Baby Hiccups: Why They Happen and What to Do

Baby hiccups are one of the most common and least worrying things you’ll see in the first months: the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) notes that most babies hiccup from time to time, and that it tends to bother parents more than the baby. I’m Saifur, and I still remember watching my own little one jolt with every tiny “hic” and wondering whether I’d done something wrong. I hadn’t, and neither have you.

This guide explains what’s usually going on, which gentle feeding habits can help, and when it makes sense to check in with your pediatrician. It is general information, not medical advice.

Key Takeaways

• Baby hiccups are very common, and the AAP’s HealthyChildren.org says most babies hiccup now and then.
• Cleveland Clinic explains that hiccups come from irritation of the diaphragm, and that they usually stop on their own without causing the baby discomfort.
• If baby hiccups start mid-feed, the AAP suggests changing position, burping, or helping your baby relax, then resuming once they pass.
• Feeding when your baby is calm, and before they are extremely hungry, usually makes baby hiccups less likely during feedings.
• Hiccups alone are rarely a concern, but talk to your pediatrician if they come with other symptoms such as frequent spitting up, coughing, or irritability.

What Causes Baby Hiccups?

A hiccup happens when the diaphragm, the muscle at the base of the lungs, suddenly spasms or cramps. Cleveland Clinic describes hiccups as the result of irritation to that muscle. In babies, that irritation often connects to feeding.

When a baby gulps air while eating, or takes in a lot of milk quickly, the stomach expands and can nudge the diaphragm. Cleveland Clinic lists increased gas in the stomach and overfeeding or swallowing air as possible triggers.

Here’s something I found oddly comforting: Cleveland Clinic also notes that babies can have hiccups before they are born. If you felt rhythmic little jumps late in pregnancy, that may well have been your baby’s first hiccups.

Are Baby Hiccups Normal, and Do They Hurt?

Yes, they are normal. HealthyChildren.org states that most babies hiccup from time to time, and that it bothers parents more than the infant. Cleveland Clinic agrees, saying that hiccups usually stop on their own and don’t cause babies discomfort.

That matches my experience. My baby would hiccup happily in the middle of a smile, while I was the one pacing the room. A calm, cheerful baby with hiccups is generally just a baby with hiccups.

Because every baby is different, I always treat this as a “watch the whole picture” situation. Hiccups on their own are one thing. Hiccups alongside feeding trouble or fussiness are worth mentioning to a professional.

What Should You Do When Baby Hiccups Start During a Feeding?

The AAP’s HealthyChildren.org gives a clear, gentle sequence. If hiccups occur during a feeding, change your baby’s position, try to get them to burp, or help them relax. Then wait until the hiccups are gone to resume feeding.

If the hiccups continue for five to ten minutes, the same source suggests trying to resume feeding for a few minutes, which it says usually stops them. Here’s how I put that into practice:

1. Pause the feed and hold your baby upright against your shoulder.
2. Pat or rub their back gently for a minute or two to see if a burp is hiding in there.
3. Take a few calm breaths yourself. Babies pick up on our tension.
4. Offer the feed again once the hiccups ease, or after five to ten minutes if they stick around.

If burping feels like a mystery to you, our guide on how to burp a baby walks through the positions step by step.

How Can You Make Baby Hiccups Less Likely?

You can’t prevent hiccups completely, and you don’t need to. A few small habits can reduce how often they interrupt feeds, though.

Feed before your baby is frantic

HealthyChildren.org advises that if your baby gets hiccups often, you can try feeding when they are calm and before they are extremely hungry. A baby who is very hungry tends to gulp, and gulping brings in air.

I learned to watch for early hunger cues, like rooting or hands moving to the mouth, instead of waiting for crying.

Burp at sensible points

The AAP recommends that bottle-fed babies be burped after every 2 to 3 ounces (60 to 90 ml). For breastfed babies, it suggests burping when they switch breasts, and notes that some breastfed babies don’t swallow much air and may not need to burp at all.

