How Can I Get Rid Of Newborn Hiccups? | Calm Baby Guide

Why Babies Hiccup

Newborns hiccup because the diaphragm fires off tiny spasms. Air swallowed during feeds or a quick flow can add to it. Brand-new tummies are learning the job, so little after-meal hiccups are common. Most episodes end within minutes and don’t bother the baby at all.

Getting Rid Of Newborn Hiccups: Gentle, Safe Steps

Start with simple moves you can use any time. Pick one, give it a minute or two, then switch if nothing changes.

Quick Actions That Help

Action	How To Do It	Why It Helps
Burp Break	Pause the feed and place baby high on your shoulder; pat or rub between the shoulder blades. See the HealthyChildren guide on burping and hiccups for step-by-step tips.	A small burp clears trapped air that can trigger the spasm cycle.
Upright Hold	Keep baby chest-to-chest or seated with head supported for 10–15 minutes after feeds.	Milk settles and air rises, which calms the diaphragm.
Pacifier	Offer a clean pacifier for a short suck session. Use the right size and replace worn nipples; see Mayo Clinic guidance on pacifiers.	Rhythmic sucking relaxes the diaphragm and can reset the pattern.

Feed Smarter To Prevent Hiccups

Small tweaks during feeds can cut down hiccups the next time.

• Pace the bottle. Tip just enough to keep the nipple full of milk, not bubbles.
• Watch the latch. If nursing, aim for a deep latch; if bottle-feeding, pick a nipple with a steady, not gushing, flow.
• Take scheduled burp pauses. Try a pause when switching sides at the breast, or every 2–3 ounces from a bottle.
• Hold upright after the meal. Ten to twenty minutes upright works well for many babies.
• Keep the vibe calm. No rough play or tight tummy squeezes right after a feed.

What Not To Do

Skip tricks that aren’t baby-friendly.

• No sugar on the tongue, lemon, or vinegar.
• No startle games or breath-holding.
• Don’t push more milk just to “wash the hiccup down.”

When Hiccups Worry You

Hiccups rarely mean a problem. That said, call your baby’s doctor if any of these show up with the hiccups:

• Repeated spit-ups that sting or smell sour, poor weight gain, or long crying during feeds.
• Coughing, choking, or breathing trouble during meals.
• Hiccups that disrupt sleep often or last most of the day.

Comfort Positions That Work

Try one of these gentle holds:

• Shoulder snuggle: Baby’s tummy against your chest, head on your shoulder, one hand supporting the neck, the other doing slow pats.
• Seated support: Baby sits on your lap facing sideways, your hand supports the jaw and chest while you rub the back.
• Tummy across lap: Baby lies belly-down across your thighs; rub the back in circles.

When A Pacifier Helps

Some babies calm the diaphragm with a few minutes of sucking. If you use pacifiers, pick the right size and keep them clean. Don’t clip with long strings, and replace worn nipples. A brief pacifier session can end a hiccup run without extra milk.

Bottle Tips That Cut Air Swallowing

• Keep the nipple full to reduce bubbles.
• Try an angled bottle or vented design if your baby gulps fast.
• Hold baby more upright, not flat.
• Pause every few minutes for a burp check.

Breastfeeding Pointers

• Aim for chin-to-breast and a wide, deep latch.
• If let-down is strong, hand-express a little first or use laid-back nursing to slow the flow.
• Listen for steady swallows; clicking or slipping suggests a latch tune-up.
• Swap sides and burp during the feed.

Hiccups During The Night

Middle-of-the-night hiccups usually fade quickly. Keep lights low and stay calm. If baby isn’t upset, simply wait it out with a hand on the chest. If baby wants help, try a short upright hold in the crib-side chair, then lay them back to sleep on a flat, firm surface.

Newborn Hiccups And Gas

Gas and hiccups often ride together after feeds. Bicycle the legs or do a gentle tummy massage in a clockwise circle between meals. These moves move gas along; save them for times when the tummy isn’t full.

Myths You Can Ignore

You may hear quick fixes that aren’t safe or just don’t make sense for a newborn. No spoonfuls of sugar, no sips of water before the right age, and no holding your baby upside down. Gentle, boring care works better than stunts.

How Long Does A Bout Last?

Most spells wrap up in a few minutes. Some babies hiccup daily for weeks, which still falls in the normal range. The pattern fades as feeding skills mature and the diaphragm settles. If the hiccups always end the same way—short and quiet—there’s no need to chase them.

