How do you get rid of hiccups?
July 11th 2007 03:39
There are a number of things that Mackensie does that make us, as a family, laugh. Not at her, you understand, just with her … I’m sure that if she were capable of laughing then she would be giggling right along with us.
(Well, maybe not when this is happening to her but, well, we’ll get to that …
... I’m not making sense? Waffling?
Tough!! I’m tired so get over it.)
The ‘this’ I’m talking about is hiccuping.
Poor Mackensie hates to Hiccup.
Hates it with a passion.
And the poor thing gets hiccups at least two or three times a day, if not more.
However, this littlest daughter of mine doesn’t do things by half … not only does she suffer with recurring hiccups, she gets them so violently that she can be heard even when you’re not in the same room as her …
… hence the introduction of a nickname. Mackensie is now known as Poppy, particularly when she is popping away with hiccups.
Now, I can see you all, shaking your heads in disgust and wondering what sort of terrible parent would laugh and giggle and snort (occasionally) at her littlest daughter’s affliction. What sort of parent would get pleasure from a seven week old baby’s discomfort?
You’d understand if you could hear her.
I’m not kidding … she is so loud. So what you end up with is violently loud pops accompanied by little whinges and the occasional cry-pop. Yes sometimes she even manages to give a little cry and pop both at the same time.
Very impressive and (sorry Poppy) rather funny too.
Oh … and when she gets hiccups and does a poo at the same time (which happens quite a lot since both tend to occur after feeding) we call her Poppy MacWhiffy.
If she’s in a bad mood she gets Poppy MacStroppy.
Oh the possibilities are endless!!!
So, what are hiccups? And why do they affect many babies quite violently?
Hiccups happen when the diaphragm contracts suddenly at the same time as the epiglottis closes spasmodically. Air sucked in when the diaphragm contracts hits the closed epiglottis and produces the easily recognisable popping noise. Your diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that separates the lungs and abdomen, the epiglottis is a flap of tissue at the back of your throat used to close off the voicebox and windpipe while swallowing.
The causes of hiccups are wide-ranging, however no-one really knows exactly why certain things bring them on. Triggers include:
• eating too fast
• hot, spicy food (especially if eaten too fast)
• excessive alcohol consumption
• smoking
• stress
So why would Mac suffer so often? Simply because babies have immature bodies. Her diaphragm and epiglottis haven’t quite worked out the most efficient way for them to do the jobs they have to do and, in consequence, Mac gets the hiccups.
So how do you get rid of the hiccups once they start?
Well, there are over three hundred supposed cures of the hiccups including:
• holding your breath
• breathing in and out of a paper bag
• drinking icy water or crushed ice
• gargling
• standing on your head while drinking a glass of water.
There is no one cure of hiccups, what works for one person may not work for another. Mac’s lucky in that, although they come on very easily, they can also be dealt with very fast as well. A quick feed always does the trick.
However, if you get the hiccups, you may not have a milky breast handy to suck on, so how do you get rid of these pesky pops? And how effective is your method?
(Well, maybe not when this is happening to her but, well, we’ll get to that …
... I’m not making sense? Waffling?
Tough!! I’m tired so get over it.)
The ‘this’ I’m talking about is hiccuping.
Poor Mackensie hates to Hiccup.
Hates it with a passion.
And the poor thing gets hiccups at least two or three times a day, if not more.
However, this littlest daughter of mine doesn’t do things by half … not only does she suffer with recurring hiccups, she gets them so violently that she can be heard even when you’re not in the same room as her …
… hence the introduction of a nickname. Mackensie is now known as Poppy, particularly when she is popping away with hiccups.
Now, I can see you all, shaking your heads in disgust and wondering what sort of terrible parent would laugh and giggle and snort (occasionally) at her littlest daughter’s affliction. What sort of parent would get pleasure from a seven week old baby’s discomfort?
You’d understand if you could hear her.
