Question
Newborns often experience hiccups after drinking milk, with varying durations. What causes this and how should it be handled? Parents may worry about whether their care methods are correct and want to know how to effectively burp their baby.
Answer
Parents can take the following steps to help a newborn burp: First, hold the baby in an upright position, with the baby’s head resting on the parent’s shoulder. The parent uses one hand to support the baby’s head and the other hand to support the baby’s buttocks. Then, gently pat the baby’s back with an open palm, from bottom to top, to help expel air from the baby’s body. Another method is to have the baby sit on the parent’s lap, leaning against the parent’s chest, with the parent using the elbow to support the baby’s chin and the other hand to gently pat the baby’s back with an open palm. These methods can help alleviate the baby’s hiccups.