedies: Do not attempt to treat baby hiccups with remedies intended for adults, such as startling them, holding their breath, or making them drink water quickly. These can be unsafe and are not suitable for infants[1][3].
If your baby’s hiccups last longer than an hour, seem to cause distress, or frequently disrupt sleep or feeding, contact your pediatrician to rule out any underlying issues[1][2][5].
References
- [1] Baby Hiccups: What Causes Them, Plus 4 Natural Remedies – Mustela
- [2] How Can I Cure My Newborn’s Hiccups? – Healthline
- [3] How to stop baby hiccups, what not to do, and prevention tips – Medical News Today
- [4] Here’s What to Do When Your Baby Has the Hiccups – Cleveland Clinic
- [5] Hiccups | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
- [6] What to Do If Your Baby Has Hiccups – WebMD
- [7] Ways to Get Rid of Baby Hiccups – Brevard Health Alliance
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