baby hiccups

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Dec 18, 2005

From one mom to another, I give my daughter an ounce of cool or lukewarm water. If that didn't work, I would give her the pacifier-that would usually help.

Simba&NalasMom, LPN · Dec 18, 2005

I'm not a mom myself but am a chronic hic-upper; ugh. I've found that what mostly triggers them in me is swallowing too much too fast (one theory is that hic-ups are caused by overstimulation of the phrenic nerve). Is he feeding from bottles? It could be that he's gulping too much air; make sure he's as upright as possible and maybe (if you're not doing this already) use those angled bottles (Playtex? Like I said, I'm not a mom LOL) that are supposed to reduce air swallowing. That's all I can think of off the top of my head...poor little guy; hope you get some good tips here.

Alibaba · Dec 18, 2005

thanks..

He's breastfeeding, and I've tried the water thing and it doesn't work. I wonder if anyone else has other ideas....

Sleepy_Princess · Dec 18, 2005

Hiccups can be a sign of a GI problem, so you might mention it to the pediatrician the next time you visit. My daughter has GERD, and she hiccups constantly because her diaphragm is irritated. She gets them at least three times a day, and they usually last 30 minutes to an hour. Her GI specialist assures me that they aren't painful... Just really annoying. I don't have any tricks to get rid of them, but a pacifier does tend to help.

t2000JC · Dec 18, 2005

NICU nurse here...we sometimes tell parents to feed the baby a little bit of breastmilk or formula and then burp. it's usually ok for babies to hiccup though, but if it really bothers maybe ask your pedi at the next visit? t.

fergus51 · Dec 18, 2005

NICU nurse #2 here: If it's only hiccups, the best cure is time. They're annoying, but not a problem.

prmenrs, RN · Dec 18, 2005

I always suggested getting the baby to suck and swallow.

Dan's Sunshine · Dec 18, 2005

My baby had hiccups everyday in utero and all the time after he was born. I used gripe water. Works every time.

Alibaba · Dec 19, 2005

Thanks everyone. And maybe y'all are right...it's more upsetting to me than the baby. That is the second time I've heard gripe water mentioned. What is that stuff and can I buy at any regular Kroger/albertsons?? Thanks.. I knew this was the right place to ask :)

Hooligan · Dec 19, 2005

Hmmm....I thought giving a breast-feeding baby water was a no-no? Not too sure on this...I bottle fed due to preemie latching problems but my good friend was a breast feeder and was told NO water for her baby. Perhaps that was just to keep her supply up...somone else here I'm sure would know better.

Anyway, to get to your question...my DD used to get them all the time...in utero and out. The NICU nurses told me to just feed her and they'd go away...and they did. It worked every time so there must be something to the suck/swallow theory. My daughter is now 9 months old and grew out her hiccup spells. She now only gets them on occasion but used to get them once a day at least! Good Luck and congratulations!!!!

10ACGIRL · Dec 19, 2005

I posted this on the pedi forum,,but it's not very active right now. For all the nurses and the moms out there, what are some tricks of the trade to help relieve baby hiccups? Not to sound insane, but this is a first baby **cute cute**, I work LTC and had very brief encounters with babies in school so it just freaks me out when he starts hiccuping and it just seems like his ribs are being overworked. (I know we are not physicians,, so am not asking for medical adivise, just tricks from the moms out there and the nurses who have pointers) Thanks!!!

My Grandma said that she would give sugar water to my mom and that would cure it. She did that with me and I also would give Matt the same also when he would get them.