The Do's and Don'ts of Stopping Hiccups in Babies

Mommies and daddies often find baby hiccups (sinok) adorable, but when they happen too often and don’t seem to stop, they can’t help but worry. Here are some tips kung paano mawala ang sinok ng baby.

Why Do Baby Hiccups Happen?

Before we discuss the steps kung paano mawala ang sinok ng baby, let’s first explain why they occur.

According to experts, hiccups or sinok happen when the diaphragm, the dome-shaped muscle below the lungs, involuntarily spasms or contracts. The contractions trigger the vocal cords to close very briefly, causing the cute “hic!” sounds.

Please keep in mind that newborns and infants frequently experience sinok. The exact reason why they are more common in babies is still unclear, but it might have something to do with stomach gas. You see, gas may cause the tummy to expand and rub against the diaphragm, producing hiccups.

4 Tips Kung Paano Mawala ang Sinok ng Baby

Here’s the good news: sinok generally does not bother babies; not only are they self-limiting, but your little one can sleep and eat through them, too.

However, if you want to stop their hiccups, you can consider the following tips:

1. Burp Your Baby

In many cases, burping the baby helps with hiccups as it gets rid of excess air.

Experts recommend burping the baby after each feeding; but if you think it would help, burping may be done during feeding sessions. For instance, if you’re breastfeeding, have a burp break before you switch sides. For bottle-feeding, consider burping them after 2 to 3 ounces of milk.

2. Rub Their Back

Another tip kung paano mawala ang sinok ng baby is to rub their back.

This not only helps them relax (which may ease diaphragm spasms) but also aids in releasing excess air.

3. Give Them a Pacifier

Giving your little one a pacifier sometimes helps in stopping hiccup attacks.

Experts explain that the sucking motion is relaxing to the baby and it might help stop diaphragm spasms.

4. Change Their Position

If your little one’s hiccups start during feeding, consider changing their position. According to doctors, setting them upright is a good position to prevent them from taking in air.

Things You Shouldn’t Do

The “unique” ways by which adults try to stop hiccups may be harmful to babies. For this reason, never pull their tongue out, force them to hold their breath by pinching their nose and covering their mouth, or purposely scare them to make hiccups disappear.

Also, be careful with some “traditional” tips kung paano mawala ang sinok ng baby, like placing a piece of thread or paper on the baby’s forehead. These may seem harmless at first, but your little one may grab the thread or paper and put it in their mouth.

Additionally, be careful with gripe water, a blend of herbs, which manufacturers say can help with colic and tummy troubles. While many brands of gripe water are safe, always consult a pediatrician first before giving it to your baby.

Finally, don’t forget that babies under 6 months old should never have anything other than formula or breast milk.

When To Bring Your Baby to the Doctor

Like mentioned earlier, hiccups are generally harmless and self-limiting. If your baby’s hiccups appear to cause them pain or they interrupt your baby’s sleep and feeding, bring them to the doctor for further assessment.

Likewise, consult a pediatrician if their sinok are accompanied by vomiting; this might indicate acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The other signs of GERD include:

Key Takeaways

Sinok or hiccups in babies are usually not a cause of concern unless they come with other symptoms like pain or vomiting. If you’re looking for tips kung paano mawala ang sinok ng baby, consider burping them during or after feeding sessions. Changing their position, giving them a pacifier, and rubbing their back might also help.

Learn more about Baby Care here.