Is It Safe For Baby To Lie On Back With Hiccups? Answered!

The sound of a baby hiccup is one of the most cutest yet irritating sounds in the world. It is a very common and natural activity of babies and infants. Parents are sometimes concerned about whether it is safe for baby to lie on back with hiccups or if it will harm them in any way.

Depending on the situation, the answer is both yes and no. Hiccups are a natural phenomenon, and if they start, they will naturally stop after a while. In this case, it is safe. However, if you are feeding your baby and they are lying on their back, this position may cause choking, breathing problems, or vomiting. As you can imagine, that can be dangerous to babies.

If you want to know what to do about baby hiccups and what position is safe for babies at that time. Then this article is right for you. Follow along to find out everything about it!

What Might Cause Hiccups In Babies?

Baby hiccups are a reflexive action, and there is no control over them. It exactly works in the same way that sneezing or coughs work. Hiccups occur because of an irritation in the base muscle of the lung, which is the diaphragm. However, according to researchers, various activities can trigger hiccups, though there is no exact reason.

Baby hiccups start pretty early. It starts occurring when babies are still in the uterus. Also, it is a very frequent action in infants, and it is assumed that newborn babies spend almost 2.5 percent of their time doing this. Parents often get worried about this fact. But there is nothing to worry about, and it tends to decrease by the time the baby grows up.

Is It Safe For A Baby To Lie On Back With Hiccups?

Hiccups are very natural and everyday activities for babies. It is safe for them, and they don’t even get disturbed much by it. Babies can lie on their backs very comfortably. But if you are feeding a baby and lying on their back, this situation can be quite dangerous sometimes since hiccups might cause choking while feeding. 

Hiccups can irritate newborns at times. Because of them, toddlers and infants are unable to sleep. They may begin to cry out of frustration if it continues for an extended period. Excessive hiccups can induce insomnia, throat pain, and breathing difficulties.

So, according to recommendations, you should not feed your babies lying on their backs while feeding. Keep a close eye on your baby and how long and frequent hiccups. If it’s leading your baby to breathing problems and suffocation, then you should immediately consult the doctors regarding this. 

How Long Baby Hiccups Last?

Hiccups are a sign of infantile spasms. In the wombs of their mothers, toddlers begin to experience hiccups. The majority of the time, baby hiccups last only a few seconds. It can, however, linger for a few minutes or up to an hour. Some newborns will quit hiccuping when they fall asleep, but others will continue even after falling asleep.

Baby hiccups can occur several times a day. If your baby is happy and comfortable during hiccups, then there is nothing to worry about. But people who become parents for the first time get easily concerned about every little thing their babies do. However, there is nothing to be scared of about baby hiccups. It is a safe, natural activity for infants. 

During feeding and sleeping times, hiccups are a very common sight for babies. Eventually, it will resolve on its own.

What Position Is The Best For Baby Hiccups?

There is no perfect position that can help stop hiccups. If the baby hiccups start while lying on its back, try to place them in a comfortable sitting position and rub their back. It is always recommended to rub the back in a circular motion while hiccupping. And changing position is also a method that is worth trying. 

It diverts their minds when you start to switch their places or play with them. Though it is not always effective, sometimes it might help stop baby hiccups. 

Ways To Stop Baby Hiccups

If your baby is getting irritated or crying because of hiccups, then you should do something to stop it. Hiccups can occur for many reasons, like stress, fear, crying, or frustration. First, try to find out why it is happening. Since they can’t speak, there are simple basic ways to stop baby hiccups. Let’s dive into the methods of how you can stop baby hiccups.

Pacifier

Babies love sucking on a pacifier. It can help alleviate the symptoms of diaphragm spasms, which can produce infant hiccups. Keeping them occupied with a pacifier can help reduce the chances of baby hiccups.

Rubbing Their Back

You can gently rub or pat their back to calm them down. It also helps the babies in diverting their attention and exhaling excess breath. As a result, the hiccups stop occurring.

If your infant starts hiccupping while you’re feeding them, stop feeding them right away. Also, attempt to burp the infant. It will aid in the removal of excess air from the inside.

Don’t Let Them Cry 

If your baby is crying, don’t leave them alone. Try to find the reason why they are crying and calm them down. 

Sometimes hiccups occur due to crying or fear of something. If they are crying too much, try to consult a doctor.

Avoid Heavy Activities

During baby hiccups, avoid throwing them up and catching them or anything similar like this. And let them rest after having a meal for some time. 

Proper Feeding

You have to be very careful about their meals. Don’t let them stay hungry for a long time. And also, let them drink water hourly. It is an effective way to reduce baby hiccups.

These are some helpful ways to handle baby hiccups. But if you can not make them stop even after trying these, get help from a pediatrician. 

Things You Should Never Do

There are a few things you should always be careful about with babies. Many people believe and follow some meaningless and silly rules to stop their hiccups. But these methods end up causing harm to the infants instead of stopping hiccups. 

If you ignore this, it can even lead them to death. Let’s find out these things that you should never do to stop baby hiccups:

Feeding

You should never continue feeding your babies during hiccups. It can cause choking, and food can obstruct the windpipe or throat. 

This way, the airflow will be blocked entirely, and the baby will not breathe. So, when they’re having hiccups, try not to feed your baby.

Smacking Their back

Never smack babies back. You can gently rub their back in a particular circular motion but never try smacking them. Many people believe that this trick helps to stop hiccups. But it is a misconception. 

Baby bones are very infirm and delicate. If you smack or hit them with force, it can cause a severe injury. So this is a bad idea. 

Stopping Breathing

This remedy is another misconception to stop hiccups. People try this remedy, but it is not ideal to stop baby hiccups. Stopping their breath can kill them. So, never try to stop their breath. Give it some time with patience, and it will resolve itself. 

People often follow these remedies to stop hiccups. If you are inspired so much, you can try them on adults but don’t ever think about applying them to the little ones. It can be too dangerous for them.

Conclusion

Moreover, we can say that there is nothing to worry about baby hiccups if your baby is playful and comfortable with them. We hope this article helped you understand whether is it safe for baby to lie on back with hiccups. And also what you should do to handle the situation. 

Well, parenting is also a learning stage. You will slowly learn everything about your baby, from their hiccups to their giggles. All the best for this special journey!