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Having continuous hiccups is irritating even for an adult, so try to picture what it’s like for a newborn who is still learning to interact with their body and the world around them. While adults mostly fend off hiccups by drinking a lot of water, you cannot do that for a newborn who can’t drink a drop of water till they are at least six months old (1). In the case of hiccups, a newborn is too small to even understand what is going on. They might become upset or even weep as a result of this.
The diaphragm is the muscle that divides your chest from your belly, and hiccups are involuntary spasms of this muscle (2). Your ability to take in oxygen depends on it. The diaphragm tightens when we have hiccups, and each contraction causes a brief but sharp closing of the vocal cords that we associate with the hiccup sound. The practice is ingrained in us from an early age. Indeed, babies in the womb have hiccups as well! Having a hiccup is often misunderstood, even for adults, and many myths and false beliefs have developed around it. Some people think they are bad for the baby, while others take it as a sign that you are in their thoughts! The former is obviously false, and the latter is for you to decide! Here are some things you need to know about infant hiccups and why it is important for your baby’s health. Read on to know them all.
Hiccups In Infants
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If your infant has hiccups, please don’t stress out. An infant’s hiccups are one of the earliest behaviors they learn. Even infants have no say in the matter of hiccups. You should know that hiccuping is completely normal and even a good sign that your kid is developing normally (3). A baby’s hiccups are helpful for the growth of his or her brain and for the control of his or her breathing. It’s a normal and involuntary baby reaction. Your baby’s health and development are both indicated by this. So the next time you see your little bundle hiccup, you don’t have to call your pediatrician right away.
Brain Development And Hiccups
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A newborn’s nervous system lacks mature receptors and processing centers as we have as adults. Essential developmental steps for infants include the initiation and building of these networks. There is a massive surge of brain impulses that is set off whenever a newborn hiccup (4). Hiccuping stimulates brain activity that teaches the developing brain to track and eventually command the diaphragm (breathing muscle), paving the way for the infant to learn to breathe on command by consciously moving the diaphragm upward and downward.
How Does Gripe Water Help Hiccups
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Hiccups may be an inseparable part of a baby’s development, but it is annoying nonetheless. Especially when your baby doesn’t look comfortable while at it. Most babies become fussy and uncomfortable due to hiccups, even though it plays an important role in their growth. While harmless, hiccups can be a nuisance for your baby when they occur repeatedly. If your baby has hiccups, you can try giving them some gripe water after consulting with the pediatrician. Tonics like “gripe water” may help resolve a wide range of gastrointestinal problems in infants. It’s been used for decades with usually no ill effects in the treatment of infants and young children. It is also believed to be a good treatment for colic and gas problems. So, if your baby has gastric problems, hiccups may seem like the lesser problem here, but you can still talk to your doctor about it and help relieve some of the pain.
As a parent, it is difficult to see your child go through any kind of pain, even if it is as ordinary as a hiccup. And sometimes, hiccups can even occur when they are sleeping, which will make them wake up and cry in the middle of the night. However, you need to keep in mind that whenever your kid has hiccups, it’s a sign that he or she is developing normally and getting healthy and strong. Make sure your child feeds on time, and don’t feed them water till they are at least six months of age. Even after that, you need to boil the water for about 20 minutes and store the water in a closed container where nothing can contaminate the water. So, what is your trick to help your child get rid of hiccups? Let us know in the comments section.
