Newborn hiccups: pause feeding, burp gently, keep baby upright, or offer a pacifier—safe steps that help; avoid startle tricks and folk cures.
Baby hiccups look dramatic, yet in newborns they’re usually harmless and short-lived. They come from tiny, repetitive spasms of the diaphragm and often show up around feeds or when a baby swallows extra air. The goal isn’t to “cure” hiccups so much as to help them settle while keeping feeds calm and comfy.
Why Newborns Hiccup
Most hiccups trace back to a full tummy, swallowed air, or a quick change in feeding rhythm. Newborns also have an immature digestive system, so burps and small spit-ups walk hand in hand with hiccups. Gentle pacing and smart burping usually do the trick.
For step-by-step feeding and burping guidance, see the AAP guidance on burping, hiccups and spit-up and the NHS Start for Life burping tips. Both outline safe positions and simple routines that fit into everyday care.
Getting Rid Of Newborn Hiccups: Safe Methods
Pause And Burp
Stop the feed for a minute and help your baby release trapped air. Use an over-the-shoulder, upright sit, or tummy-down across your forearm. A few gentle pats or rubs are enough.
Keep Baby Upright
Hold your baby upright during feeds and for 20–30 minutes after. Gravity keeps milk where it belongs and gives the diaphragm a break.
Offer A Pacifier
Sucking can relax the diaphragm. If your baby isn’t hungry but keeps hiccuping, a brief pacifier session may settle things.
Try A Gentle Position Change
If hiccups start mid-feed, shift from cradle to football hold or sit your baby a touch more upright. Small changes can reduce air swallowing.
Check The Latch Or Bottle Flow
A deep latch at the breast or the right bottle nipple flow limits extra air. With bottles, slow-flow nipples and paced-feeding help your baby breathe, suck, and swallow in steady rhythm.
Quick Hiccup Helpers For Newborns
| What To Try | Why It Helps | How To Do It |
|---|---|---|
| Burp Breaks | Releases swallowed air | Pause mid-feed and at the end; 1–2 minutes is plenty |
| Upright Hold | Less pressure on diaphragm | Keep baby upright during and 20–30 minutes after feeds |
| Pacifier | Soothes rhythmic spasms | Offer briefly if baby isn’t hungry |
| Paced Feeding | Steadier suck-swallow-breathe | Angle the bottle; use slow-flow nipple; frequent pauses |
| Position Swap | Reduces air intake | Re-latch or switch holds to a more upright posture |
Feeding Habits That Reduce Hiccups
Smaller, Calmer Feeds
Over-eager feeds stretch a tiny stomach and can kick off hiccups. Offer smaller amounts more often and pace the flow, watching your baby’s cues instead of the clock.
Built-In Burps
Add short burp breaks during the feed, not just after. If your baby looks tense, arches, or pulls off, take a quick pause for a burp and a reset.
After-Feed Routine
Keep your baby upright and still for a bit after meals. Skip bouncy seats and active play right away. Calm time helps milk settle.
Sharp Latch, Smooth Bottle
At the breast, aim for a wide mouth and more areola in the latch. With bottles, hold the bottle so the nipple stays full of milk and switch to a slower flow if you see sputtering or gulping.
What Not To Do
Don’t Use Startle Tricks
No sudden scares, pinched noses, or blowing air on a tiny face. These add stress and don’t help the diaphragm.
No Honey, Sugar Water, Or Lemon
Babies under 1 year must avoid honey due to the risk of botulism. Skip sugar water, lemon, or herbal drops for hiccups.
No Paper Bags Or Breath-Holding
Adult gimmicks don’t belong in infant care. Stick to gentle, feed-friendly steps.
When Hiccups Signal Something Else
Hiccups alone rarely mean trouble. That said, patterns matter. Reach out to your baby’s clinician if hiccups routinely derail feeds, wake your baby from sleep, or ride along with other issues such as frequent spit-ups that sting, crying with feeds, choking, or poor weight gain. Sudden blue lips, trouble breathing, a stiff belly, or repeated, forceful vomiting need urgent care.
Simple Day-To-Day Routine
Before The Feed
Settle your baby upright for a minute or two. If bottle-feeding, check that the nipple flow matches your baby’s age and comfort. Keep a burp cloth handy.
During The Feed
Watch for a steady rhythm. If you hear gulping or see eyebrows knit, pause for a quick burp and reset the latch or bottle angle. Aim for calm swallows and easy breathing.
After The Feed
Hold your baby upright against your chest or on your shoulder. Keep movement smooth and quiet for 20–30 minutes. If hiccups pop up, offer a pacifier and wait them out.
