Stopping your baby’s hiccups can be something of a challenge. The fact of the matter is that hiccups are a very common and normal thing for babies to experience. At least a part of the reason that babies hiccup is that their neuromuscular system is still immature and developing. In some cases, the reflux that is common in infants can cause your baby’s airway to start to become irritated, or it can even cause a bubble that will make your baby start hiccupping. Once your baby does start to hiccup, he or she may not stop for quite a long time. The good news is that there may be ways to stop your baby’s hiccups.

Gripe water is one product that you might use to try to stop your baby’s hiccups. Gripe water is designed, mainly, to help out a baby that has colic. However, the ingredients contained in gripe water are known to help with a variety of gastrointestinal discomforts, such as those that cause hiccups. One of the main ingredients in gripe water is fennel. Fennel is a safe and natural treatment that has been used for over a century. Fennel helps not only with hiccups, but also with gas and an upset stomach. Another common ingredient in gripe water is sodium bicarbonate. Sodium bicarbonate is useful in that it helps to decrease the acidity of the stomach, which may prevent some of the reflux that causes hiccups, or that makes it painful for the hiccupping baby.

There are other things that you can try doing to stop your baby’s hiccups. One thing that may stop your baby’s hiccups is trying to burp your baby more frequently during feedings. It may be that merely feeding your baby, whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, can help your hiccupping baby. The swallowing and sucking that accompany feeding can help to relax the diaphragm muscle that contracts during hiccups. This is the same principle that adults use when they drink a glass of water to try to stop their own hiccups.

Generally, you don’t have to stop your baby’s hiccups. They will usually disappear within a few minutes or so, and hiccups are usually not considered to be dangerous to your baby either. If your baby is hiccupping for a long time and you cannot stop him or her, or if your baby is struggling with breathing due to hiccups or seems to be in pain, you should consider speaking to your health care provider.

Klinefelter syndrome, sometimes referred to as XXY syndrome or 47,XXY is a genetic condition that affects males.  Most males normally have one X and one Y chromosome; males that have Klinefelter syndrome have one extra copy of the X chromosome.  This chromosomal abnormality can affect sexual development and cause other abnormalities.  Klinefelter syndrome appears in about 1 in 750 males.  More rare are particular variants of Klinefelter syndrome, in which the male has more than just one extra copy of the X chromosome.

Some men with the extra X chromosome present no symptoms and lead normal lives.  Many others, however, may experience a variety of difficulties.  Development of the sexual organs may not proceed normally.  When the testicles do not develop normally, affected males will likely have lower levels of testosterone.  A lack of testosterone can create breast development, infertility, and reduced facial and body hair.

Other problems caused by Klinefelter syndrome can include delayed speech and language development, delayed emotional development, behavioral problems, and increased risk of breast cancer and systemic lupus erythematosus, a chronic inflammatory disease.

Cases in which the male has more than just one extra copy of the X chromosome may cause more severe disabilities, including learning delays, sexual dysfunction, and distorted facial features.

Klinefelter syndrome is not passed on from parent to child.  Instead, it typically occurs as the result of an error in the process of cell division that produces sperm or egg.  There are no known ways to predict whether this error will occur.  Prenatal testing does not typically include screening for Klinefelter syndrome.

Klinefelter Syndrome is typically diagnosed as a boy enters puberty.  Early diagnosis can assist greatly, as any social and developmental problems can be addressed sooner, and appropriate educational interventions can be determined.

The primary treatment for Klinefelter syndrome includes hormone replacement.  Treatment of the symptoms of Klinefelter Syndrome may, for example, include speech therapy for speech and language delays, or counseling and social skills training for behavioral problems.

There are a great number of benefits to getting enough Omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and while you are breast feeding. For example, Omega-3 fatty acids help with the development of the optical nerves. They also help with visual development. Some evidence suggests that Omega-3 fatty acids may even be useful as one part of an overall treatment plan for a woman who is suffering from postpartum depression. There is even some research to suggest that there may be a link between Omega-3 fatty acids and your child’s behavior.

How are Omega-3 fatty acids and your child’s behavior related? Well, it is an established fact that Omega-3 fatty acids aid in the development of the baby’s neurological system. If the neurological system doesn’t develop correctly due to a deficiency in Omega-3 fatty acids, there is the distinct possibility that your child’s brain functions could be impacted. This, in turn, may have a damaging effect on your child’s behavior.

The best way, then, to avoid this problem is to get enough Omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy. There are many specific foods that contain Omega-3 fatty acids. The most abundant natural source of Omega-3 fatty acids is fish. If you don’t like fish, or can’t eat fish for any number of reasons, a simpler way to get enough Omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy is with the use of a variety of types of nutritional supplements. These sorts of nutritional supplements often will contain fish oil.  If you have allergies that might prevent you from using fish oil supplements, there are also flaxseed oil supplements.

As with any supplement, you should speak with your health care provider before beginning Omega-3 fatty acid supplements of any sort.