That tiny “hic” sound coming from your baby's crib can be surprisingly concerning the first few times you hear it. If you have been wondering, Baby Hiccups: Why They Happen and What Parents Can Do, the reassuring news is that hiccups are common during infancy and usually settle on their own.
Hiccups happen when the diaphragm, the muscle involved in breathing, contracts suddenly and involuntarily. They can be especially common in babies as they feed. Hiccups can occur due to swallowing air, feeding too rapidly and/or a full stomach.
Your baby won't require treatment for the majority of the time. Raising a baby to sleep without his hiccups does not require the parent to interfere with every single hiccup. Parents can concentrate on making the baby comfortable and ensuring that the baby's feeding is as tranquil as they can make it.
Why Do Babies Get Hiccups?
A hiccup occurs when the diaphragm muscle makes a sudden involuntary contraction and then the vocal cords close for a second to produce the sound “hic.”
Hiccups are more common in babies when they are sucking, swallowing and sometimes swallowing air when eating. They can also be triggered by a full tummy or changes while feeding.
This is one reason baby hiccups after feeding are so common.
Hiccups can also be caused by no apparent reason. Parents might see them when their baby is awake, and calm or even asleep. If they happen frequently, there may be an underlying issue, but if they happen occasionally, it isn't necessarily a problem.
Are Hiccups in Newborn Babies Normal?
Some occasional hiccups in a newborn baby are usually normal.
Hiccups that occur multiple times in each day can alarm new parents, but more frequent doesn't necessarily mean there is a health issue. While occasional hiccups are not a cause for worry, if your baby is feeding well, feeling comfortable, has regular wet diapers and is on track to grow, then it is most likely nothing to worry about.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most babies hiccup at some point and parents tend to be more troubled by their baby's hiccups than the hiccups are.
If hiccups are persistent, or happen with regularity in the context of feeding issues, vomiting or poor weight gain or breathing difficulties, however, they warrant evaluation by a healthcare provider.
How Can I Stop My Baby's Hiccups?
No matter the method, a quick cure for hiccups doesn't always work. But in most instances, the only thing one should do is wait for them to stop.
If your baby hiccups at the breast, try to do a few soothing things.
1. Pause the Feeding
If your baby is hiccuping during feeding, take a break, don't just keep going.
Changing your baby's position and allowing them to settle may help. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises to pause while babies are being fed if they have hiccups and attempt to assist the baby to burp or relax.
If baby feeds, after the hiccups have passed, you can resume feeding.
2. Try Burping Your Baby
Swallowed air can make some babies uncomfortable during or after feeding. A gentle burping break may therefore be useful.
Hold your baby's head and neck securely, keep the body supported and gently pat or rub the back. NHS guidance notes that some babies need to burp during a feed while others may need it afterward.
There is no need to keep trying for a long time if your baby does not burp.
3. Keep Feeding Calm and Unhurried
If your baby frequently develops hiccups while feeding, look at the feeding routine.
If the baby is not crying give food when he is not crying too much. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends feeding a baby before he or she becomes extremely hungry, which could help reduce hiccups during feeds.
If the baby is fed with a bottle, position the baby properly and follow bottle instructions.
4. Keep Your Baby Upright After Feeding
If your baby has trouble with hiccups along with spit-up or reflux, it may help to keep them upright for a brief time after feeding to help minimize discomfort.
Some babies experience reflux, which can include hiccups or coughing during feeding. Reflux is common in infancy and usually improves as babies grow.
When it is time to sleep, however, always place your baby on their back on a firm, flat sleep surface. Do not put a baby to sleep on their stomach or prop up the mattress to try to prevent hiccups or reflux.
What Could Be Causing Hiccups That Come and Go All Day Long?
It can be unsettling when baby hiccups come and go throughout the day.
Occasional episodes can still be normal, particularly when your baby is otherwise comfortable and feeding and growing well. Feeding-related triggers, swallowed air and a full stomach can contribute to repeated episodes.
However, frequent hiccups should be considered alongside other symptoms.
For example, if hiccups are accompanied by repeated vomiting, difficulty feeding, persistent coughing, significant distress or poor weight gain, speak with your baby's pediatrician. Hiccups can sometimes occur alongside reflux symptoms, but hiccups alone do not establish that a baby has reflux.
What Are Some Tricks to Stop Hiccups?
