During the postpartum period, babies often have hiccups, which may be due to non-pathological reasons such as improper feeding methods or exposure to cold, or pathological factors such as indigestion and congenital diaphragmatic hernia.
In such cases, parents should take the baby to the hospital for examination as soon as possible, identify the specific cause, and proceed with appropriate treatment.
During feeding, if the baby swallows a lot of air or eats too quickly, it may lead to frequent hiccups. In this case, adjusting feeding techniques, such as controlling the feeding speed, can usually effectively alleviate the issue. Also, ensure a warm environment, avoid the baby’s abdomen getting cold, as low temperatures may cause intestinal spasms and hiccups. Gently applying heat and massaging the baby’s abdomen can help improve the situation.
Immature digestive system in babies is prone to indigestion, overeating will increase their gastrointestinal burden, leading to food accumulation, gas production, and continuous hiccups. Following medical advice to use probiotics, such as triple live strains of Lactobacillus, can help regulate. Additionally, congenital diaphragmatic hernia as a developmental anomaly can displace abdominal organs into the chest cavity, compress the lungs, and also cause hiccups. Mild cases may not require special treatment, while severe cases may require surgical intervention.
It is worth noting that pediatric Tourette syndrome may also be associated with frequent hiccups in babies with other symptoms such as eye blinking.
