Whether you like it or not, hiccups are a common experience for babies – and as a new parent, hiccups can be both adorable and worrying. More so, if you’ve ever wondered if you can feed a baby when they have hiccups, you’re not alone. I have been through the same situation with my first baby and I remember feeling nervous that trying to feed my baby would cause issues. I had a thousand questions running through my head in the beginning. Can my baby properly swallow with hiccups? Will hiccups make my baby choke on their food? Could this lead to other potential problems if I don’t remedy this? Is there medicine for hiccups? Through extensive research, I have found answers to all these questions that you might also be wondering. With that, let’s take a look at why babies get hiccups, things to do about them, and if feeding your baby during hiccups is safe.
Can you feed a baby with hiccups?
The simple and straightforward answer would be; yes, you can feed your baby with hiccups! In fact, feeding can sometimes help stop them. Sucking and swallowing can help get rid of hiccups because it helps your baby to relax the diaphragm and ease those tiny uncontrolled spasms.
However, keep an eye on your baby’s comfort:
∙ If your baby seems happy and isn’t fussy, go ahead and feed them. If the hiccups seem to bother your baby, try waiting a few minutes to see if they go away before resuming feeding.
Pro Tip: Try burping your baby before and during feeds. This helps release trapped air and reduces the chance of hiccups occurring in the first place.
How to prevent baby hiccups?
While hiccups are unavoidable sometimes, you can take steps to minimize them:
∙ Feed in a Calm Environment:
Babies can get overstimulated, especially during feeding. Dim the lights, keep noise low, and let your baby focus on the meal.
∙ Pace the Feeding:
Slow and steady wins the race! Use bottles with anti-colic nipples, which control the flow of milk, or take breaks during breastfeeding to let your baby catch their breath.
∙ Keep Baby Upright:
Holding your baby upright during and after feeding can prevent air from building up in their tummy.
∙ Don’t Overfeed:
Pay attention to your baby’s hunger cues, like sucking on their hands or turning toward you. Feeding them too much at once can make hiccups worse.
Why do babies get hiccups?
Hiccups happen when the diaphragm, a muscle under the lungs, contracts suddenly. And since the diagraph of a baby is still developing, they’re prone to hiccups and actually a common occurrence. A few common triggers include:
- Feeding too quickly: Babies may gulp air while nursing or drinking from a bottle. 2. Overfeeding: A full tummy can irritate the diaphragm.
- Sudden temperature changes: Switching from a warm environment to a cool one might set off hiccups.
- Excitement or stimulation: Yes, even tiny bursts of excitement can cause hiccups in babies!
In fact, I’ve read somewhere that some babies start hiccups right after feeding. Although some parents find it cute, it was still a confusing thing for many and will make you question if it was something you were doing wrong. Turns out, hiccups are completely normal and usually harmless.
My personal experience with baby hiccups
When my little cousin was a baby, her hiccups were almost like a daily routine. And to be honest, we panicked every time it happened. One situation was when during a family dinner, she got hiccups right in the middle of her bottle feeding.
To our surprise, her mother (who is already a mom of 3 by that time) continued to feed her – and the hiccups stopped after a few sips. This taught me that hiccups aren’t as big of a deal as they seem. Babies aren’t as fragile as we think, and most hiccups resolve on their own.
Should you worry about baby hiccups?
For most babies, hiccups are a harmless phase of early development. But in rare cases, frequent or severe hiccups may signal an underlying issue, such as:
∙ Acid reflux: Also known as GERD, it can irritate the diaphragm. ∙ Feeding problems: Like swallowing too much air or having an improper latch.
If your baby seems uncomfortable, spits up frequently, or has hiccups that last more than 10–15 minutes, it’s worth mentioning to your pediatrician.
How to soothe hiccups?
If hiccups persist and seem to bother your baby, here are a few tricks to try: ∙ Offer a Pacifier:
Sucking on a pacifier can help relax the diaphragm.
∙ Rub your baby’s back:
Little did you know that just simple and gentle back rubs or pat can help your baby burp and adjust the body’s diaphragm to stop the hiccups.
∙ Give Gripe Water:
Gripe water is an hermal remedy for digestive discomfort. But before giving it to your baby, check with your pediatrician for any allergies.
∙ Try a warm bath:
The soothing effect of warm water might help your baby relax and stop hiccupping. ∙ Time the next feed:
If hiccups start during feeding, take a short break and let your baby rest before resuming.
What not to do?
It’s tempting to try old wives’ tales, but some methods can be unsafe for babies. Avoid the following:
∙ Startling the baby: Loud noises or sudden actions can scare your baby, causing more stress.
∙ Pulling on their tongue or holding their breath: These are outdated remedies and should never be tried.
∙ Giving water: Babies under 6 months don’t need water and could choke.
Stick to gentle and safe techniques – don’t just come up on your own. But hey, if you are not a first-time parent, chances are you already know how to deal with it.
When to call the doctor
While rare, some cases may require medical advice. Contact your pediatrician if:
∙ Hiccups are frequent and disrupt feeding or sleep.
∙ Your baby seems uncomfortable or in pain.
∙ Hiccups persist well past the first year.
But if you were to call a doctor, don’t panic and ensure that you’re giving them the right amount of information on what truly happened. Otherwise, they might diagnose your baby wrong and assume that it’s a major issue even if it’s really not.
We can all agree that hiccups might be a mystery to any new parent – but always remember that it’s a reminder that your baby is going through an incredible development.
Of course, if you are in doubt, trust your instincts, and never be afraid to ask for help. After all, every parent learns as they go—and that’s perfectly okay.