Red Flags: When To Call

Reach out for care if you see:

• Vomiting that shoots across the room, green vomit, blood, or a swollen belly.
• Trouble breathing, blue lips, or changes in color.
• Fewer wet diapers or sleepy feeds due to nonstop hiccups.
• Hiccups after every feed with pain cues like arching and back-to-back crying.

Feeding Routines That Reduce Hiccups

Simple Feeding Tweaks

Tweak	What To Try	Expected Payoff
Paced Bottle	Tip the bottle just enough to fill the nipple; pause often.	Smoother flow, less air in the tummy.
Burp Windows	Build in burps during and after feeds.	Fewer spasms triggered by trapped air.
Upright Time	Hold baby upright 10–20 minutes post-meal.	Calmer digestion and fewer hiccups afterward.

Do Hiccups Bother Babies?

Most babies snooze right through them. The sound can worry parents more than the baby. If your little one smiles, feeds well, and grows on track, hiccups are just a quirky soundtrack of early months.

Safe Tools And Props

• Burp cloths and a comfy chair make the routine easier.
• A soft bib can keep milk off clothes while you pause to burp.
• If bottles are part of the plan, pick slow-to-medium flow nipples and check for wear.

Sample Routine During A Feed

1. Start in a semi-upright hold.
2. Watch for steady swallows, not frantic gulps.
3. Pause to burp at natural breaks.
4. Finish the feed; keep baby upright for a bit.
5. Lay baby down on a flat, safe sleep surface once calm and drowsy.

What Causes Hiccups In Newborns?

The diaphragm contracts and the glottis snaps shut, making the “hic” sound. In little ones, a quick milk flow, air in the tummy, or a tiny tummy stretch can start the chain. Some babies hiccup before birth, which shows how normal the reflex is.

Safe Home Steps: Quick Recap

• Pause the feed, burp, and switch positions.
• Hold upright after meals.
• Offer a short pacifier break.
• Keep feeds calm and paced.
• Skip unsafe folk cures.

When Hiccups Are Linked To Reflux

If hiccups ride with burning spit-ups, back arching, or tough feeds, reflux may be in the mix. Track patterns and share them with the doctor. Many cases improve with feeding tweaks: smaller, more frequent meals, good burp habits, and upright time. Medicine is rarely needed in young babies unless there’s poor growth or breathing trouble.

Day-By-Day Prevention Tips

• Morning: Set up bottles and nipples that match your baby’s current flow needs.
• Afternoon: Plan feeds with enough time for burp breaks.
• Evening: Keep the last feed calm and unhurried.
• Night: If hiccups pop up, dim lights and try a quiet upright hold rather than a full extra feed.

Common Parent Concerns

Water is not part of a newborn’s menu, so don’t use it to stop hiccups. Hiccups alone rarely call for a formula change; rashes, blood in stool, or ongoing distress are different and need a clinic visit. Save tummy massage and bicycling legs for times between feeds, not right after a meal. If anything feels off—hard feeds, poor growth, or breathing trouble—call your baby’s doctor and share a short diary of feeds, spit-ups, and sleep.

Safety Corner

• Always put baby on the back for sleep.
• No wedges or positioners in the crib.
• Keep small objects and long cords away when using pacifiers or bottles.

How Long Should I Try Each Fix?

Give each step a minute or two. If the sound continues but baby looks content, you can stop and let nature finish the job. If your little one gets fussy, try a new position, a burp, or a short pacifier break.

Learning The Cues

Watch your baby’s face and body language. Slower swallows, relaxed hands, and steady breathing signal comfort. Fast gulps, clicking sounds, or arching suggest too much air or flow and call for a quick pause.

Timing Your Burp Breaks

Match pauses to your baby’s pace. With bottles, stop every few minutes at first, then less often once swallows look steady. While nursing, take a short break after the first let-down and when switching sides. If no burp comes quickly, resume feeding. Cues for a pause: gulping, squirming, a shallow latch, or a brief frown after a swallow.

Gear Check For Fewer Hiccups

Scan feeding gear weekly. Collapsed or cracked nipples change flow and add air—replace them. Vented bottles suit some babies; others prefer a simple design with a more upright hold. Keep burp cloths handy and sit where your arms can rest so your hands stay steady and truly relaxed too.

Wrap-Up: Calm Steps That Work

Newborn hiccups respond to patient, gentle care. Burp during and after feeds, hold upright for a short spell, pace the flow, and reach for a pacifier when needed. Call the doctor if hiccups team up with poor feeding, breathing problems, or weak weight gain.