Keep baby upright afterward

After a feeding, HealthyChildren.org suggests keeping your baby upright for 10 to 15 minutes so they don’t spit up. A calm cuddle after the meal is a lovely routine anyway.

Cleveland Clinic also mentions that a pacifier may help, since the sucking motion can help relax the diaphragm. Use one only if it fits with your own feeding plans and your pediatrician’s advice.

Is It Safe to Try Home Remedies for Baby Hiccups?

This is where I’d urge a little caution. You’ll find plenty of advice online about startling, tongue-pulling, sugar water, or products sold for babies. None of these are recommended by the sources I trust for this topic, and some can actually be unsafe.

The AAP guidance above focuses on simple things: position, burping, relaxing, and pacing the feed. Those are free, gentle, and easy to do at 3 a.m.

If you’re thinking about giving your baby any product, including supplements or herbal remedies, please ask your pediatrician first. Infants are small, and what seems harmless for adults can affect them differently.

When Should You Talk to Your Pediatrician About Baby Hiccups?

Hiccups alone are rarely cause for concern. Cleveland Clinic notes that hiccups may sometimes accompany gastroesophageal reflux, but that hiccups by themselves aren’t alarming. It lists other signs to watch for, including coughing, spitting up, irritability, and back arching during or after feedings.

If you notice those signs together with frequent hiccups, mention it at your next visit or call your pediatrician’s office. You can also read our overview of baby reflux and spit-up to understand the common questions parents bring to their doctor.

Trust your instincts, too. If something about your baby’s feeding, breathing, or mood feels off, calling the office is always reasonable. This article can’t diagnose anything, and your pediatrician knows your baby best.

Summary

Baby hiccups are a normal, usually harmless part of early life. They come from a spasm of the diaphragm, often linked to swallowed air or a full tummy, and they typically pass without bothering your baby.

If they start during a feed, follow the AAP’s gentle approach: change position, burp, help your baby relax, and resume feeding once they ease. Feeding before your baby is extremely hungry and burping at sensible intervals can help. If hiccups appear alongside coughing, frequent spit-up, irritability, or back arching, check in with your pediatrician.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my newborn get hiccups so often?

Newborns swallow air easily while feeding, and their stomachs are small, so a feeding can quickly press on the diaphragm. Cleveland Clinic lists gas, overfeeding, and swallowed air as common triggers. Frequent hiccups in an otherwise content baby are usually normal.

How long do baby hiccups last?

Most spells pass by themselves. HealthyChildren.org mentions that if they last five to ten minutes during a feeding, you can try resuming the feed for a few minutes, which usually stops them. If they seem unusually long-lasting or frequent, or worry you, ask your pediatrician.

Should I stop feeding when my baby has hiccups?

The AAP suggests pausing to change position, burp, or soothe your baby, then waiting until the hiccups are gone before resuming. Resuming gently can help if they linger.

Can baby hiccups be a sign of reflux?

Sometimes hiccups accompany reflux, according to Cleveland Clinic, but hiccups alone aren’t a worry. It points to signs like coughing, spitting up, irritability, and back arching around feedings. Share any such pattern with your pediatrician rather than guessing.

Do hiccups affect my baby’s sleep?

Hiccups often settle on their own, and many babies sleep right through them. Whatever your baby is doing, always follow the AAP’s safe sleep guidance: place your baby on their back on a firm, flat, bare sleep surface in your room, with no pillows, bumpers, or loose blankets. Never prop or use inclined products to ease hiccups or spit-up.

Is it okay to give my baby anything to stop hiccups?

Please check with your pediatrician before giving any product or remedy. The simple, AAP-backed steps of repositioning, burping, relaxing, and pacing the feed are the safest place to start.

This article is for general information only and isn’t medical advice. Please consult your pediatrician about any concerns regarding your baby’s health.