Newborn hiccups usually pass on their own; gentle feeding pauses, upright holds, and a pacifier often settle them within minutes.
Those little “hics” can sound loud in a quiet room, yet for tiny babies they’re a routine part of early life. Most bouts end quickly and don’t bother the baby at all. Your job is simple: keep feeds calm, help extra air out, and give time for the diaphragm to relax.
Below you’ll find safe, practical steps you can use right now. They’re based on common newborn care advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the UK NHS guidance on reflux in babies.
Quick Methods That Work Gently
Use one method at a time. Give each a short window. If the hiccups keep going, switch to the next idea and keep the mood relaxed.
| What To Try | Why It Helps | How To Do It |
|---|---|---|
| Pause The Feed | Slows swallowing and settles the diaphragm | Stop for 30–60 seconds; restart when your baby looks relaxed |
| Burp More Often | Releases extra air that can trigger hiccups | Burp mid-feed and after the feed using gentle pats |
| Hold Upright | Gravity keeps milk down and air moving up | Chest to chest, head on your shoulder, 10–20 minutes |
| Offer A Pacifier | Steady sucking can relax the diaphragm | Let your baby suck for a few minutes, then remove |
| Switch Sides Or Position | Changes the pace and latch | Try the other breast, or adjust bottle angle and seat angle |
Stop My Newborn’s Hiccups: Safe Steps
Think of hiccups as a rhythm you can nudge back to calm. These steps tend to help most families.
Set Up A Smooth Feed
Choose a quiet spot. Hold your baby semi-upright so the chin isn’t tucked. If you bottle-feed, pick a slow or paced flow and tip the bottle just enough to keep the nipple full. For chestfeeding, make sure the latch feels deep and comfortable.
Feed in smaller portions if hiccups pop up after big meals. A short break between portions gives the stomach and diaphragm a chance to reset.
Build In Burp Breaks
Many newborns swallow air, especially during eager feeds. Breaks keep things comfortable and often stop hiccups before they start.
- Pause every 5–10 minutes, or when you hear faster gulping.
- Use gentle pats or a slow circular rub on the back.
- Try two positions: over-the-shoulder and seated on your lap with head and chest supported.
Keep Things Upright After Feeding
Hold your baby upright for a short window. This simple habit supports digestion and lets trapped air rise. A carrier or your shoulder work well.
Try A Short Pacifier Session
Steady sucking may relax the diaphragm and ease the reflex. If your baby doesn’t want it, skip this step.
Reset The Scene
If the room is lively, move to a calmer corner. If your baby is bundled tightly, loosen the wrap a bit so the belly can move with each breath.
What Not To Do With Baby Hiccups
Some adult tricks aren’t safe for babies. Skip anything that startles or squeezes. Also skip drinks and drops sold as quick fixes unless your clinician says they’re needed.
- No breath-holding games or paper-bag tricks.
- No sugar water, lemon, vinegar, or fizzy sips.
- No honey for any reason before 12 months.
- No forceful back slaps or belly pressure.
- Be cautious with “gripe water” and herbal syrups; evidence is mixed and products vary.
Why Newborns Get Hiccups
Hiccups come from brief spasms of the diaphragm, the muscle that drives breaths. Newborns have a brisk reflex and small stomachs, so a quick feed, a swallow of air, or a change in temperature can set the reflex off. Many babies even hiccup in the womb, which shows how normal this reflex is.
Common Triggers You Can Tame
- Fast flow from a full breast or quick-flow bottle nipple
- Swallowing air during a strong let-down or a rushed bottle
- Large feeds close together
- Big excitement right before a feed or right after
Simple Ways To Lower Triggers
- Start with a slower nipple or paced-bottle method when needed.
- Hand-express a small amount before latching if let-down feels strong.
- Offer a short pause halfway through each side or bottle.
- Plan a quiet few minutes before and after meals.
When Hiccups Need A Closer Look
Call your pediatrician or seek care the same day if hiccups come with any of the signs below. These signs can point to reflux that needs review or another issue that deserves a check.
- Feeding stops often because of coughing, choking, or arching.
- Wet diapers drop off, or weight gain stalls.
- Hiccups last most of the day, or wake your baby from sleep again and again.