I’m not kidding … she is so loud. So what you end up with is violently loud pops accompanied by little whinges and the occasional cry-pop. Yes sometimes she even manages to give a little cry and pop both at the same time.
Very impressive and (sorry Poppy) rather funny too.
Oh … and when she gets hiccups and does a poo at the same time (which happens quite a lot since both tend to occur after feeding) we call her Poppy MacWhiffy.
If she’s in a bad mood she gets Poppy MacStroppy.
Oh the possibilities are endless!!!
So, what are hiccups? And why do they affect many babies quite violently?
Hiccups happen when the diaphragm contracts suddenly at the same time as the epiglottis closes spasmodically. Air sucked in when the diaphragm contracts hits the closed epiglottis and produces the easily recognisable popping noise. Your diaphragm is a sheet of muscle that separates the lungs and abdomen, the epiglottis is a flap of tissue at the back of your throat used to close off the voicebox and windpipe while swallowing.
The causes of hiccups are wide-ranging, however no-one really knows exactly why certain things bring them on. Triggers include:
• eating too fast
• hot, spicy food (especially if eaten too fast)
• excessive alcohol consumption
• smoking
• stress
So why would Mac suffer so often? Simply because babies have immature bodies. Her diaphragm and epiglottis haven’t quite worked out the most efficient way for them to do the jobs they have to do and, in consequence, Mac gets the hiccups.
So how do you get rid of the hiccups once they start?
Well, there are over three hundred supposed cures of the hiccups including:
• holding your breath
• breathing in and out of a paper bag
• drinking icy water or crushed ice
• gargling
• standing on your head while drinking a glass of water.
There is no one cure of hiccups, what works for one person may not work for another. Mac’s lucky in that, although they come on very easily, they can also be dealt with very fast as well. A quick feed always does the trick.
However, if you get the hiccups, you may not have a milky breast handy to suck on, so how do you get rid of these pesky pops? And how effective is your method?
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Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
Apparently babies don't feel the same discomfort that adults feel when they have the hiccups. I wonder if there is a conspiracy to say that to mothers so they don't worry....
I have no full proof method to get rid of adult hiccups.
I usually try all the suggestions you mentioned. None of them every worked with great regularity for me.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Well, I haven't had one failure using breastfeeding ... yet!!
I'd heard that babies aren't discomforted too. Whether she is uncomfortable or just doesn't like them for another reason (maybe they annoy her) I don't know but she does get whingy whenever they hit.
Thankfully it's always short-lived.
Thanks for dropping in.
A. xx
Comment by David
I never thought of trying breast-feeding. Thanks for the tip.
But seriously? Whenever I do get hiccups / hiccoughs? The method I use gets rid of them every time, and very rapidly.
From a standing position, bend right over, and and drink a glass of water from the reverse (or far) side of the glass. (I've never had to drink more than two glasses to get rid of them, regardless of how violent they were).
David ...
PS: If these are a couple of the main causes?:
• smoking
It's a wonder I don't have them all the time.
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I've heard that sqashing the offending body parts (diaphragm etc) is an effective way of getting rid of hiccups. Good to hear it does work.
Damn, that's a photo opportunity if I get Mac to do as you suggest!
David ... you don't smoke and drink, do you!!???!? I'd never have known!!
Have a great night!
A. xx
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I can see how that actually would be funny to hear Mackensie crying and hiccuping at the same time!!!
I do the water thing too. I don't bend over, but I do drink from the opposite side of the glass and take slow sips/mouthfuls.
Usually works for me. Thank goodness, cos I really hate the hiccups!
Kylie
Comment by David
It was the typos that gave the drinking away, wasn't it?
Don't teach little McBloggette to do tricks. Never forget Ronald McDonald is a clown. Seriously, Maccas will only put more pressure on you to use her for promos.
David ...
Comment by Always Eighteen
Always Eighteen
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
Put a spoon in a short glass and fill the glass with water.
Now while the spoon is in the glass, press the end of the spoon between your eyebrows as hard as you can stand it and drink all of the water in the glass while pressing.
