Hiccups in babies are common. It's no secret that this process is a contraction of the diaphragm. As for the mechanism of occurrence of such a reflex and its causes, here scientists have not yet come to a consensus. In some cases, hiccups are natural, while sometimes they can signal a number of diseases and abnormalities.
Hiccups in babies and its causes
Such a reflex can occur for various reasons. Here are just the most common ones:
- Quite often this process is the result of swallowing air. In this case, the walls of the stomach stretch and put pressure on the ends of the vagus nerve, which in turn leads to contractions of the diaphragm. Therefore, you need to carefully monitor that during feeding the baby does not swallow air. Doctors advise learning how to properly attach the baby to the breast, and if he is bottle-fed, then select the appropriate nipples.
- In some cases, hiccups in babies may indicate intense thirst and drying of the mucous membranes.
- Often, such reflex activity begins due to emotional overstrain. For example, the baby may be frightened by a sharp loud sound, intense light, etc.
- Hiccups can also occur from hypothermia.
Hiccups in babies: when to worry?
Unfortunately, such a process is not always so harmless. Often, attacks of reflex activity may indicate various diseases. So what are the symptoms to look out for?
- Normal hiccups go away in 10-15 minutes. If the attacks last more than an hour, then you should be worried.
- Show your child to the doctor if the attacks occur several times a day, and for no apparent reason.
- Pay attention to how the child behaves. If the baby is restless, sleeps poorly, often cries, then this may 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 the pediatrician is unlikely to hurt.
Hiccups in babies and possible complications
Long attacks may indicate a host 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.
Hiccups are often the result of diseases of various parts of the digestive system, including the intestines, pancreas andliver. Often this sign signals parasitic diseases, although this is rare in the first months of life.
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 any disease is found as a result of the examination, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment.
And, of course, do not forget about precautions - make sure that the newborn baby eats properly, maintain the optimum temperature in the room and do not forget that the baby needs to drink, even if he is breastfed.