- Frequent spit-up turns into forceful vomiting, or vomit looks green or bloody.
- Blue tint around the lips or trouble catching breaths.
- Your baby seems in pain with most feeds.
Gear And Set-Up Tips That Help
Small changes in gear can smooth feeds and settle hiccups faster.
Bottle And Nipple Choices
Look for slow-flow nipples labeled for newborns. If your baby works hard and swallows air, the flow may be too slow; if gulps sound rapid, the flow may be too fast. Angle the bottle so the nipple stays full to cut down on swallowed air.
Seats, Slings, And Carriers
Choose set-ups that keep a curl without slumping. In a seat, aim for a gentle recline, not flat. In a carrier, keep the chin off the chest and the airway visible.
Sample Calming Playbook
Here’s a simple way to put it all together during a typical day. Tweak the spacing to fit your baby and your feeding plan.
| Situation | What To Do | Extra Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Hiccups mid-feed | Pause, burp, then restart at a slower pace | Switch sides or try a slower nipple |
| Hiccups after a big feed | Hold upright 15 minutes and offer a pacifier | Next time, split the feed into two portions |
| Hiccups with lots of air swallows | Re-latch or check bottle angle | Plan frequent burp breaks |
| Hiccups plus spit-up | Keep upright; avoid tight waistbands | Ask your clinician if reflux might be in the mix |
Myths, Facts, And Reassurance
“Do Hiccups Hurt My Baby?”
Most babies sail through hiccups without a fuss. Many even nap right through them. If your baby isn’t upset and feeds well, you don’t need to fix anything.
“Will Water Stop The Hiccups?”
No. Young babies should take only breast milk or formula unless your clinician gives a clear plan for something else.
“Should I Wake My Baby To Treat Hiccups?”
No. If your baby is sleeping and breathing looks normal, let sleep continue.
Simple Routine You Can Try Today
Before The Feed
Settle into a calm spot. If using bottles, check the nipple and angle to match your baby’s pace. If nursing, get a deep latch and use a laid-back position if flow feels brisk.
During The Feed
Watch your baby’s cues. When swallows speed up or the body stiffens, pause for a short burp break. Switch sides or adjust angles to keep things smooth.
After The Feed
Hold upright for a short spell. If hiccups start, offer a pacifier or try a gentle change of position. Keep waistbands loose and avoid bouncy play right away.
Bottle Troubleshooting, Step By Step
When hiccups strike with bottles more than chestfeeds, a short checklist can make feeds smoother.
- Check The Nipple Flow: If milk pours out even when the bottle is level, switch to a slower flow. If your baby works hard and loses the latch, try the next size up.
- Angle Matters: Keep the nipple full to cut down on air. A slight tilt is enough; tipping steeply can speed things up too much.
- Use Paced-Bottle Feeding: Hold the bottle horizontal, let your baby draw the milk, and pause every few swallows. This mimics the rhythm of nursing.
- Seat Position: Aim for semi-upright with head and torso aligned. A slouch can trap air and make burps tougher.
- Burp, Then Burp Again: A quick stop at the halfway mark plus a slow burp at the end often prevents a late hiccup run.
Night Hiccups And Sleep
Swaddles can help babies settle, but a wrap that’s too snug around the waist can make air release tougher. Leave room for belly movement. Stop swaddling when rolling starts.
Tracking Patterns Without Stress
A log helps you spot easy wins. You can note things briefly and move on with your day.
What To Record
- Start and end time of the feed
- Side or bottle size and nipple level
- Burp breaks taken
- Whether hiccups happened and how long they lasted
- Any spit-up or fussing
After a few days you’ll see patterns. Maybe hiccups follow large morning feeds, or a fast evening let-down. With that clue, you can pace those feeds, split a bottle in two, or plan an extra burp break.
Special Notes For Small Or Early Babies
Late-preterm and smaller babies often swallow extra air while building strength. They may do best with slower flows, longer pauses, and an upright cuddle after each feed. If hiccups pair with weak feeding or low intake, get in touch with your care team as soon as you can.
Final Word
Hiccups are part of baby life and usually pass fast. With calm feeds, smart burp breaks, and a brief upright hold, most families see quick wins. If the pattern looks out of step with good feeds and good growth, reach out to your pediatrician for advice that fits your baby.