Repeat if necessary (I've never had to)
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
I hate hiccups too. Thankfully I don't get them very often but I do find them extremely difficult to get rid of.
I must try the drinking one next time ... sounds like the best option so far.
Catch you soon.
A.
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
That bloody clown can keep his dirty hands off her! Honestly ... what these people will do to sell a burger...!
A xx
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Apparently there's a bloke in America who has been hiccuping for 43 years non-stop. Now that's got to be annoying!
Thanks for stopping by, AE.
A.
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Wow ... and you reckon it works every time? That one is definitely going on my list (although I don't think I'll get my daughter trying it).
It must be a funny sight when your bar customers get hiccups ... all of them sitting at the bar with spoons pushed into their foreheads!
That'll teach them not to drink their beer so fast.
Thanks for dropping in.
A.
Comment by Candice
I remember we debated this one in our mum's group once. We all agreed that despite what the health nurses say baby's do get upset by their hiccups.
As for getting rid of hiccups I try the holding breath (only works if you try this as soon as getting the hiccups), if that doesn't work I try to get someone to give me a fright (the hard part being that you have to be unprepared for it), third try is the paper bag trick.
I once had hiccups for two years (got them just before the stoke of midnight on New Year's Eve - definitely related to the drinking!)
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
I hear giving people a fright works a trick - although I`m not sure giving a seven week old a fright would do the trick - is she really seven weeks old Andrea??? my word how time flies!!!!!
LMAO @ myself - I read D`s comment as ELBOWS instead of EYEBROWS - yeah myeye batteries have stopped functioning! - I was think WHAAAATTT?
some purdy good ideas here - poor Poppy I hope she gets come relief soon!
ash
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
And if the paper bag doesn't work? Just have a nother drink (or three) and try to forget about them.
Take care, CAndice.
A. xx
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Damn you woman, you scared me!!!
You're right, Ash, time certainly flies, especially with a little one in the house.
'See' you soon Ash.
A.
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
So you go through all the names of people who might be thinking of you and when your hiccups stop, the name said just before they stopped...that's who is thinking of you.
Never fails.
...and more times than not...uncannily true.
Of course the reason why they really stop is because you then focus on something other than the hiccups and your body relaxes and stops 'spasming'. And it's psychosomatic.
...but I like the "someone is thinking of you" story. Not quite sure how it's related...
Not sure how Mac will go with the reciting of all the names of people who may be thinking of her...but hey...you could do it!
I like Poppy!
much warmth Cara...
Dusk
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Oh God ... you mean I'm causing this by thinking about her? Now I feel really guilty.
When I was growing up we had a cat called Poppy, a beautiful Tortoiseshell and White. Every time I call Mac Poppy I think of our old cat.
Damn ... maybe Poppy-cat gets a lot of hiccups too!
Big hugs dear friend
xxxxoooxooxx
Comment by Christy
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
First of all, boyfriends will laugh at anything, cruel beasts that they are.
Holding nose while drinking, huh? Definitely worth a try.
Thanks for dropping in.
A.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Another one to add to the collection. I hadn't heard of that one before!!
Good luck with that!
A.
Comment by Anonymous
I stumbled across this page last night in the middle of a horrible fit of hiccups. I had tried all the water drinking ones, they usually work but last night just left me sloshy.
So when I read that breastfeeding works for your babies, I thought maybe sucking on something would work. So I tried sucking on my finger and it worked immediately!!! LOL So thank your babies for the great advice.
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Never thought of it that way before. Next time I'll find something to suck!
Thanks for your comment.
A.
Comment by Anonymous
drinking out of a glass on the opposite side of where you normally drink works a treat but obviously your baby is too young to do that. also ive heard squashing the diaphragm in stops contractions of the muscles.
sucking on your finger helps too. works really well for my nephew whos only 7 months old.
Comment by Andrea
Diet and Health
V8 Supercar Pitstop
Well, I reckon sucking seems to have taken the prize on this one. Thanks for dropping in.
A.