Baby hiccups are usually caused by eating too fast or inhaling cold air. It is important to pay special attention to the baby when they have hiccups. Below, I will provide different solutions based on the different situations of baby hiccups.
1. Drink hot water when feeling cold
If the baby suddenly has hiccups without any other illnesses, and the hiccups are loud and continuous, it is generally caused by feeling cold. At this time, you can give the baby some hot water and also pay attention to keeping the chest and abdomen warm by covering them with warm clothes and blankets. Sometimes, the hiccups will naturally stop without treatment.
2. Drink orange peel water for frequent hiccups
If the baby's hiccups last for a long time or occur frequently, you can soak a small amount of orange peel in boiling water (orange peel helps with smoothing the flow of qi, resolving stomach stagnation, and regulating temper), and let the water cool to an appropriate temperature before drinking. When the temperature is suitable, the hiccups will stop naturally if they were caused by feeling cold.
3. Massage for excessive milk intake
If the baby consumes too much milk due to lack of dietary control, or drinks excessive cold milk or takes excessive cold medication, it will weaken the baby's spleen and stomach function and cause the stomach qi to move upward, resulting in hiccups. At this time, parents can use methods to promote digestion and relieve stagnation, such as gently massaging the baby's chest and abdomen, allowing the hiccup gas to move downward, or giving them hawthorn water to promote digestion and bowel movement. When the qi flows smoothly, the hiccups will naturally stop.
4. Light hiccups can be relieved by gentle scratching
If the baby only has mild hiccups, you can gently scratch their lips or ears with your fingertips. The nerves around the lips are more sensitive, and scratching can relax the nerves, causing the hiccups to disappear. Be careful not to have long nails while scratching to avoid scratching the baby's delicate skin.
5. Massage for poor digestion
If the baby smells undigested sour or rotten odors when they have hiccups, it indicates that the baby has poor digestion, which easily triggers hiccups. You can gently massage their abdomen or give them hawthorn water to promote digestion, improve stomach health, and relieve gas. When the baby's digestion becomes normal and the gas is relieved, the hiccups will naturally stop.
Warm reminder: If the baby's hiccups last for a long time or occur frequently, I suggest going to a regular hospital for examination to see if there are other reasons causing persistent hiccups. Early detection, prevention, and treatment are important.
