Newborn hiccups are common and harmless; pause feeds, burp often, hold upright, or offer a pacifier; get help if feeding or breathing is affected.
What Causes Hiccups In Newborns
Hiccups start when the diaphragm tightens and the vocal cords snap shut, making the short “hic” sound. Babies swallow air during feeds and may eat fast, so the stomach stretches and nudges the diaphragm. A latch that lets in extra air or a bottle nipple that flows too quickly can add to it. Most spells pass on their own and do not bother the baby.
Gas in the stomach can also set hiccups off. In some babies, frequent hiccups show up with reflux signs like arching, crying during feeds, or lots of spit-up. If those arrive together often, talk with your clinician.
| Situation | What To Try | Why It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Hiccups start mid-feed | Pause, hold upright, gentle burp | Releases swallowed air and settles the diaphragm |
| Hiccups right after a bottle | Keep baby upright 10–15 minutes | Reduce stomach air pressing on the diaphragm |
| Hiccups keep returning | Offer smaller, slower, paced feeds | Less gulping means less trapped air |
| Baby looks relaxed, keeps eating | Do nothing; let them pass | Most hiccups stop without help |
| Baby seems fussy with a shallow latch | Break suction, relatch more deeply | Better latch lowers air intake |
| Hiccups between feeds | Offer a clean pacifier | Sucking can relax the diaphragm |
Getting Rid Of Newborn Hiccups: Step-By-Step
Work through these gentle steps.
1) Pause The Feed And Burp
Stop for a short burp break when hiccups pop up during nursing or a bottle. For bottle-fed babies, a common rhythm is every 2–3 ounces; for nursing, try a burp when switching sides. The pause slows gulping and lets trapped air out. You can find clear, pediatric-reviewed burping guidance on the AAP’s HealthyChildren page.
2) Hold Upright After Feeds
Keep your baby upright on your chest for 10–15 minutes after eating. This posture limits pressure on the diaphragm while bubbles rise.
3) Re-check Latch Or Nipple Flow
If you hear clicking, see dimpling in the cheeks, or notice frequent slipping off the breast, reset the latch. With bottles, try a slower-flow nipple and tilt the bottle so milk fills the teat.
4) Use A Pacifier For A Few Minutes
The steady suck can ease the diaphragm and quiet the “hic” reflex. Offer it between feeds or when hiccups show up out of the blue.
5) Feed Calm, Not Ravenous
Very hungry babies gulp. Try to start feeds a touch earlier, when cues look mild—stirring, rooting, hands to mouth—rather than waiting for strong cries.
6) Try Paced Bottle Feeding
Hold the bottle more horizontal and pause every few swallows. This copycat of nursing tempo slows the rush and trims air intake.
7) Skip Old Myths
No sugar water, no lemon, no startling. Do not give plain water to young infants. Before six months, breast milk or formula already meets fluid needs. Stick with the safe steps above and speak with your clinician if hiccups are constant or affect feeds.
Feeding Tweaks That Lower Hiccup Risk
Set The Room Up For A Smooth Feed
Soft light, skin-to-skin, and a comfy chair help your baby settle into a slower rhythm. A relaxed pace means less air and fewer hiccups.
Time Your Burps
Burp during the feed and at the end. Shoulder, lap-sit, or tummy-over-lap all work. The NHS burping guide shows simple positions that keep the head supported and the airway clear.
Match The Nipple To Your Baby
Too-fast teats can turn milk into a waterfall; too-slow ones make babies suck hard and swallow air. Watch for wide eyes, coughing, or milk pooling at the corners—signs the flow is off—then adjust.
Mind The Angle
Keep the head a bit higher than the tummy during and after feeds. A slight incline on your chest or a semi-upright cradle hold works well.
Shorter, More Frequent Meals
Smaller portions with short pauses can tame hiccup streaks. This plan is handy during growth spurts when babies tend to chug.
Mistakes To Avoid With A Newborn Hiccup
Don’t Chase Quick Fixes
Do not blow on the face, pull the tongue, or try to scare a stop. These stunts can upset a baby and do not solve the spasm.
Be Careful With Home Remedies
Gripe water and herbal drops are sold without firm proof that they stop hiccups. Many products are not regulated the way medicines are, and some contain sweeteners or allergens. If you are thinking about any supplement, ask your clinician first and keep the steps in this guide as your main tools.
No Water For Young Infants
Skip plain water before about six months unless a clinician gives a clear plan. Extra water can crowd out milk or formula and may cause trouble in young kidneys.
When To Call Your Pediatrician
Reach out if hiccups regularly cut feeds short, trigger crying that is hard to settle, or wake your baby often. Also call if hiccups come with coughing, choking, blue color, or breathing effort. These signs need a timely check.
Bring it up at a visit if hiccups pair with reflux signs such as arching, frequent spit-ups that soak clothes, back-to-back feed refusals, or poor weight gain. A care plan may include feeding tweaks or reflux steps tailored to your baby.
Pacifier, Burping, And Positioning—Why They Work
The diaphragm sits under the lungs and above the stomach. When the stomach stretches with air or milk, it can press upward and set off a spasm. Burping vents that air so the muscle can settle. An upright hold lightens the push on the diaphragm. A pacifier switches the nervous system into a steady suck rhythm that often calms the reflex.
Use them together: start calm, feed in a semi-upright pose, pause to burp, finish with a short upright hold, and offer a pacifier if hiccups linger.
Troubleshooting During Feeds
Use this quick map when hiccups pop up again and again.
| Sign You Notice | Likely Cause | What To Adjust |
|---|---|---|
| Fast gulping, wide eyes | Flow too strong | Switch to slower nipple; paced bottle |
| Lip smacking, clicking sounds | Shallow latch, air intake | Break seal, relatch deeply |
| Frequent spit-up plus hiccups | Overfilling or reflux | Smaller feeds; hold upright longer |
| Hiccups start near the end | Buildup of swallowed air | Add an extra burp break |
| Fussiness only at night feeds | Fatigue, fast let-down, quick bottles | Dim lights, slower flow, more pauses |
| Hiccups with cough or color change | Possible airway issue | Stop feeding and seek care |
Simple Daily Plan
Here is a calm routine many parents like: start with a cue-based feed before strong cries. Keep the head above the tummy. Aim for short pauses every few minutes to burp. After the feed, rest your baby upright on your chest. If the “hics” show up anyway, try a pacifier for two to five minutes. Repeat the same steps overnight.
Bottom Line For Tired Parents
Most newborn hiccups need no treatment. The gentle moves that help most are the same ones that shape comfy feeds: slower pacing, good latch or right nipple flow, planned burp breaks, and a short upright hold. Layer in a pacifier if needed. If hiccups keep getting in the way of eating or breathing, or you are worried for any reason, call your pediatric team.
If your baby was born early or has any medical conditions, ask for feeding positions and burping schedules at your next visit. Babies with tongue-tie or low tone can swallow extra air and may need latch or bottle coaching from a lactation consultant or feeding therapist. Small adjustments now can make each meal calmer and cut down hiccups across the day.