Newborn hiccups usually stop on their own; gentle burping, an upright hold, or a brief pacifier suck often settles them within minutes.
Those squeaks can jangle nerves, yet newborn hiccups are common and usually harmless. You can ease them with simple, safe steps that fit right into feeding and cuddle time. This guide shows what helps, what to avoid, and when a call to your pediatrician makes sense.
Newborn Hiccups At A Glance: Normal Vs Red Flags
Use this quick guide while you feed, burp, or settle your baby. If any warning signs show up, treat them as a prompt to phone your baby’s doctor for tailored care.
| What You See | What It Means | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Soft, rhythmic hiccups; baby stays calm | Typical reflex from a twitchy diaphragm or swallowed air | Wait, cuddle, or try a soothing step below |
| Hiccups pop up during feeds | Air gulping or quick flow is likely | Pause, burp, and shift to a more upright angle |
| Frequent spit-ups, back arching, coughing, or crying with feeds | Possible reflux or feeding trouble | Call the pediatrician for advice |
| Blue tint, breathing trouble, poor weight gain, or long spells that disrupt sleep | Needs medical review | Seek care promptly |
Why Do Newborns Get Hiccups?
Hiccups happen when the diaphragm tightens in quick bursts. In babies, that reflex fires easily. Air swallowed during a fast feed can nudge it along. A fuller tummy can rub the diaphragm too. These patterns are common in the early months and fade with time.
For plain-language detail on burping and hiccups from pediatric experts, see the American Academy of Pediatrics. Clear parent guidance from the Cleveland Clinic also explains common triggers and gentle fixes.
How To Get Rid Of Hiccups In A Newborn (Gentle Ways)
Most bouts drift off on their own. If you want to help things along, work through these calm, baby-friendly steps. Pick one, watch for a minute, then try another.
Pause And Burp Gently
Stop the feed for a short break. Lift your baby to your shoulder, or seat them on your lap with chest support, and pat or gently rub the upper back in slow strokes. If you nurse, try a burp before switching sides. If you bottle feed, pause after two to three ounces. Many babies need only a brief burp to settle the reflex.
Hold Upright After Feeds
Keep your baby upright for ten to fifteen minutes when a feed ends. That position lets bubbles rise and milk settle, which lowers hiccup triggers and spit-ups.
Offer A Short Pacifier Break
Sucking can relax the breathing muscle. Offer a clean pacifier for a minute or two. When the rhythm softens, you can put it away and return to cuddles.
Shift Position Or Pace
Try a more upright latch, or use paced bottle feeding so the flow matches your baby’s natural rhythm. A slower flow nipple can help if gulping shows up. Small changes cut down on air intake, which often cuts down on hiccups.
Resume Feeding For A Moment
If hiccups start mid-feed, pause, burp, and wait a few minutes. If the sound keeps going but your baby seems content, nurse or bottle again for a short stretch. That tiny restart often resets the reflex.
Safe, Practical Tips That Prevent Repeat Bouts
Steady habits during feeds can make hiccups less frequent. These tweaks fit neatly into daily care and tend to help babies who gulp or spit up.
Start Before Your Baby Is Frantic
Feeding an extra-hungry baby invites fast swallows. Pick up early hunger cues like hand-to-mouth, lip smacking, or light rooting. An even pace means fewer bubbles.
Watch The Bottle Flow
If a stream looks forceful, move to a slower flow nipple. Hold the bottle so the tip stays full of milk, not foam. That simple shift lowers air intake.
Check The Latch
During nursing, aim for a deep latch with the mouth wide and lips flanged out. If you hear clicking or see frequent slips, pause and relatch. A deeper seal brings less air.
Build In Burp Breaks
Plan short pauses during and after each feed. Shoulder burps, seated burps, or tummy-down across your lap all work well. Pick the one you find easiest and repeat it the same way so it becomes second nature.
Keep Things Upright
Hold your baby at a gentle angle during feeds and for a little while after. Upright time helps both milk flow and bubble release.
Mistakes To Skip With A Hiccuping Newborn
Some folk tricks suit older kids or adults, not tiny babies. Skip anything that startles, flips your baby upside down, or blocks breathing. Do not give water to an infant under six months unless your clinician tells you to do so. Avoid sweeteners and home potions. If a remedy sounds odd, it likely is.
