What Causes Hiccups In Children And How To Stop Them?

Image: ShutterStock

Hiccups are innate, involuntary reflexes that could begin in the womb at just nine weeks of gestational ageⁱXCalculated from the last menstrual cycle to the current date in weeks (1). Though they aren’t a cause for worry, hiccups in kids can be bothersome since they can disrupt what they are doing and make them fussy and irritable. Hiccups are caused by the contraction of the diaphragm, the dome-shaped muscle located below the lungs.

They are generally self-limiting and go away on their own in a few minutes. However, though adults are usually willing to wait for a hiccup episode to pass, children aren’t. Hence, parents need to be equipped with remedies for managing hiccups quickly. If your child is prone to frequent bouts of hiccups, continue reading.

This post tells you about types of hiccups, their causes, and home remedies that could help manage hiccups in children.

Are Hiccups Good Or Bad?

Image: IStock

Hiccups are pretty common in children and shouldn’t be a cause for concern. A recent study conducted on newborns suggests hiccups may promote brain development and help regulate breathing (1). The researchers believe that the hiccups trigger brain signals that help babies learn how to regulate their breathing.

However, persistent hiccups could indicate an underlying disorder. If hiccups affect the child’s ability to eat, breathe, or sleep, consult a doctor.

Types Of Hiccups

Hiccups can be classified into three types based on the duration of each episode (2) (3).

• Hiccups that last for a few seconds or minutes are called transient hiccups.
• Those that linger for 48 hours to one month are termed persistent hiccups.
• Hiccups that last for more than a month are termed intractable hiccups. This type of hiccups is rare and usually seen only in adults.

Persistent and retractable hiccups can lead to certain complications and affect the child’s quality of life (4).

Causes Of Hiccups In Children

Image: Shutterstock

The following are some of the most common triggers of childhood hiccups (5) (6) (7):

• Eating or drinking too much
• Eating or drinking too fast
• Eating spicy foods
• Drinking carbonated drinks
• Drinking ice-cold water or very hot water/ beverages alternately
• Indigestion
• Stress
• Bad odors

Besides these common causes, hiccups can also be triggered by

• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux diseaseⁱXA disorder in which the stomach contents move up into the mouth ) wherein the stomach fluids flow back up into the esophagus (8).
• Strong emotions, such as excessive excitement.
• Over tiredness.

In some extremely rare cases, hiccups are a symptom of an underlying health condition that affects the esophagus, lungs, brain, or stomach (4). Hiccups can also be caused due to a side effect of surgery or certain medication. Hiccups due to these factors could prolong for a longer duration and can disrupt the child’s everyday activities.

When To See A Doctor?

Image: IStock

If you notice any of the following conditions in your child, consider it serious enough to warrant a visit to the health care provider.

• If a bout of hiccups stays for longer than 24 hours, and it upsets your child or interferes with their everyday activities, talk to a doctor and learn ways to handle it.
• If the hiccups last longer than 48 hours, you should see a doctor.
• Intractable hiccups in infants or toddlers that last more than a month are uncommon, so if your child experiences it, visiting the doctor is a must.
• See a doctor if you notice drastic weight loss in the child or insomniaⁱXA sleep disorder characterized by difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep that you believe is connected to hiccups.

Make a note of any other symptoms that the child may exhibit. If your child is on medication for any other conditions, do mention that to the doctor. Uncontrolled hiccups can be a symptom of some serious ailments, a side effect of some kinds of medications, and also an indicator of a foreign object in the ear (2). 

How To Stop Hiccups In Kids?

Image: Shutterstock

You can prevent frequent hiccups in your child by taking a few simple steps. Note that these steps are generally recommended for shortening bouts of transient hiccups and not for treating persistent and intractable hiccups (2).

• Ensure the child does not gulp down food too fast.
• Teach the child to chew well before swallowing.
• Tell them to sip drinks slowly.
• Teach your child the habit of drinking straight from a glass
• Avoid using straws.
• Prevent your child from eating very hot and very cold foods alternatively.
• Avoid overfeeding your child, and if they are old enough to eat on their own, ensure they do not overeat.

