Tips to treat hiccups in children

Hiccups are a common phenomenon in young children, especially those under 1 year old. This is a reflex of the body when the diaphragm is stimulated and contracts intermittently, at the same time the vocal folds are suddenly closed, creating the familiar "hiccup" sound. This condition is usually not dangerous but can be uncomfortable.

Why do children hiccup?

According to an article on the Vinmec General Hospital website, there are many common causes of hiccups in young children, including:

- The baby is too full and swallows a lot of air: Babies who are breastfed can swallow a large amount of air. When the baby's stomach contains too much air, the diaphragm becomes irritated and contracts, leading to hiccups.

- Acid reflux: When stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, it can irritate and cause hiccups. This is a common cause in young children because their digestive systems are not fully developed.

- Sudden temperature changes: When cold air or a rapid change in temperature enters a child's lungs, the diaphragm can spasm and cause hiccups.

Tips to cure hiccups

Breastfeeding

Among the ways to cure hiccups, drinking water is the easiest and most effective solution. For infants, breastfeeding is an effective way to cure hiccups. Milk not only helps reduce hunger but also helps stabilize the stomach and soothe the diaphragm. For babies who are eating solid foods, mothers can give them a little water to drink along with deep breathing and sitting with their knees bent to soothe the body.

Cover the child's ears or nostrils with your hands.

A simple and effective tip is for the mother to gently cover the child's ears with two fingers for about 30 seconds, then release and close the child's nostrils. This action helps the diaphragm to stretch and stop contracting, thereby reducing the hiccups.

Let the baby cry

Although it may seem counterintuitive, letting your baby cry can help relax the esophageal nerves and reduce irritation to the diaphragm, helping your baby get rid of hiccups.

Pat the baby's back

If your baby is lying down or holding you, you can gently pat his back to help him burp. This helps relieve acid reflux and soothes his diaphragm.

Change your baby's feeding position

If your baby hiccups after bottle feeding, you can try changing your baby's feeding position to limit swallowing air into the stomach.

Use a pacifier

Another way to treat hiccups in babies is to use a pacifier. Mothers can apply a little syrup on the pacifier and let the baby suck. This will help relax the baby's diaphragm and reduce hiccups. For babies who are formula-fed, mothers should pay attention to choosing the right bottle and nipple to avoid the baby swallowing too much air.

Giving sugar to children (only applies to older children)

For older children, a simple hiccup remedy is to feed them a little sugar. The sugar granules irritate the stomach lining and may help stop the hiccups.

Although hiccups in young children are usually not a cause for concern and will go away on their own after a few minutes, if this condition persists and is accompanied by unusual symptoms such as frequent vomiting, fatigue, and constant crying, parents should take their child to see a doctor for examination.

Things parents need to note

When treating hiccups in children, mothers need to avoid some methods that can be harmful, such as:

- Pulling the child's tongue: This method is not safe for infants and young children, as it can cause injury to the child.

- Startle your baby: Startling your baby can scare him and make the hiccups worse.

- Feeding children sour foods or sweets: These foods are not suitable for infants and can cause digestive disorders.