When To Call The Pediatrician
Reach out for medical care if hiccups come with any of the signs below. A brief phone chat can sort out next steps or set up a visit when needed.
- Hiccups disrupt feeding or sleep on a regular basis.
- Spells come with coughing, back arching, frequent spit-ups, or clear distress.
- Your baby looks blue, breathes hard, or seems listless.
- Weight gain stalls, or feeds feel like a struggle most days.
- Your baby was born early or has a health condition and the pattern is new.
Care Cheatsheet: Quick Fixes By Scenario
Match your moment to a simple step. Pick one, watch your baby, and repeat the move that works best for your family.
| Scenario | Try This | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Hiccups mid-feed | Pause, burp, then return to feeding for a short stretch | Releases air and resets the reflex |
| Hiccups right after a bottle | Hold upright ten to fifteen minutes; switch to a slower flow nipple next time | Reduces air and slows gulping |
| Hiccups during nursing | Relatch for a deeper seal; try a more upright hold | Less air, steadier rhythm |
| Calm baby with hiccups | Offer a pacifier for one to two minutes | Sucking relaxes the diaphragm |
| Fussy baby with hiccups | Skin-to-skin on your chest and a slow sway | Soothing lowers tension that can feed the reflex |
Simple Gear And Setup Tips
A few small tweaks to your setup can smooth feeds and cut down on air. You do not need fancy gadgets; comfort and fit matter most.
Pick A Seat With Support
Use a chair with arm support or a pillow under your forearm so your baby’s body stays level with the breast or bottle. Less wobble means steadier swallows.
Mind The Nipple Fit
If bottle feeding, make sure the base of the nipple seals the lips without gaps. Test a few brands and flows if needed. Once you find one that keeps the tip full and your baby relaxed, stick with it.
Create A Calm Feed Zone
Soft light, a quiet room, and a relaxed pace can settle both of you. If a burp breaks the mood, pause, breathe, and carry on. Consistent cues teach your baby that feeding time feels safe and unhurried.
How Long Do Hiccups Usually Last?
Many newborns have short bouts that wrap up within a few minutes. Others ripple on and off during a feed, then fade as your baby rests. The length and pattern vary from day to day. What matters most is how your baby looks and feeds. If your little one stays relaxed, keeps a steady latch, and settles to sleep, you can wait it out. If the sound keeps breaking up feeds or naps, treat that like a signal to switch positions, burp, or pause for a pacifier.
Breastfeeding And Bottle Feeding Notes
With nursing, a deep latch and a calm start usually take care of most hiccup triggers. If let-down feels fast, try leaning back a bit so gravity slows the flow. Hand expressing a small amount before a feed can help too. With bottles, watch for foam in the nipple tip and keep the angle steady so milk fills the tip. Paced bottle feeding, where you hold the bottle more horizontal and let your baby pause often, keeps swallows even.
If gas seems to build up during most feeds, add one extra burp break to your routine. Some families find a mid-feed diaper change plus a stretch and a yawn resets the pace nicely. Gentle bicycle legs after a feed can help move trapped air along, yet avoid pressing on the tummy right away. Give that upright time first, then try light movement when your baby looks settled.
Burping Positions That Work
The over-the-shoulder hold is easy. Place your baby high on your chest with the chin on your shoulder, support the neck with one hand, and pat or rub the upper back with the other. A seated burp suits bottle feeds: sit your baby on your lap facing sideways, support the chest and jaw with one hand, and pat in slow, steady beats.
Give each position a minute or two. If no burp shows, keep feeding and try again at the next pause. When you finish, hold upright for ten to fifteen minutes so bubbles rise and hiccups are less likely to pop back. Stop if your baby seems uncomfortable today.
Calm Baby, Confident You
Newborn hiccups come with the territory. Gentle burps, upright holds, smart pacing, and short pacifier breaks usually take care of them. If the pattern looks intense or gets in the way of feeds, sleep, or growth, call your pediatrician. You know your baby best, and steady care at home pairs well with timely medical advice when needed.