Hiccups in babies and its causes

Hiccups in infants are common. It's no secret that this process is a contraction of the diaphragm. As for the mechanism of the appearance of such a reflex and its causes, scientists have not yet come to a common opinion. In some cases, hiccups are natural, while sometimes it can signal a number of diseases and abnormalities.

Hiccups in infants and its causes

Such a reflex can arise for various reasons. Here are just the most common of them:

• Quite often this process is the result of ingestion of air. In this case, the walls of the stomach stretch and press on the end of the vagus nerve, which in turn leads to contractions of the diaphragm. Therefore, care must be taken so that during the feeding the baby does not swallow the air. Doctors advise to learn how to properly put the baby to the breast, and if he is on artificial feeding, then select the appropriate nipples.
• In some cases, hiccups in infants can indicate a strong thirst and drying of the mucous membranes.
• Often, such reflex activity begins because of emotional overstrain. For example, a kid may be afraid of a loud loud sound, intense light, etc.
• Hiccups can also arise from hypothermia.

Hiccup in the baby: when you need to worry?

Unfortunately, such a process is not always so harmless. Quite often attacks of reflex activity can testify about various diseases. So which symptoms are worth paying attention to?

• Normally, the hiccup passes in 10 - 15 minutes. If the seizures last more than an hour, then it's worth worrying.
• Show the child to the doctor if the seizures occur several times a day, and without any apparent reason.
• Pay attention to how the child behaves. If the baby is restless, does not sleep well, often cries, then this can indicate a violation in the body.

Of course, the presence of the above signs does not always indicate the presence of the disease. But a visit to a pediatrician is unlikely to hurt.

Hiccups in infants and possible complications

Prolonged seizures can indicate a mass of diseases. For example, quite often they are a sign of damage to the central nervous system, which is common among children with hypoxia and other intrauterine pathologies.

Often hiccups are the result of diseases of various parts of the digestive system, including the intestines, pancreas and liver. Often, this sign signals about parasitic diseases, although in the first months of life this is rare.

In some cases, hiccups in infants appear on the background of pneumonia or inflammation of the diaphragm caused by a viral or bacterial infection. In any case, in order to determine the cause, the baby will have to undergo a series of diagnostic tests. If, as a result of the examination, a disease is found, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment.

And, of course, do not forget about precautions - make sure that the newborn baby is eating properly, keep the room at an optimum temperature and do not forget that the baby needs a drink, even if he is breastfeeding.