What should I do if I have persistent hiccups?
Disease description:
My baby has just turned one month old, and I’ve noticed that he hiccups very frequently. Once he starts hiccuping, it’s often difficult to stop. Sometimes, severe hiccups even cause him to spit up milk. I’d like to know what to do if hiccups persist.
Doctor's answer (2)
Dr. Lu Chaohui
Hiccups are a common symptom in infants. There are several causes, one of which is the anatomical feature that infants have a very thin diaphragm separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities. When an infant feeds too rapidly or swallows excessive air, the autonomic nervous system may become stimulated, triggering sudden, involuntary spasms of the diaphragm—resulting in hiccups. In such cases, gently stimulating the baby to cry may help stop the hiccups. Additionally, after feeding, hold the baby upright for a short period and gently pat their back.
