It’s not unusual for your baby to get hiccups from time to time. Most babies do! Hiccups are usually nothing to worry about, and you can do a couple of simple things to help prevent them. When hiccups occur, they’ll usually go away on their own after a few minutes but read on to find out how you can help alleviate them more quickly.
What Causes Hiccups in Newborns and Babies?
Babies get hiccups from time to time. You may have even noticed your baby hiccupping when you were pregnant. This may have felt like quick, rhythmic jerks in your uterus. In any case, hiccups are usually nothing to worry about.
Hiccups are caused by your baby’s diaphragm moving in a twitchy way or having spasms when irritated. The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle at the bottom of your baby’s chest that relaxes and contracts to help them breathe.
When the diaphragm gets irritated, it might involuntarily contract, quickly causing air to get sucked in a little more forcefully than a usual breath. When this force of air hits your baby’s vocal cords, they close suddenly. That’s what can make that little “hiccup” sound.
Your baby’s diaphragm might become irritated if they eat too fast or too much, or perhaps if they feel excited or nervous about something.
How to Get Rid of Your Baby’s Hiccups
If your baby gets hiccups during feeding, stop and try to burp them or change their position. In general, try to help your little one relax.
Hiccups usually go away on their own, but if they haven’t gone away after about 5 or 10 minutes, begin feeding your baby again, which may help bring relief.
When your little one has hiccups, it probably won’t bother them too much. You can help your baby feel relaxed and as comfortable as possible by having some easy playtime, gently rocking them, and making sure their diaper is clean.
How to Help Prevent Hiccups in Your Baby
If your baby tends to get hiccups at feeding times, make sure they are calm and not overly hungry when you feed them. This typically decreases the chances of getting hiccups during feeds.
Your baby’s healthcare provider can also provide guidance and reassurance about what to do to help prevent hiccups some of the time. If you have a well-baby checkup coming up soon, you could even ask about it then.
The Bottom Line
When your little one gets hiccups, remember that it’s usually nothing to worry about. Try to slow down their feeding and help them feel calm. Maybe you can stop for a little baby tummy time.
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How We Wrote This ArticleThe information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.
FAQs
If your baby gets hiccups around feeding times, try changing their feeding position and make sure they're calm. The hiccups will usually go away on their own. If they don't, try feeding your baby a little, as this might help resolve the hiccups.
What helps babies hiccups go away? ›
Take a break and burp
Taking a break from feeding to burp your baby may help get rid of the hiccups. Burping can get rid of excess gas that may be causing the hiccups. If your baby is breastfed, burp them before they switch breasts. Rub or gently pat your baby's back when they have hiccups.
Is it okay to lay baby down with hiccups? ›
Parents often wonder if it's OK to let a newborn sleep with hiccups. If your baby isn't having trouble breathing or demonstrating any signs of distress, you can lay them down with hiccups.
Do hiccups mean baby is full? ›
Some experts believe baby hiccups can be the result of food and acid rising up from the stomach when baby is full. Baby hiccups can also be related to overeating or eating too quickly. To that end, you may be able prevent hiccups by feeding baby slowly and taking breaks for burping.
What is the best position for baby hiccups? ›
Position your baby upright and burp if needed.
It's possible that the hiccup functions to remove swallowed gas from the stomach—essentially “an evolved burping reflex.” Gently patting your baby's back while they're held upright may ease the presence of an air bubble in the stomach.
What is the best way to stop hiccups? ›
Things you can do yourself to stop or prevent hiccups
- breathe into a paper bag (do not put it over your head)
- pull your knees up to your chest and lean forward.
- sip ice-cold water.
- swallow some granulated sugar.
- bite on a lemon or taste vinegar.
- hold your breath for a short time.
Even if they go on for 10 minutes or more, they generally are not a cause for concern. But if hiccups persist, a parent should be vigilant. “Hiccups can be a little more concerning if the child also has other signs, such as being really fussy or arching their back a lot while feeding or after feeding,” Dr.
Do hiccups mean overfeeding? ›
Hiccups are especially common in newborns and infants. “We don't know exactly why, but hiccups may be caused by increased gas in the stomach,” Dr. Liermann says. “If babies overfeed or gulp air during eating, that could cause the stomach to expand and rub against the diaphragm, generating those hiccups.”
Do hiccups mean baby is head down? ›
If you feel your baby's whole body move, that suggests they're in a head-down position. You may also notice that you feel their hiccups below your belly button.
Can I breastfeed while baby has hiccups? ›
In fact, it's perfectly safe and won't cause any harm. Breastfeeding or bottle-feeding can even help alleviate hiccups by changing your baby's position or offering a pacifier for a little comforting suckle.
A study published in 2003 claimed that applying pressure to the TE17 point, just behind the earlobe, was 92.6% effective in treating chronic hiccups when tested in 148 cases.
What causes infant hiccups? ›
Why do babies get hiccups? Once the nerves in the diaphragm are triggered, the diaphragm goes into spasms. It's not clearly understood what causes the nerves to be stimulated in the first place. Though in babies, hiccups are generally understood to be due to feeding.
Is there a way to stop fetal hiccups? ›
But as is the case with our own hiccups, there isn't a surefire way to stop baby's hiccups in the womb. Ring suggests that changing positions, walking around and drinking water might work, since any new stimulus encourages baby to shift gears. But the best way to deal with fetal hiccups? Simply embrace them.
What can I do to stop fetal hiccups? ›
But as is the case with our own hiccups, there isn't a surefire way to stop baby's hiccups in the womb. Ring suggests that changing positions, walking around and drinking water might work, since any new stimulus encourages baby to shift gears. But the best way to deal with fetal hiccups? Simply embrace them.
How to get rid of baby gas fast? ›
If your baby has gas, try rotating his legs like he's on a bicycle, try infant gas drops, massage Opens a new window his tummy and offer your baby extra tummy time. If you've just fed your baby and he seems uncomfortable, try burping him again to relieve gas pain.
Why does my baby get hiccups so much in the womb? ›
One theory is that fetal hiccups play a role in lung maturation. In most cases, this reflex is normal and just another part of pregnancy. It's important to note that fetal hiccups are, in general, considered a good sign. After week 32, though, it's less common to experience fetal hiccups every day.
Can I ignore my baby's hiccups? ›
Newborn hiccups can come as a surprise for first time parents, but don't panic. Hiccups in babies are normal and there is no need to stop them. In fact, experts suggest letting infant hiccups run their course. “Hiccups tend to bother parents more than they bother babies,” Dr.
