Hiccups in newborns

Hiccups are convulsive contractions of the diaphragm, accompanied by a characteristic sound,This is due to the sharp narrowing or closing of the glottis. Usual hiccup in newborns is short, passes itself after a while, does not cause the child almost no discomfort and has no consequences. But with a prolonged hiccup, a child may start to miss the air.

Why does hiccups occur in newborns? There are several common reasons for this. Among them:

• 
  hypothermia
• 
  binge eating
• 
  thirst
• 
  air in the stomach during feeding
• 
  excitation
• 
  flatulence (increased formation of gases in the intestine)

How to get rid of hiccups in newborns? Alas, most methods that help adults perfectly, in this case it is impossible to use - the newborn will not be able to drink water from a glass or there is a lemon. But there are several ways.

First of all you need to to eliminate the cause that caused hiccups. If the child is frozen - you need to warm it. If he wants to drink - then drink. If the child is overexcited, try to distract or reassure him.

If the hiccup of a newborn has arisen from hypothermia, you need to take it in your arms and hug. If the child is frozen for a walk - then you need to go home, to heat; and if it's cold in the room and the hugs do not warm - you can take cover with a warm blanket or blanket with the child. You can feed the frozen baby with breast, even if the time of the next feeding has not yet come.

Hiccups in newborns with overfeeding arises from the fact that the stretched stomachPresses against the diaphragm and causes it to shrink. If your child has overeaten, you are unlikely to be able to do something until he has digested what he has eaten. But in the future you can prevent overeating. If you are breastfeeding, you should tear it from time to time if it sucks too much. For a baby on artificial feeding it is necessary to choose the right nipple: the hole in it should not be too large.

If the hiccup in the newborn is caused by the fact that in the stomach during feeding, airthen you need to take it in your arms and hold it invertical position, pressing to yourself and stroking at the same time on the back. Usually, air gets into the stomach with too much ingestion of food, so that you can give the same recommendations as in the past case - do not overfeed the baby and do not use nipples with a too wide hole.

Emotional shake too can cause the muscles of the diaphragm to contract. A child can respond to a variety ofpathogens: bright light, loud sound, strangers. In this case, you need to calm the child, affectionately talk to him, give him a breast. And for the future, think: if a newborn is afraid of strangers, maybe it's too early to go out with him or invite guests to your place?

If there are no visible reasons for hiccups (the child does notovereat, does not want to drink, is not frozen), but at the same time the hiccup of a newborn does not pass for a long time, it becomes painful, then it is necessary to show the child to the doctor! Causes of prolonged debilitating hiccough may include lung inflammation, bowel, stomach or liver disease, spinal cord or chest injury, infectious diseases or helminthiasis. therefore at long and frequent attacks of a hiccup it is necessary to address to the pediatrist.

Hiccups in newborns - not the most terrible problem that young parents may face, but also ignore it, too, is not worth it.