Are hiccups and sneezes normal?
Hiccups are common in babies, especially in those who hiccupped before they were born, while in the womb (uterus). The exact cause is not known, but they are thought to be a normal reflex, probably due to immaturity of the nervous system. Hiccups in fetuses (babies still in the womb) may help to strengthen the diaphragm muscle and prepare the fetus for breathing. During the first few months, hiccups often occur after meals. Hiccups usually go away within a few minutes and cause no discomfort to the baby. If your baby’s hiccups bother you, try burping your baby more frequently during feedings. Most babies sneeze frequently, but not because they have a cold. Sneezing is a normal reflex that helps to remove mucus from the nose and lungs. Sneezing is especially common during the first few days after birth, when newborns still have some amniotic fluid in their lungs, leftover from their months in the uterus.
