Hiccups are involuntary, uncontrollable contractions of the diaphragm. The sound of the hiccup is produced when the spasm of the diaphragm causes the glottis at the back of the throat to close during inhalation. A newborn baby hiccups often. This is normal and will not bother him. The cause of these short hiccup episodes is not known. Prolonged or recurrent episodes may be caused by swelling a hot or irritating substance.
Hiccups are not usually serious. If your baby has short episodes of hiccups do nothing. They will go away naturally. If your older child is irritated by hiccups, the best remedies involve making the lungs work harder. Have your child hold his breath to the count of 10, or have him breathe into a paper bag, then rebreathe the air from the bag "don't use a plastic bag", or have your child drink a glass of water rapidly. Other remedies include having your child swallow dry bread, crushed ice or a teaspoon of dry sugar.
Conult your doctor if your child's hiccups persist longer than 8 hours. Doctors will examine your child and he may prescribe a mild tranquilizer or sedative to ease recurrent attacks of hiccups. Don't fuss if your baby has hiccups. They will not upset him.
Answered by
bijeeta
at
Mar 23, 2010 05:59 AM
