Most newborn hiccups pass on their own; to help, pause the feed, burp, and hold your baby upright for a few minutes.
Newborn hiccups look dramatic, yet they’re part of normal life for tiny tummies. Most babies aren’t upset by it. Still, when hiccups hit in the middle of a feed or nap, you want a plan that’s safe and gentle. This guide gives clear steps that soothe hiccups fast, habits that cut down on episodes, and signs that call for a check-in with your baby’s doctor.
Stopping Newborn Hiccups: Safe Steps
Work through these calm, low-effort moves. You won’t need all of them every time. Pick one, give it a minute, then switch if needed. Most families often see relief quickly.
Pause The Feed And Burp
Hiccups often follow swallowed air. Stop the feed, lift your baby to your shoulder, and pat or rub the back in slow, steady strokes. If you’re bottle-feeding, try a mid-feed burp as a routine move, not just at the end.
Hold Upright
Keep your baby upright on your chest or in a comfy sit for 10–15 minutes. Gravity helps milk settle, which can quiet the diaphragm. If you were using a bottle, tip it so the nipple stays full to reduce air on the restart.
Reset Latch Or Nipple Flow
If nursing, relatch so more areola is in the mouth and you hear fewer clicks. If using bottles, switch to a slower flow nipple to slow gulping. Small tweaks like these can stop the hiccups from repeating.
Offer A Pacifier
Sucking can relax the diaphragm. A quick pacifier break may settle the rhythm, then you can resume the feed if your baby still wants it.
Quiet, Steady Comfort
Dim the lights, reduce noise, and rock in short, gentle arcs. Calm breathing and a steady hold help babies regulate.
Likely Triggers And Quick Fixes
The table below maps common triggers to simple responses you can try right away.
| Trigger | Signs During Feed | What Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Swallowing air | Clicking sounds, frequent unlatching, bottle nipple not filled with milk | Pause to burp; keep nipple full; improve latch |
| Fast flow | Gulping, coughing, milk pooling at lips | Slower nipple; paced-bottle technique; brief breaks |
| Over-eager pace | Tense body, hands splayed, eyes wide | Slow the feed; switch sides; add mid-feed burps |
| Reflux tendency | Hiccups with spit-ups after feeds | Upright hold after feeds; smaller, more frequent bottles |
| Big temperature shift | Chilled hands or a quick cool breeze | Warm the room; keep a light layer; resume when settled |
| Excited movement | Hiccups after playful jostling | Slow rocking; calm space; then try the feed again |
Feed And Burp Tactics That Cut Hiccups
Small changes during feeds make a big difference across the day. Aim for a smoother flow and less swallowed air.
Build In Breaks
With bottles, try smaller amounts with scheduled pauses for burping. With nursing, burp when switching sides. Short breaks ease pressure on the stomach and keep the diaphragm from twitching.
Watch The Flow
If a bottle pours faster than your baby can manage, step down a nipple size or use a vented system. If milk never seems to reach the nipple tip, hold the bottle at an angle so the teat stays full.
Fine-Tune The Latch
A deep latch cuts air intake. Lips should flange outward, the chin should touch the breast, and you shouldn’t hear clicking. If latch is tricky or you’re sore, a lactation visit helps.
Stay Upright After Feeds
Hold your baby upright for a short window after eating. This simple habit lowers spit-ups and hiccups for many families. The AAP’s HealthyChildren guide on burping and hiccups echoes these moves and offers extra feeding tips.
Breastfeeding Tweaks
Try laid-back nursing if milk let-down feels strong. Your baby stays tummy to tummy while gravity slows the flow. If feeds start frantic, offer a short suck on a clean finger to settle, then latch. If you use a shield, watch for extra air and add a mid-feed burp.
Bottle Setup Checks
Match nipple size to age and pace. A nipple that collapses can pull in air; a fast one can flood tiny mouths. Keep the bottle angled so bubbles rise away from the tip. Swap any warped teats and clean vents so airflow stays steady.
What Not To Do
Skip old tricks that aren’t safe for infants, even if they’re common in adults.
- No sugar water or lemon juice. Babies under 6 months don’t need extra water or sweet liquids.
- No startle hacks or “hold the breath” games.
- No pressure on the fontanelle or soft tummy pushing.
- Be cautious with gripe water or anti-colic drops. Evidence is thin; ask your pediatrician before using any remedy.
