How Can You Get Rid Of Newborn Hiccups? | Calm Tips

What Newborn Hiccups Are

Hiccups are brief spasms of the diaphragm with a tiny close of the vocal cords, which makes the classic “hic.” Newborns hiccup a lot because their feeding rhythm and tiny stomachs are still getting the hang of things. Most bouts fade on their own and don’t bother the baby.

If your little one is content, you don’t need to stop the episode. If hiccups keep breaking feeds or naps, the steps below usually help.

Getting Rid Of Baby Hiccups: Simple Steps That Work

Start with calm, light moves. These aim to reduce swallowed air, relax the diaphragm, and smooth the pace of feeding.

What To Try	How To Do It	Why It Helps
Pause and burp	Stop feeding and hold your baby upright, chin on your shoulder. Pat or rub the back for 1–2 minutes.	Releases trapped air that can set off spasms. The AAP’s HealthyChildren site teaches simple burping holds.
Offer a pacifier	Let your baby suck briefly between or after feeds.	Sucking can relax the diaphragm and steady breathing.
Switch positions	Hold upright against your chest or in a semi-upright cradle; avoid slumping.	Upright holds reduce back-flow and extra air intake.
Slow the flow	If bottle-feeding, try a slow-flow nipple and tilt the bottle so milk fills the nipple.	Prevents gulping air and over-speedy feeds.
Take smaller breaks	Use brief pauses during feeds to burp, then resume.	Short breaks keep the stomach from getting too full too fast.

Best Feeding Habits To Prevent Frequent Bouts

Many hiccup runs start with fast feeds or extra air. A few tweaks cut down on both.

Smart Pacing

• Break long feeds with quick burp stops at natural pauses.
• If using bottles, pick nipples labeled slow flow and keep the tip full of milk.
• If chest-feeding, aim for a deep latch; if needed, work with a local lactation helper.

Comfortable Positions

• Keep the head and chest slightly higher than the tummy during and after feeds.
• Hold upright for 20–30 minutes after a big feed before laying flat.

The UK NHS guide to burping shows easy holds and explains why some babies need extra help releasing air.

What Not To Do With Newborn Hiccups

Some old tips are harmless for adults but not safe for babies. Skip anything that startles, pinches, or limits breathing.

• No sugar on the tongue, vinegar, or lemon juice.
• No startle tricks, pressure on the fontanelle, or forceful back slaps.
• No water for babies under 6 months, and no herbal tonics without medical guidance.

Plain water before 6 months can lead to low sodium; breast milk or formula already meets fluid needs for most babies today. Many pediatric groups start sips of water after 6 months.

Why Babies Hiccup So Often

Newborns feed often, swallow air, and have a lively hiccup reflex that even shows up in late pregnancy. Triggers include quick feeds, a shallow latch, a strong let-down, or reflux. Most of the time, none of this is a problem; it’s just part of a new system learning smooth flow.

Hiccups And Reflux

Spit-up with arching, crying during feeds, or cough with poor weight gain can point to reflux trouble. A short upright hold after feeds and slower pacing usually reduce those episodes. If your baby seems to hurt with feeds or isn’t growing well, see a pediatrician to rule out GERD or allergy.

Step-By-Step Plan During A Hiccup Run

1. Pause feeding; gently burp in an upright hold.
2. Offer the pacifier for a minute to settle breathing.
3. Try a position change: chest-to-chest upright or semi-upright cradle.
4. Resume the feed slowly, with another brief burp stop partway through.
5. Stay upright together for 20–30 minutes after the feed.

When Hiccups Interrupt Sleep Or Feeds

Most babies snooze through hiccups. If your baby wakes up often or keeps popping off the breast or bottle mid-feed, adjust the plan:

• Move a big feed a little earlier so there’s time for an upright wind-down.
• Use paced bottle feeding to slow gulping.
• Check nipple sizes; many babies stay on slow flow longer than parents expect.

Practical Gear Tips

You don’t need fancy gear. A burp cloth, a comfy chair, and a couple of slow-flow nipples cover most needs. If you like a wearable wrap, it can free your hands for upright holds after feeds. Skip over-the-counter drops that promise quick fixes for hiccups.

Safety Notes On Gripe Water And Drops

Gripe water and gas drops are popular, yet evidence for hiccups is thin. Some gripe waters vary by brand and aren’t FDA-reviewed. If you choose to try anything, wait until your baby is older than the newborn stage, read every ingredient, and keep portions tiny. Many families find simple pacing and burping work just as well.

