Gas and Hiccups
Babies can be quite gassy. Fortunately, most of the time this gas is not bothersome to them. But, if you feel your baby is having discomfort from gas, there are some things to offer him/her relief. Try the following: lay your baby flat on his/her back and move leg in bicycling motion, or give a gentle tummy massage. Simethicone gas drops (Mylicon, Little Remedies for Tummys) may also offer some relief.
To try and prevent gas, increase the frequency of burping. Try burping midway through a feeding rather than just at the end of a feeding. If you are using powdered formula, make sure to allow a freshly mixed bottle to "settle" a bit before feeding. Excessive shaking of formula may result in more air bubbles and thus, more swallowed air and gas. If you are breastfeeding, try to determine if certain foods in your diet might be contributing to the gas. Foods that tend to cause gas include garlic, onions, beans, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, caffeine, and spicy foods.
Hiccups are very common in babies. Most babies are not bothered by hiccups. Hiccups do not require any treatment and will eventually resolve without intervention.