Key Takeaways
- Baby hiccups are extremely common and almost always harmless
- They're caused by diaphragm spasms — the same muscle adults use to breathe
- Most hiccup episodes stop on their own within 5–10 minutes
- Frequent hiccups combined with spitting up, arching, or crying may indicate reflux
Your newborn has been hiccupping for what feels like an hour, and you're wondering if something is wrong. Take a deep breath — baby hiccups are one of the most common (and most harmless) things newborns do. In fact, babies hiccup more than adults, and they've been practicing since before they were born.
Why Do Babies Get Hiccups?
Hiccups happen when the diaphragm — the dome-shaped muscle below the lungs — contracts involuntarily. This sudden contraction causes a quick intake of air, and the vocal cords snap shut, producing the familiar "hic" sound.
See also: Baby Sweating While Sleeping: Causes & When to Worry and How to Swaddle a Baby: Step-by-Step Guide & When to Stop.
Common triggers
- Overfeeding — a full stomach presses against the diaphragm
- Eating too fast — swallowing air along with milk
- Sudden temperature changes — cold air or a cold bottle can trigger the reflex
- Excitement or stress — strong emotions can cause diaphragm spasms
- Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) — stomach acid irritating the diaphragm (in persistent cases)
In newborns, the nervous system is still immature, which is why the diaphragm is more easily triggered. As your baby grows, hiccups become less frequent.
How to Stop Baby Hiccups
Most of the time, the best approach is to wait it out. Hiccups don't bother babies nearly as much as they bother parents. But if you want to help:
- Burp your baby — if hiccups start during a feeding, pause and burp. Releasing trapped air can stop the spasms
- Offer a pacifier — sucking can relax the diaphragm and stop hiccups
- Let them nurse or take a small feed — the swallowing rhythm can reset the diaphragm
- Change position — hold baby upright for a few minutes
- Rub their back gently — can help relax the diaphragm muscle
What NOT to do
Never try adult hiccup remedies on a baby: no startling, no holding their breath, no pulling their tongue, no pressing on their eyeballs (yes, that's an old folk remedy). These are dangerous for infants.
How to Prevent Hiccups
- Feed smaller amounts more frequently — prevents the stomach from getting too full
- Burp during and after feeds — every 2–3 oz (60–90ml) for bottle-fed babies, or when switching breasts
- Keep baby upright after feeding — 15–20 minutes helps digestion and reduces reflux
- Check bottle nipple flow — if milk flows too fast, baby swallows more air. Use a slow-flow nipple for newborns
- Feed before baby is desperately hungry — a frantic baby gulps air along with milk
Hiccups in the Womb
If you felt rhythmic, repetitive movements during pregnancy — like a tiny pulse in your belly — those were likely fetal hiccups. Babies start hiccupping in the womb as early as the first trimester, though most mothers feel them in the second and third trimesters.
Fetal hiccups are thought to help develop the breathing muscles and are a sign of normal neurological development. They're completely harmless and usually last a few minutes.
When to Call Your Pediatrician
Hiccups alone are almost never a concern. But talk to your doctor if:
- Hiccups are very frequent (multiple times a day, every day) and seem to cause distress
- They're accompanied by excessive spitting up, arching the back, or crying during feeds — this may indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Hiccups interfere with feeding or sleeping regularly
- Your baby seems to be in pain during hiccup episodes
- Hiccups don't decrease as your baby gets older (they should become less frequent after 6–12 months)
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician for concerns about your baby's health or development.
