Baby hiccups: causes and how to (really) get rid of them
Find out what the baby hiccupsthe causes why it arises (often associated with meals and reflux) and how to solve it effectively.
What is infant hiccups
Hiccups are a involuntary movement characterised by the rapid contraction of diaphragm and other accessory respiratory muscles.
To their sudden contraction follows a sudden closure of vocal cords (producing the characteristic 'choking' sound of hiccups)
Hiccups have a rhythmic and cadenced pattern, with a frequency that varies from 15/20 up to 40 singles per minute.
Hiccups are a reflex' mechanismcontrolled by a nerve circuit:
- phrenic nerve (innervates the diaphragm)
- vagus nerve (X cranial nerve)
- Glossopharyngeal nerve (9th cranial nerve)
- intercostal nerves (innervate the accessory respiratory muscles).
Causes of infant hiccups
Leaving aside why some babies experience hiccups already during pregnancy, I will try to explain why a newborn baby gets hiccups.
In the newborn, a of main causes which disturbs the diaphragm and causes hiccups is thestomach irritation (due to digestive difficulties and gastrointestinal disorders in newborns).
The association of hiccups with gastric digestive difficulties and reflux is supported by the fact that most children who suffer from hiccups do more difficulty in digesting ingested milk.
As you can see from the anatomical image below, the stomach is located just inferior to the diaphragm. For this reason, when the stomach is disturbed it irritates the diaphragm and causes hiccups.
That is why most children suffer from hiccups, manifests it immediately after feeding. In fact, it is associate a gastric digestive difficulties and to reflux gastroesophageal.
How to make a newborn baby's hiccups go away
When the newborn frequently suffers from hiccups the presence of gastric disorders must be assessed (reflux and digestive difficulties) and the presence of diaphragm contractures same.
In these cases, in association with the paediatrician's suggestions, the paediatric osteopath carefully evaluates all the causes of gastro-oesophageal reflux in newborns (suggesting possible cautions) and treats the respiratory muscles (diaphragm, ribs, accessory respiratory muscles).
The right cautions (mother's feeding, possible type of bottle and teat, baby's position, belly massage, etc.) and the osteopathic treatments can help. In fact, the child should improve both the digestiongastro-intestinal disorders and episodes of hiccups.
Hiccups in babies: when to worry?
In most cases, episodes of hiccups last only a few minutes, tend to resolve spontaneously and the infant shows no signs of discomfort.
Sometimes, the hiccups improve as soon as the infant is able to perform the famous "burp"(a sign that it is associated with gastric digestive difficulties).
In short, occasional and transient hiccups should not cause concern. In fact, it can be easily resolved and not be a sign of more serious problems.
There may, however, be cases in which hiccups are particularly persistent or associated with symptoms requiring a in-depth study doctor.
It is advisable to contact your paediatrician when the hiccups lasting several hours or even dayswithout stopping or only with short pauses.
In addition, it is advisable to consult the paediatrician when hiccups are associated with persistent gastrointestinal disturbances, persistent coughing, severe irritability, regurgitation, breathing difficulties, wheezing, etc.
Curiosity: etymology of the term 'hiccups'
The term 'hiccup' is derived from Latin singultus, i.e. "to emit a single sound" (from singuli) or 'throat contraction' (from sim-glutus).
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