Involuntary contraction of the main muscles of the diaphragm is hiccup. Movement is uncontrollable, sudden, therefore, due to closed or relaxed vocal cords, a characteristic sound appears. Many parents are afraid of these physiological manifestations in the baby, but these sensations practically do not cause a nuisance to the newborn.
Why a newborn baby hiccups
Hiccups in newborns are a reflex phenomenon, not associated with eating and intestinal motility. Very rarely, it can be caused by improper feeding, behavior after eating. Scientists do not have a common opinion about hiccups. Some believe that breathing is practiced this way, while others - the nerve gets rid of the pressure of the overflowing stomach. Parental anxiety is understandable, since the mechanism of the phenomenon is still not clear.
The newborn often hiccups for such reasons as:
- Bloating. The swollen bowel presses on the stomach and diaphragm.
- Overeating. A full stomach compresses the diaphragm, and it contracts to relax.
- Neurotic manifestations. Bright light, sound, unexpected actions from others.
- Subcooling.
- Thirst. This is a common cause of hiccups in newborns.
- Worms, after getting rid of which seizures pass.
Attacks should not be more than 15-20 minutes, only then this phenomenon can be considered a normal reaction of the child's body to external factors. If the baby hiccups for more than an hour, attacks are frequent and cause discomfort, should consult a doctor. Often spasms are a manifestation of problems of intrauterine development caused by hypoxia, pancreatic diseases, liver, stomach. Inflammation of the lungs, bacterial, viral infections can cause a contraction of the diaphragm. If a newborn baby hiccups for a long time, this is the reason for contacting a doctor.
How to stop hiccups
Hearing unpleasant sounds from the child, adults can try to help the kid by giving him some water. How to remove hiccups if the drink did not help? Very small it is desirable to hold upright for several minutes, pressing to yourself. The diaphragm will relax in a similar position and the spasms will pass. Laying on the stomach, stroking with warm hands clockwise - you need to try all the ways. In any case, hiccups in newborns will take place in 15-20 minutes, even if the mother could not help.
What to do if a child hiccups after feeding
Hiccup after feeding in newborns is a familiar condition, which is easy to get rid of. The baby swallows the air together with the mixture from the bottle or the wrongly grasped breast. Then the inflated stomach presses against the diaphragm, which contracts, trying to relax. Such her movements provoke spasms, and therefore there is a hiccup. Through this physiological manifestation are all the children, so parents should not worry, and each time to run to the doctor.
What to do with hiccups in newborns after a meal:
- If the spasms are caused by ingestion during meals, at the end of the meal, hold the baby's baby upright. You can put it only after regurgitation of excess air or unassembled mixture.
- If the baby is in a hurry, it's important to take breaks during meals.
- The nipple should be selected according to the age of the baby.
- During the hiccough after feeding the baby should be put on the tummy or knee of the mother to relax the muscles of the diaphragm.
- The warmth of the hands of the mother will help relax the muscles - this is a trouble-free method when hiccups appear.
When to call a doctor
Spasms should not normally last more than 15 minutes, not more than a couple of times a day. If the hiccup is more prolonged, frequent, arises constantly or causes pain and crying of the baby, consult a doctor. This may indicate the presence of pathological processes in the spinal cord, inflammatory lung diseases, problems in the digestive system, or the appearance of worms. The doctor will prescribe a test, after which the causes of hiccups will become clear, whether it is caused by abnormalities from the norm or by features of the development of the organism. Proper treatment will help to cope with the condition.
Measures for preventing hiccups in infants
The appearance of hiccups is easier to prevent than to try to stop it later. It is necessary to feed the baby in a semi-recumbent position, not to allow the ingestion of air during meals. The situation at this moment should be calm, do not cause overexcitation and anxiety in the baby. The newborn should not be overcooled, allow the temperature to rise due to overheating, overfeed, then the appearance of hiccups can be minimized.