You may find many traditional suggestions online, but babies should not be treated like adults with hiccups.
Do not try to scare your baby, make them hold their breath, pull their tongue, give unsuitable drinks or use strong home remedies to interrupt the hiccup reflex.
Methods sometimes suggested for adults are not appropriate for infants. There is also no guaranteed home method for stopping hiccups.
For a baby, simple measures such as pausing a feed, changing position, attempting a gentle burp and allowing the baby to settle are much more appropriate.
Can Baby Hiccups Be Related to Reflux?
Sometimes hiccups appear alongside reflux symptoms.
Reflux happens when stomach contents come back up into the food pipe. In babies, it can be associated with bringing up milk, coughing or hiccupping during feeding, gulping after feeding and unsettled behaviour.
A baby who occasionally hiccups but is otherwise happy and feeding well may not have reflux.
If your baby frequently refuses feeds, repeatedly vomits, is not gaining weight or seems distressed during feeding, discuss the symptoms with a pediatrician rather than trying to treat the hiccups alone.
When Should Parents Worry About Newborn Hiccups?
Usually, newborn hiccups are not a cause for concern.
Call your baby's health care provider if hiccups happen often with:
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Feeding problems or rejection of feeds
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Repeated or violent vomiting.
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Poor weight gain
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Experiencing distress that is significant or persistent.
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Breathing difficulties
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Other symptoms that make your baby appear unwell
If the hiccups persist for over 48 hours in older children or adults, it is advisable to see a doctor. However, parents should not delay if their baby hiccups with troubling signs, as this may not be a good indicator for infants.
Simple Ways to Make Feeding More Comfortable
Rather than focusing only on how to stop baby hiccups, it can be more useful to look at the feeding routine as a whole.
Keep these simple habits in mind:
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Feed your baby when they show early hunger cues.
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Give your baby time to feed without rushing.
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Take a gentle burping break when needed.
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Keep your baby's head and neck well supported.
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If hiccups start during feeding, pause and allow your baby to settle.
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Keep your baby upright for a while after feeding if recommended for feeding-related discomfort.
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Follow safe-sleep practices every time your baby sleeps.
These steps are about comfort and feeding habits, not guaranteed ways to eliminate hiccups.
The Bottom Line on Baby Hiccups
Baby Hiccups: Why They Happen and What Parents Can Do does not have to be a source of worry for new parents. Hiccups are a common part of infancy and often appear around feeding times. In many cases, they disappear on their own.
If your baby gets hiccups, pause the feed if necessary, try a gentle burp and give your little one a moment to settle. Avoid unverified tricks and remedies designed for adults.
Most importantly, look at the bigger picture. If your baby is feeding comfortably, growing well and behaving normally, occasional hiccups are usually nothing to be concerned about. If hiccups occur alongside feeding difficulties, repeated vomiting, breathing problems or poor weight gain, speak with your pediatrician.
Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Hiccups
1. How can I stop my baby's hiccups?
Most baby hiccups disappear without treatment. If they happen during feeding, pause briefly, change your baby's position and try a gentle burp. Once the hiccups settle, you can resume feeding if your baby is still hungry.
2. How do I stop baby hiccups after feeding?
Try holding your baby upright and giving them time to settle. A gentle burping attempt may also help if swallowed air is contributing to discomfort. Do not use adult hiccup remedies for a baby.
3. What could be causing hiccups that come and go all day long?
Repeated hiccups may occur around feeding, particularly when a baby swallows air or has a full stomach. If frequent hiccups happen together with feeding problems, vomiting, distress or poor weight gain, consult a pediatrician.
4. What is the best position for baby hiccups?
If hiccups occur during or shortly after feeding, holding your baby comfortably upright while supporting the head and neck can be helpful. Never place a baby on their stomach for sleep to try to stop hiccups. Babies should sleep on their backs on a firm, flat surface.
5. Are hiccups in a newborn baby normal?
Yes. Occasional hiccups are common in newborns and young babies. They usually settle without treatment, particularly when the baby is otherwise comfortable, feeding well and growing normally.
6. How can I treat hiccups in my baby?
Most babies do not need medication or treatment for ordinary hiccups. Gentle feeding adjustments, a short pause during feeding and burping may help with comfort. If hiccups are persistent or occur with other concerning symptoms, seek medical advice rather than trying home treatments.
