Newborn Hiccups: Why They Happen and When to Worry
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💡 Quick Answer
Hiccups are very common in newborns. They are usually harmless. They often happen during or after feeding. Some babies have them several times a day.
If your baby is comfortable, eating well and growing, there is usually nothing you need to do. Pay more attention if there are also problems with feeding, vomiting or breathing.
✓ Key Takeaways
- Newborns often hiccup several times a day.
- Feeding can trigger an episode.
- A full stomach or swallowed air may play a role.
- Pausing a feed and gently burping may help.
- Most episodes stop without treatment.
- Hiccups alone do not mean your baby has reflux disease.
- Never use adult hiccup tricks on a baby.
Why Do Infants Get Hiccups?
A hiccup starts in the diaphragm. This is the large muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing. The diaphragm suddenly contracts. The vocal cords then close and make the familiar "hic" sound.
Babies can hiccup before birth. They may continue to do it often during the newborn period. An episode may happen during a feed, after a feed or for no clear reason.
For most healthy babies, this is a normal part of early infancy.
Why Do Babies Hiccup After Feeding?
Feeding is a common trigger. The stomach expands as a baby eats. Babies can also swallow air while nursing or bottle feeding. Both may help trigger the diaphragm.
If hiccups begin during a feed, take a short break. Change your baby's position and try a gentle burp. You can then continue when your baby is ready.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also suggests feeding before a baby becomes extremely hungry. This may help when hiccups often happen during feeds.
💜 Dr. G's Pearl
Look at your baby, not just the hiccups.
A baby who eats well, breathes comfortably and grows normally is reassuring. Even frequent hiccups usually do not need treatment.
🏠 What Parents Can Try
Most episodes need no treatment. If they interrupt a feeding, try:
- Pause the feeding.
- Change your baby's position.
- Gently burp your baby.
- Keep the feeding calm and unhurried.
- Try feeding before your baby becomes very hungry.
If the hiccups have not stopped after about 5 to 10 minutes, the AAP suggests trying to feed again for a few minutes. This may help.
If your baby seems happy, doing nothing is also fine. The episode will usually end on its own.
What Should Parents Avoid?
Do not use adult hiccup remedies on a newborn. Do not frighten your baby or try tricks that involve holding the breath, pulling the tongue or startling the baby.
Do not give a newborn water, juice, sugar water or herbal products just to stop hiccups.
Do Hiccups Mean My Baby Has Reflux?
No. Hiccups alone are not a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
Spit-up is also common in young babies. A baby may spit up and hiccup around the same feed and still be healthy. This is especially reassuring when the baby is comfortable and growing well.
Talk with your pediatrician if vomiting becomes forceful, causes pain, interferes with feeding or occurs with poor weight gain. Green or bloody vomit needs prompt medical attention.
Can My Baby Sleep With Hiccups?
Yes. Hiccups do not change the rules for safe sleep.
Place your baby on the back for every sleep. Use a firm, flat, noninclined sleep surface. Do not prop up or incline the mattress because of hiccups or routine reflux.
☎️ When to Call Your Pediatrician
Call if hiccups repeatedly interfere with feeding or happen along with:
- Difficulty feeding or refusing feeds
- Frequent coughing or choking while eating
- Repeated or forceful vomiting
- Significant pain or distress with feeds
- Poor weight gain
- Fewer wet diapers than expected
- Ongoing coughing, wheezing or other breathing symptoms
- A major change in your baby's usual behavior
In these cases, another problem may be causing the symptoms. Your pediatrician can evaluate the whole feeding and health pattern.
🚨 Seek Urgent Medical Care
Get prompt medical care if your baby has:
- Significant trouble breathing
- Blue, gray or very pale skin
- Poor responsiveness or is very difficult to wake
- Clearly green vomit
- Blood in the vomit
- Repeated forceful or projectile vomiting
- A seriously ill appearance
Do not assume these symptoms are caused by hiccups.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it normal for a newborn to hiccup several times a day?
Yes. Some healthy newborns hiccup several times each day. This is usually normal when the baby eats, breathes and grows well.
How do I stop my newborn's hiccups?
Usually, you do not need to stop them. If they interrupt a feed, pause briefly, change your baby's position and try a gentle burp.
Can breastfed and bottle-fed babies get hiccups?
Yes. They are common with both types of feeding. Hiccups alone do not mean there is a problem with breast milk, formula or feeding technique.
Can I give my newborn water for hiccups?
No. Do not give a newborn water or other drinks just to stop hiccups. Follow the feeding plan recommended for your baby's age.
When should I worry about baby hiccups?
Call your pediatrician if they occur with poor feeding, forceful vomiting, poor growth, breathing problems, significant distress or an important change in behavior.
The Bottom Line
Hiccups are common and usually harmless in newborns. They often occur around feeding and usually stop on their own.
Watch how your baby is doing overall. Good feeding, comfortable breathing and normal growth are much more important than how often your baby hiccups.
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Join the Parent Club →References & Medical Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Baby Burping, Hiccups & Spit-Up
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER) & Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained
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