Hiccups can be alarming to parents who just had their first baby. Maybe because having hiccups looks as if the baby is uncomfortable or requires medical attention. Babies under 12 months often hiccup a lot, and no one can tell you exactly why this happens. But we know that to some degree water can be helpful. In this article, we will answer the question can you bottle feed a baby with hiccups? And what to do if your baby has hiccups.
When hiccups occur, some parents panic, which should not be the case because hiccups are a natural defense mechanism of the body. The hiccup episode should only be alarming when the baby does not stop after an hour or two. In this case, you should seek medical attention right away.
But did you know that a baby makes its first hiccup inside the womb? Before we answer the question of what to do when your baby has hiccups, let us look into what a hiccup really is.
What Is A Hiccup?
Hiccups are contractions of the diaphragm, which are usually involuntary, paired with the larynx contraction and the complete closure of the glottis. In other words, the air gets sucked into the windpipe, followed by the sudden closure of the vocal cords producing the “hic” sound.
Is Hiccup Bad?
Everyone experiences hiccups occasionally. Some are more prone to having hiccups than others. Hiccups can be a problem when the hiccup is prolonged and repeated, which a few people have as a condition. A hiccup should only be alarming when it does not go away after an hour or two for babies.
Infants and toddlers are more inclined to having hiccups than older children and adults. Even babies inside the mother’s womb hiccup, which the mother usually can recognize happening. A theory suggests that the hiccup is a way to prepare the baby’s lung for the real world. Hiccups are generally not bad, and their occurrence decrease as your little one grows older.
What Can Trigger A Hiccup?
The cause of hiccups cannot be determined. However, there are a few theories that some research presents. A suggestion states that hiccups can be caused by pressure on the diaphragm, especially when a baby is feeding. The baby may have ingested a large amount of air, or he or she may have finished her milk too quickly. If water cures hiccups for adults, can you bottle feed a baby with hiccups? Let’s find out.
What You Can Do When A Baby Has Hiccups
When a baby is experiencing hiccups, look back on the activities that had occurred beforehand. If the baby was feeding, you could reduce the amount or stop feeding completely to assess the situation. You can also try to make the baby burp at the onset of the hiccup. If your baby burps and still has the hiccup, another burp will not be a solution.
Can you bottle feed a baby with hiccups? Absolutely. Offering the baby something to drink may help, although there is no guaranteed method to stop your baby’s episode. There is also no need to panic because a hiccup will generally go away on its own. The hiccup will only require you to seek medical attention if it does not go away in an hour or two. But to further assist you in aiding your baby’s hiccup, here are a few things you can try.
Things To Try When Your Baby Has Hiccups
Because there are no guaranteed methods to stop a hiccup, the information we have relies on parental experience. Generally, hiccups are frequent in young babies and are not a reason for worry. Having the hiccups does not mean your baby has acid problems, indigestion, or stomach flu. But for your comfort, these are the things you can try when your baby has hiccups.
- Small frequent meals.
Feeding a baby is a common activity that happens before hiccups occur. The parent can try to increase the number of times a baby will eat, decreasing the consumption for every session. This means the baby can have small frequent meals or feeding throughout the day instead of having to get full feedings. - Have the baby burp often.
Let the baby burp after every bottle of milk or feeding session. This method will assist in preventing hiccups from occurring because it releases unnecessary gas and air in the diaphragm. Can you bottle feed a baby with hiccups after burping? Yes, you can. Giving the baby something to drink can also increase the chances of hiccups going away. - Bottle feeding.
How exactly can you bottle feed a baby with hiccups? Tilt the bottle to a 40-45-degree angle. This method is suggested so that air will rush down the bottom and will have no chance to go out with the milk. When feeding, keep the baby in an upright position if possible. This position reduces the pressure from the diaphragm and promotes burping.
Do Not Force Hiccups To Go Away
When the baby has hiccups, a parent can sometimes get carried away with the procedures. As a parent, we tend to be overprotective with our baby, especially if it’s our first child. Do not force a hiccup to go away by increasing the amounts of burps or milk intake. Hiccups are generally temporary and can go away as fast as 10-15 minutes. Seeking medical help is only done when the hiccups do not go away for more than one to two hours.
Conclusion
Not only can you bottle feed a baby with hiccups, but you can feed them as well. While there is no harm done when doing this, it is still best to assess the situation first, slow down feeding, or stopping entirely until the hiccups go away. A hiccup is a form of protection by our diaphragm to get rid of excess air. Remember to keep your composure and follow the things suggested in this article when your baby has hiccups. Get more tips on baby diet.