Q: Please Doc, What Causes Excessive Hiccup In New Born Babies And The Remedies? Thank you.

A: Hiccups refer to involuntary contractions of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the thin muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen. This is followed by sudden closure of the vocal chords with the resulting hiccup sound at the top of the windpipe.

Hiccups are quite common in babies under one year of age but can affect any age group. They usually occur without provocation and last for a few minutes before disappearing. These episodes in older age groups may be linked to:

• Eating or drinking too quickly (in which case a lot of gas/air is taken in)
• Smoking
• Drinking alcohol
• Drinking fizzy or hot drinks
• Sucking on candy

In babies, hiccups are usually due to feeding (breast feeding, formula or any other foods) and usually more of a nuisance to you, the parent…