Question
The child always catches hiccups and is accompanied by rumbling sounds in the belly. They have had abdominal pain for the past two days and their appetite is not very good. What could be the cause, and how should we treat the hiccups?
Answer
For infants, due to their incomplete physiological structure and digestive function, they are prone to diaphragmatic spasm when exposed to cold stimulation, which manifests as hiccups. When a baby encounters this situation, parents should not be too worried. Firstly, they can give the child warm boiled water and repeatedly offer it to the child. This helps the child quickly use their fingers to gently massage the abdomen. If possible, a warm water bottle can be used to apply heat to the child’s abdomen. At the same time, avoid burns.