Different people handle hiccups in different ways. If you are outside and are caught unawares, you can ask your child to try any of the following ways to manage hiccups:

• Drink a glass of water
• Hold their breath for as long as they can
• Breathe into a paper bag. Note that they should only use a paper bag and avoid plastic bags
• Take slow, measured breaths
• Ask them to put their head in between their knees, as far as they reach, to put pressure on the diaphragm.
• Try to distract them

You could also startle the child or give them a fright. Take care not to traumatize the child. The goal is to surprise them so that they get distracted from the hiccups. Some parents tickle the little ones instead of giving them a fright, which could be effective too.

Quick tip

You can try stopping transient hiccups in children by massaging the sides of the neck (carotid sinus massageⁱXA diagnostic test to measure the sensitivity of the carotid sinus located below the thyroid ) or applying cold compresses to the face (2).

Home Remedies For Hiccups In Children

Image: IStock

Hiccups in children are such a common occurrence that experienced parents usually have home remedies at hand. These simple, safe treatments for hiccups can help you soothe the child and avoid doctor visits unless it is a case of persistent or intractable hiccups (6).

1. Put something sour, such as a slice of lemon, in the child’s mouth and ask them to suck it.

Quick tip

Asking your child to hold their breath and slowly count to ten may safely help stop their hiccup (14).

2. Put sugar under the tongue. Instruct the child to leave it for five to ten seconds before swallowing it. Other sweet foods, such as peanut butter or honey, are also found to work well in some cases.
3. Let the child drink something hot or cold. This helps if the bout of hiccups has been triggered by a drastic change in the stomach temperature.
4. Let them drink water slowly
5. Give them ice chips.
6. A gentle massage on the child’s upper stomach is also a good option. Remember to move your fingers in downward movements and be very careful not to hurt the child by pressing too hard.
7. Drinking fennel, peppermint, or chamomile teaⁱXMade from the chamomile flower and is used for treating anxiety and insomnia works well with muscle spasms. Use a dropper to put the drink into your young child’s mouth.
8. Get the child to gargle ice-cold water for half a minute. If the hiccups persist after one round, the child can repeat this.

Infographic: Questions To Expect At The Doctor’s Visit

Hiccups in children may seldom be a concern. But if it interferes with your child’s daily activities and causes discomfort, you must take them to the pediatrician. This infographic will help you prepare for the doctor’s visit by filling you in on the common questions you may be asked. Take notes and prepare the answers for an accurate and smooth diagnosis.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Share

Was this article helpful?

The following two tabs change content below.

• Reviewer
• Expert
• Author
• Editor
• Fact-checker

Dr. Anuradha BansalMD

Dr. Anuradha Bansal is a highly accomplished pediatrician and neonatologist with 13 years of professional experience. Presently, she is working as Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatrics at PIMS Jalandhar. She has done her MBBS and MD Pediatrics at GMCH, Chandigarh. Thereafter, she polished her skills as senior resident at MAMC, Delhi. She has also done IAP Fellowship in...more

• Dr. Emily SpaethDPT, IBCLC

  Dr. Emily Spaeth is a neonatal physical therapist and lactation consultant with 5 years of experience. A graduate from Samuel Merritt University, she supports birthing bodies and their babies through her business, Be Well Baby PDX.
  
  Dr. Emily Spaeth is a neonatal physical therapist and lactation consultant with 5 years of experience. A graduate from Samuel Merritt University, she supports birthing bodies and their babies through her business, Be Well Baby PDX.

Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC

Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College. During her clinical practice, pediatric dentistry was her particular area of interest, and she constantly thrived to...more

Rebecca MalachiBSc

Rebecca is a pregnancy writer and editor with a passion for delivering research-based and engaging content in areas of fertility, pregnancy, birth, and post-pregnancy. She did her graduation in Biotechnology and Genetics from Loyola Academy, Osmania University and obtained a certification in ‘Nutrition and Lifestyle in Pregnancy’ from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU). She has been into health and...more

Shinta Liz SunnyM.Tech

Shinta is a biotechnologist who is highly intrigued by science and technology. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. At MomJunction, Shinta writes on mother and child health and wellness. Previously, she worked as a scientist for three years, involved in developing...more