why do babies get hiccups

Babies get hiccups primarily because of spasms or contractions of their diaphragm, a muscle that helps with breathing. These spasms cause a sudden intake of air that leads to the vocal cords closing quickly, creating the characteristic "hic" sound. In babies, hiccups often occur due to feeding- related reasons such as eating too much, eating too quickly, or swallowing air, which causes the stomach to expand and press against the diaphragm, triggering these spasms. Hiccups can also happen in babies even before birth, while they are still in the womb, as part of their normal development and muscle reflexes. Although hiccups can appear uncomfortable or startling, they generally do not cause pain or harm to babies and are a normal part of their growth and development.