Question
Newborns often experience hiccups after eating. How should parents deal with this?
Answer
Infant hiccups are a normal physiological phenomenon due to the incomplete development of their abdominal muscles. If an infant has hiccups, you can try letting them suckle a few mouthfuls of milk or gargle with water to help alleviate the hiccups. The exact cause of hiccups is not yet clear, but they may not be as uncomfortable for infants as they are for adults. Parents should not worry too much about it. In addition, adopting a feeding method of small and frequent meals, giving warm water during the feeding process, or diverting the infant’s attention through other means can all help reduce the frequency of hiccups and improve symptoms.