We all experience hiccups every once in awhile, but, when your baby starts hiccuping, it may worry you. According to MediLexicon, a hiccup is a noise produced by the spasmodic closing of the glottis due to sudden inhalation of air. It is interesting to know that babies not only hiccup after they are born, but also they do experience these reflexes when they are in the womb. Hiccups are normal reflex actions and not a serious health concern.
Prenatal Hiccups
TheLaborOfLove.com states that fetal hiccups have not been researched that extensively; however, fetal breathing seems to be the most plausible reason for in utero hiccups. It is important to note that only a fetus of 13 or above weeks can have hiccups, because, by that time, the fetus has a moderately developed central nervous system. The major reason why fetuses hiccup is because the diaphragm contracts when the amniotic fluid moves in an out of the lungs of the fetus. There is no reason to worry if you feel your baby hiccuping in the womb, unless you feel something else is wrong.
GERD Hiccups
MedlinePlus says that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition often found in babies where the contents of the stomach move back up into the esophagus. This is contrary to the normal downward movement of food and causes irritation to the esophagus, causing hiccups. If your baby is suffering from GERD, apart from vomiting, coughing and spitting, she might also have frequent bouts of hiccups. Again, there is no reason to worry, as most babies outgrow this condition that rarely requires treatment, says KidsHealth.org.
Excited Hiccups
After eating, infants often become excited, which can cause or induce hiccups. It is the reflex action of sudden excitement that the baby is experiencing. In this situation, the muscles of the diaphragm may get irritated or stimulated, resulting in sudden contractions of the diaphragm, causing the onset of hiccups. Usually, a bout of hiccups lasts from a few minutes to a few hours. If your baby often develops hiccups while eating, you can continue feeding her.
Air Hiccups
Babies tend to swallow air, rather than breathe it. This swallowed air, when bounced from the diaphragm, causes hiccups. The sudden contraction of the diaphragm muscles releases a gulp of air through the windpipe, forcing it to close. Hence, the vocal cords shut down or collapse, which produces the hiccup sound.
Care for Hiccups
Whatever the reason, hiccups do not cause any harm and subside if the baby is left to relax. Baby hiccups diminish in frequency and intensity as the organs start to mature and grow. Dr. Richard Garcia, M.D., a pediatrician at the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio, as noted on BabyandPregnancy.com, says that little scientific data is available to shed light on the causes of hiccups in babies and adults. However, allowing your baby to relax and patting her on the back can reduce the rate of hiccups and help her overcome this annoying body reflex action.
