Question
A baby over 60 days old experiences hiccups almost daily, about twice a day, and each episode requires feeding to stop, lasting about 5 to 10 minutes. Is this situation normal? Is it caused by overeating?
Answer
Frequent hiccups in infants are often related to poor gastrointestinal function, possibly due to irregular diet, disordered eating, or damage to the gastric mucosa. It is recommended to bring the baby to a pediatrician for consultation under medical guidance and consider using medications to improve gastrointestinal function or gastric mucosal protectants. Maintain regular eating habits, avoid overeating, and refrain from consuming cold, spicy, greasy foods. Opt for nutritious and easily digestible foods. Additionally, you can use a warm towel or hot water bottle for abdominal heat compressions daily and perform clockwise massage around the navel to promote intestinal peristalsis.