Red Flags That Need A Pediatric Visit

Hiccups alone aren’t a danger sign. Contact your baby’s doctor without delay if any of the items below apply.

Sign	Why It Matters	Next Step
Frequent spit-up with pain, back arching, or cough	May signal reflux that needs care	Ask for a weight check and feeding review
Poor weight gain or fewer wet diapers	Points to low intake or another issue	Schedule a prompt clinic visit
Blue color, breathing trouble, or choking spells	Emergency signs	Seek urgent help
Hiccups that always stop feeds or last many hours	Unusual pattern	Keep notes and bring them to the visit

Simple Daily Routine That Keeps Hiccups Rare

Before A Feed

• Settle your baby with a brief cuddle so they don’t gulp from crying.
• Check the latch or nipple choice for a smooth start.

During A Feed

• Watch for strong swallows; if breathing sounds choppy, pause and burp.
• Keep the neck straight and the head slightly raised.

After A Feed

• Hold upright for at least 10–20 minutes; longer after a big bottle.
• Lay down on a firm, flat sleep surface once fully asleep and settled.

Quick Myths Vs Facts

Myth: Hiccups mean the baby is thirsty.

Fact: Hiccups are a muscle reflex, not a thirst sign. Babies under 6 months don’t need plain water; milk already meets fluid needs.

Myth: You should wait it out every time.

Fact: Many bouts fade on their own, yet gentle burps and position changes can shorten a run when feeds or naps keep getting cut short.

Myth: Strong remedies fix hiccups faster.

Fact: Simple pacing and upright holds work well. Strong flavors, sweeteners, and tricks that block breathing are unsafe.

A Calm Checklist For The Next Hiccup

• Pause, burp, and switch to an upright cuddle.
• Offer the pacifier for a minute.
• Restart slowly with a brief mid-feed burp.
• Stay upright together and enjoy the snuggle.

Bottle And Breastfeeding Tweaks That Help

If You Use Bottles

• Keep the nipple full by tilting the bottle; a half-full tip invites air.
• Match nipple size to your baby’s pace; if milk gushes, size down.
• Try paced bottle feeding: hold the bottle more horizontal, let your baby pause every few swallows, and burp midway.

If You Chest-Feed

• Aim for a deep latch with the nose free and the chin touching the breast.
• Use a laid-back hold if let-down feels fast, then switch to a standard cradle once the surge settles.
• Burp when switching sides; many babies need that tiny reset.

These small steps trim air intake and calm the feed, which lowers the odds of a hiccup burst right after a meal.

Common Mistakes That Keep Hiccups Going

• Rushing a hungry, crying baby straight into a fast feed. A 30-second cuddle first prevents air-gulping.
• Leaving the bottle nearly empty near the end. Tip it up or stop to burp instead.
• Switching nipples too soon. Bigger openings can cause spluttering and extra air.
• Letting a baby slump in a car seat right after a full feed. Hold upright a bit before buckling in.

Simple Positions You Can Rotate

Upright On Shoulder

Place your baby high on your chest with the head by your jaw. Hold the bottom with one hand and pat the back with the other hand.

Football Hold

Tuck your baby along your forearm with the head at your elbow and the body along your arm. This lets you rub the back without bending the tummy.

Seated On Lap

Sit your baby on your thigh facing sideways. Hold the chest and head with one hand by the jaw line and rub the back with the other hand.

Rotate these holds during and after feeds. A change of angle often breaks a stubborn run while staying calm and safe.

How Long Do Newborn Hiccups Last?

Single bouts usually pass within minutes. Some babies hiccup daily for a while, then far less by three to four months. Growth brings steadier feeding, a stronger diaphragm, and fewer triggers. If episodes seem endless or come with clear distress, keep notes on timing, feeds, and sleep; that diary helps your baby’s clinician spot patterns fast.

When To Get Hands-On Help

If latch hurts, milk sprays fast, or your baby gasps and pulls off often, hands-on help can change the whole day. Book a check with your pediatrician or a lactation pro. Ask for a weight check, watch a feed together, and review nipple sizes or positions. Most families leave with two or three tiny tweaks that cut air intake and shorten hiccup runs.

Stay patient, gently.