Prevention: Tweak The Routine
Hiccups will still happen, but these habits lower the odds and the length of each bout.
Feed Smaller Amounts More Often
For bottle-fed babies, smaller, frequent feeds can help. If reflux is in the mix, local NHS leaflets also suggest upright holds after feeds and checking flow rates on teats. See the UK NHS page on reflux in babies for signs that link to feeding tweaks.
Paced-Bottle Technique
Hold the bottle more horizontal, let your baby draw the milk, and pause every few swallows. This mimics the stop-start rhythm of nursing and reduces gulping.
Protect The Restart
When a hiccup spell fades, restart slowly. Keep the bottle angle steady or relatch with care. If hiccups return, switch sides or take another burp break.
Keep Things Calm
Bright lights, bouncy play, and fast transitions can ramp up breathing. A smoother pace around feeds helps keep the diaphragm settled.
When To Call The Doctor
Hiccups alone rarely spell trouble. Still, patterns matter. Reach out for medical care if any of the flags below show up, or if your instincts say something’s off. The NHS notes that reflux can cause hiccups during feeds and that poor weight gain, coughing with feeds, or repeated distress deserve a medical review.
| Sign | What You’ll See | Who To Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Trouble breathing | Chest pulling in, fast breaths, bluish lips | Emergency services now |
| Hiccups hinder feeds | Can’t eat or keep falling off the nipple/bottle | Pediatrician the same day |
| Frequent spit-ups with pain | Crying with arches, back-to-back episodes | Pediatrician |
| Poor weight gain | Few wet diapers, loose skin folds | Pediatrician or health visitor |
| Repeated vomiting | Forceful or green vomit | Urgent care |
| Fever under 3 months | Temperature 38°C (100.4°F) or higher | Seek care now |
| Hiccups last much longer than usual | Persist through naps and feeds | Pediatrician |
Quick Reference: Step-By-Step During A Bout
- Pause the feed at the first few “hics.”
- Burp on your shoulder with steady pats for up to a minute.
- Hold upright and breathe with your baby—slow in, slow out.
- Relatch or swap to a slower nipple if needed.
- Offer a pacifier for a short suck break.
- Restart gently; keep the bottle tip full of milk.
- Finish with an upright hold for 10–15 minutes.
Why Babies Hiccup So Often
Newborns spend a lot of time in light sleep and have immature reflex control. The diaphragm fires easily, sometimes even in the womb. Feeding adds stretch to the stomach, and air sneaks in with milk. All of that nudges the hiccup reflex. Good news: most babies hiccup less as the months roll by.
Sensible Gear And Setup
You don’t need special gadgets. A comfy chair, burp cloths, and a slow-flow nipple are usually enough. If you use bottles, a vented design can help reduce air. If nursing, a well-fitting pillow can help a deeper latch. Keep a light layer on your baby so chills don’t kick off a fresh round.
Sample Day Plan For Fewer Hiccups
Here’s a simple flow you can adapt. It spaces feeds, builds in burps, and keeps upright time in the mix.
Morning
First feed with a calm start. Burp at the midway point, then again at the end. Hold upright while you chat or hum. If you’re heading out, give an extra minute in that position before buckling into a seat.
Midday
Use paced-bottle technique or a mindful latch. Watch for early feeding cues so your baby isn’t frantic at the breast or bottle. A frantic start leads to gulping, which feeds the hiccup loop.
Evening
Keep lights low and noise soft. Babies often cluster-feed in the evening. That’s okay—just add short pauses and burps between mini-feeds. A warm bath before the last feed can loosen a tight tummy and set up easier settling.
Myth Check
Hiccups don’t mean thirst, bad milk, or a cold. They’re not a sign of poor parenting or a problem with your baby’s lungs. Most episodes clear without any remedy. You’re not “doing it wrong” if you need a few tries to settle them.
When Hiccups Wake Your Baby
Short wakings happen. Wait a minute to see if the hiccups fade. If not, scoop up gently, keep the room dim, and go straight to an upright hold and a brief burp. Skip bright lights or chatty play so your baby can slide back to sleep once the rhythm settles.
Keep Perspective
It’s hard to watch your little one hiccup through a feed. You’re not alone, and this phase is short. Use the steps here, lean on your care team for latch or bottle help, and track what works in a simple notes app. A few days of patterns will show you the best moves for your baby.