Hiccups are one of the most common things that happen to children and adults alike. Most of the time, it goes away on its own. However, sometimes, it stays for long, especially for kids. We can all agree that it can be quite annoying when it decides to wait its time out before going away. Hiccups usually happen when you eat too fast, inhale lots of air, drink carbonated beverages, or are under some kind of stress. Fortunately, there are some natural remedies to stop hiccups, which you can try if your kids experience it again.
Ask your child to hold their breath
This is the most common natural remedy that tends to stop hiccups in kids and adults alike. Simply ask your little one to take a deep breath, hold it for 15-20 seconds (or more if they can), and then breathe again. You can try this method twice or thrice if it does not work the first time.
If your child is unable to hold their breath for long, practice measured breathing. Breathe in for a count of five and out for another count of five. This technique of slow measured breathing can help stop your kids’ hiccups.
Give your kid chamomile, fennel, or peppermint tea
Give your kids these herbal teas to stop hiccups naturally. Chamomile, fennel, or peppermint are considered to be some of the best and safest herbs for relieving the muscle spasms that cause hiccups. Your child doesn’t need to drink an entire cup of tea. They just have to take a few sips till the hiccups stop. Make sure not to hand your toddlers tea that is too hot to avoid any accidents.
Apply light pressure on your child’s upper stomach area
If you are not too confident about the tea, try this natural remedy instead. Gently press on your child’s upper stomach area in quick downward movements, making sure the movement coincides with the hiccup. This can be tricky due to the unpredictability of hiccups but do give it a try. However, do not apply too much pressure, especially on toddlers.
Let your kid swallow sugar to stop hiccups
Let your kids have the time of their lives and indulge in some sweet treat by swallowing a teaspoon of sugar to stop their hiccups. Mamas, before you shoot down the idea due to the fear of having to deal with the sugar rush afterward, remember it is food for a cause. So, don’t hesitate to try this natural remedy every now and then to stop your kid’s hiccups. However, don’t use it often enough that your little ones end up hooked to sugar.
Ask your child to drink cold water to stop hiccups
Ask your child to drink a glass of cold water as quickly as possible. This will trick their brain and they may stop having hiccups. You can also try this with regular water. Giving ice cubes to your kids, to suck on them, is also one of the natural remedies to try to stop hiccups.
However, be mindful not to give ice cubes to babies or toddlers as they are choking hazards. Moreover, if your tween is trying out this method, be there to guide them and quickly intervene if things take an ugly turn.
Make your kid breathe into a paper bag to stop their hiccups
You might be doubtful about this method at first, but we can guarantee this natural remedy works almost always. Make your child sit on a couch or chair with a paper bag and ask them to inhale and exhale into the bag 10 to 15 times. When your kid does this, they create a concentration of carbon dioxide inside the paper bag, triggering their body to look for fresh air. This in turn tricks their brain into stopping the hiccups.
Lastly, if nothing seems to work, have a little fun and tickle your kids to see if that does the trick. Alternatively, you can simply wait it out and let the hiccups naturally go away. However, if the hiccups don’t stop within a few hours or your kid is feeling some discomfort along with the hiccups, consult your medical professional immediately to learn the root cause.