Across The Day
Plan smaller, more frequent meals during fussy windows. Save tummy time for when the stomach is not full. Track what works so you can repeat it next time.
If Hiccups Keep Coming Back
Some babies hiccup daily for a stretch and still do well. If you notice longer spells or hiccups that always pair with feed distress, spit-ups that smell sour, or back-arching after meals, bring notes to your next visit. Small tweaks—paced bottle feeds, slower nipples, latch adjustments, or a different hold—often turn things around.
What Parents Can Do Today
- Build brief burp breaks into every feed.
- Hold your baby more upright during and after meals.
- Use a slow-flow nipple and paced-bottle steps if using formula or expressed milk.
- Re-latch for a wider, deeper seal at the breast.
- Offer a pacifier when hiccups show up between meals.
- Skip startle hacks, lemon, sugar water, and home tonics.
- Call your pediatrician if hiccups regularly upset feeds, sleep, or growth, or if you see the red flags above.
Paced Bottle Basics For Fewer Hiccups
Paced feeding helps bottle-fed babies take in milk at a steady rate and breathe between swallows. That steadiness often trims down hiccups and spit-ups.
- Hold your baby semi-upright with the head higher than the tummy.
- Keep the bottle almost horizontal so milk fills the nipple tip without pouring fast.
- Let your baby draw the nipple in, not with a push.
- Watch for a rhythm: suck-suck-pause. Tip the bottle down briefly to build pauses.
- Burp after a few minutes, then resume. End the feed when your baby slows or turns away.
If you see gulping, sputters, milk pooling at the lips, or a wide-eyed look, the flow may be too quick. Switch to a slower nipple and try again.
Breastfeeding Tips For Fewer Hiccups
A deep, comfy latch limits extra air and keeps feeds smooth. Aim your nipple toward the roof of your baby’s mouth and bring baby in close, tummy to tummy. Wait for a wide gape, then hug your baby in so more areola, not just the tip, goes in the mouth.
Listen for quiet swallows, not clicks. If you hear clicks or see dimpling in the cheeks, break the latch gently with a clean finger and try again. Switch sides when the first breast softens or your baby pauses for a while.
If you have a fast let-down, hand-express a small amount before latching or recline a bit so gravity slows the flow. Short, frequent feeds during cluster periods can help keep the tummy from getting too full at once.
Nighttime Hiccups And Sleep
Night feeds can spark hiccups because babies are sleepy and may latch shallowly. Keep a dim light nearby so you can see the latch and bottle angle. After the feed, hold your baby upright on your chest and rest your hand on the back to feel the tiny breaths settle. If hiccups start, offer a pacifier and give them a minute—most fade without a fuss. Hiccups happen.
Place your baby on the back for sleep every time. A few quiet hiccups are fine while settling. If fuss grows or breathing looks hard, pick your baby up for an extra burp and upright cuddle before trying the crib again.
Premature Babies And Hiccups
Preemies can hiccup more because coordination of suck, swallow, and breathe takes time to mature. Go slow with feeds, keep holds snug and upright, and build in more pauses. Your neonatal team may suggest specific nipples or pacing steps; follow the plan you were given at discharge. If you see color changes, limpness, or repeated coughing with feeds, stop and seek care.
Troubleshooting Checklist
- Hiccups mid-feed? Pause, burp, and try a more upright hold.
- Lots of air bubbles in the bottle? Adjust the tilt or use a vented bottle.
- Clicking at the breast? Re-latch for a deeper seal.
- Arching and squirming? Shorten the feed and add an extra pause.
- Spit-ups that sting or back-arching after many feeds? Call your pediatrician for a plan.
- Hiccups between meals but baby seems content? Offer a pacifier and wait them out.
Hiccups And Red Flags
| Sign | What It Might Mean | What To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Hiccups plus painful spits or arching | Possible reflux irritation | Speak with your pediatrician about feed pacing and evaluation |
| Frequent choking or cough with feeds | Flow too fast or swallowing coordination issue | Stop the feed; adjust nipple flow; call your pediatrician |
| Poor weight gain | Not taking enough or not keeping enough down | Book a prompt visit for a weight check and feeding plan |
| Blue lips or breathing trouble | Emergency | Seek urgent care or call emergency services |
| Forceful, repeated vomiting | Needs medical assessment | Call your pediatrician the same day |
A Final Word For New Parents
Most newborn hiccups fade on their own. With pacing, burps, and cuddles, you’ll manage them. If spells upset feeds or growth, bring notes to the visit so clinician can refine the plan.