Question
Now that my baby is a month old, starting from the other day, every time they finish feeding, they experience varying degrees of hiccups, and sometimes they last for a long time. However, so far, no other physical abnormalities have been detected besides the hiccups. What should I do about my newborn’s hiccups?
Answer
Hiccups in infants are a normal occurrence and not a disease. Poor development of the diaphragm in infants may cause hiccups. When the diaphragm or the adjacent chest and abdominal area of the diaphragm is stimulated, the “hiccup center” in the spinal cord is affected, leading to hiccups. However, rest assured that infant hiccups are not as uncomfortable as adults might imagine; most of the time, they are self-limiting and will gradually decrease over time. To help soothe your baby’s hiccups, mothers can take the following measures:
- Hold your baby and pat their back.
- Feed your baby warm water.
- Cover your baby’s chest and abdomen with a warm blanket.
- Gently use your fingertips to scratch your baby’s lips or ears, as these areas are more sensitive and scratching can help relax your baby. These methods can help alleviate your baby’s discomfort from hiccups, and they will gradually disappear. Please note that the above suggestions are for reference only. If you have any concerns about your baby’s health…