How to relieve hiccups in babies

Hiccups in babies are usually caused by swallowing excessive air, which is common in newborns and infants and typically harmless. The following are some methods to help relieve baby hiccups: 1. Acupressure massage: When a baby has hiccups, parents can use two fingers (index and middle finger) to gently massage the baby's Neiguan (P6) and Waiguan (SJ5) acupoints to quickly stop the hiccups. 2. Drinking warm water: If hiccups persist due to inhaling cold air, giving the baby some warm water and keeping the chest and abdomen warm may help alleviate the hiccups. 3. Pressing the soles of the feet: Gently tapping or squeezing the baby's soles to make the baby cry may stop the hiccups, as crying can halt diaphragm contractions. 4. Abdominal massage: If hiccups are caused by indigestion, massaging the baby's abdomen can promote gastrointestinal motility, aid digestion and absorption, and relieve hiccups. 5. Back patting massage: Hold the baby upright and gently pat the baby's back to stop hiccups. Alternatively, use the fingertip to push straight from the nape of the baby's neck to the prominent area of the seventh cervical vertebra, repeating this motion more than 20 times, which may help stop the hiccups.