Unlocking the Mystery of Hiccups in Newborns

A new study shows those alarming contractions may be beneficial to newborn brain development.

Hiccups can worry every new parent. But, a recent study at the University College of London and published in the journal Clinical Neurophysiology suggest that hiccups — the strong contractions or spasms of the diaphragm caused by irritation or stimulation of the muscle — can trigger electrical activity in the brain which help babies learn how to regulate their breathing.

The study also found that hiccups actually start in the womb, as early as nine weeks. Premature babies are also particularly prone to hiccups — they spend approximately 15 minutes a day hiccupping. Read the full article at Smart Parenting


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