It is common for newborns to experience hiccups accompanied by spitting up, mainly due to their immature stomach and throat structures. When a baby feeds too quickly and swallows air, the gas in the stomach rises, combined with the strong gastric contractions, leading to spitting up. In such cases, parents can gently massage the baby’s chest to help release gas, or provide foods like radish that assist in improving digestion. Controlling the feeding speed to avoid feeding too quickly is also one of the preventive measures. Additionally, considering digestive factors, probiotics can be added to the baby’s diet to promote gut health and nutrient absorption.
Infant spitting up and hiccups are usually related to swallowing air while feeding. Air accumulates at the top of the stomach, triggering the hiccup response. Although newborn hiccups and spitting up are common and harmless, usually decreasing with age, it’s still important to pay attention to their frequency and duration to ensure they do not disrupt the baby’s normal routine.
Hiccups are an effective way to reduce spitting up in newborns and are often seen after feeding. They may be triggered by crying, rapid feeding, or exposure to cold in the abdomen. Occasional hiccups need not be overly concerning, as they can even occur in the fetal stage, and in most cases, the situation will significantly improve after the baby turns one year old.
The key step to prevent spitting up is to help the baby burp. Methods include: holding the baby upright with their head resting on the adult’s shoulder and gently patting their back until they burp; if patting for several minutes proves ineffective, try gently massaging the back. Keeping the baby’s upper body upright or slightly inclined for about 30 minutes helps release gas and reduces the chances of spitting up. If the baby spits up while lying down, turn their face to one side immediately to prevent aspiration, and carefully monitor the baby’s condition after spitting up to ensure safety.
