How Do You Stop Newborn Hiccups?

Newborn hiccups usually stop on their own, but parents can help by changing the baby's position, burping the baby and allowing them to relax. If hiccups start during a feeding, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends pausing the feeding and waiting for the hiccups to stop. If they continue for 5 to 10 minutes, feeding the baby again for a few minutes will often stop them. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics)

What Are Newborn Hiccups?

Newborn hiccups are repeated, involuntary contractions of the diaphragm that produce the familiar "hic" sound. Hiccups are extremely common during early infancy, and some parents may even recognize the pattern from when their baby was still in the womb. The AAP includes hiccups among the common sounds and behaviors parents can expect from newborns. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics)

Hiccups usually bother parents more than they bother the baby. A newborn who is hiccuping but otherwise appears comfortable, feeds normally and breathes normally generally does not need treatment simply to make the hiccups stop.

What Causes Hiccups in Newborns?

Newborn hiccups can be triggered by feeding, particularly when a baby eats too much or swallows air. The AAP notes that hiccups are often associated with overeating and can also occur when a small amount of stomach acid irritates the lower esophagus. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics)

Swallowed air is especially relevant during feeding. Young babies naturally swallow some air while eating, and the AAP notes that this occurs with both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding, although it is seen more often with bottle-feeding. Fussing while feeding can cause a baby to swallow even more air.

Common situations associated with newborn hiccups include:

• Eating quickly or becoming overly hungry before a feeding
• Eating until the stomach becomes very full
• Swallowing air while breastfeeding or bottle-feeding
• Fussing and gulping during a feeding
• Mild irritation of the lower esophagus

Are Newborn Hiccups Normal?

Yes. Hiccups are generally a normal part of newborn behavior and are usually not a cause for concern when the baby otherwise appears healthy and comfortable. The AAP specifically notes that most babies hiccup from time to time and that hiccups usually bother parents more than infants themselves.

Parents should pay more attention to the baby's overall condition than to the hiccups themselves. For newborns younger than 1 month, the AAP recommends seeking medical care when a baby looks or acts abnormal, is difficult to wake, is too weak to suck, or develops other concerning symptoms.

Hiccups accompanied by significant feeding problems, breathing difficulty, unusual weakness, persistent vomiting or poor weight gain should be discussed with a pediatrician rather than assumed to be harmless hiccups.

How Do You Stop Newborn Hiccups?

The best way to stop newborn hiccups is usually to interrupt the trigger rather than trying home remedies. Changing the baby's position, burping them, helping them relax and briefly pausing a feeding are approaches recommended by the AAP.

1. Pause the Feeding

If your newborn starts hiccuping while eating, stop the feeding temporarily and give the baby time to relax. Continuing to feed a fussy baby can lead to additional swallowed air.

2. Change Your Baby's Position

Repositioning the baby may help when hiccups begin during a feeding. The AAP specifically recommends changing the baby's position as one of the first things parents can try.

3. Burp Your Baby

Burping can release swallowed air and gives the baby a natural pause during feeding. For bottle-fed babies, the AAP suggests trying to burp after every 2 to 3 ounces (60–90 mL). Breastfed babies can be burped when switching breasts, although some breastfed babies swallow little air and may not need to burp every time.

4. Wait 5 to 10 Minutes

If the hiccups do not stop immediately, give them some time. The AAP recommends waiting for the hiccups to disappear before resuming the feeding. If they are still present after 5 to 10 minutes, feeding the baby again for a few minutes will often stop them.

5. Feed Before Your Baby Becomes Extremely Hungry

Babies who frequently develop hiccups during feedings may benefit from being fed while they are still calm rather than waiting until they are extremely hungry. According to the AAP, this approach can make hiccups less likely during feeding.

For most healthy newborns, hiccups require patience rather than treatment. If your baby is comfortable and feeding and breathing normally, there is usually no need to force the hiccups to stop. (Source: American Academy of Pediatrics)

Newborn & Infant Care in Corpus Christi

Have questions about your newborn’s feeding, hiccups, digestion, growth or development? Dr. Balasundari Krishnan provides newborn and infant care in Corpus Christi, helping parents understand what is normal, identify potential concerns and support their baby’s health and development.

• Newborn & Infant Care
• Well-Child Visits
• Growth & Development Monitoring
• Developmental Screenings
• Family & Parent Education

Schedule an appointment with Dr. Krishnan for newborn and infant care in Corpus Christi.