If you’ve ever watched your baby hiccup, you know how both adorable and confusing it can be. One moment they’re feeding peacefully, the next, a sudden squeak, a tiny jolt, and a puzzled little face. It’s natural to wonder if hiccups mean something is wrong. The reassuring truth? Baby hiccups are usually harmless and often just a normal part of growing up.
Still, they can make feeding or nap time tricky, and many parents look for safe, gentle ways to help. Let’s walk through why babies get hiccups, what you can do to ease them, and when it’s worth checking in with your pediatrician.
The blog features insights from Dr. David Ghozland, M.D., an OB/GYN and Dr. Leslie M. Treece, M.D., F.A.A.P.,a board-certified pediatrician.
What are baby hiccups?
Hiccups happen when the diaphragm, the muscle that helps with breathing contracts suddenly, causing the vocal cords to snap shut. That’s what makes the familiar “hic” sound. In adults, hiccups can feel annoying, but in babies, they’re usually less bothersome.
Interestingly, researchers at University College London found that hiccups may actually play a role in early brain development, helping newborns strengthen their breathing muscles. They also help to form sensory-cortex connections between the diaphragm contraction and its auditory ‘hic’ feedback.
Hiccups in neonates (0 – 1 Month)
Newborns hiccup a lot, sometimes even more than older babies. Their immature diaphragm is still learning rhythm and control, which makes spasms more frequent. Some babies even hiccup in the womb (many mothers notice those rhythmic belly flutters during pregnancy).
The good news? These newborn hiccups are rarely harmful and usually pass on their own.
Hiccups in older babies (1 – 12 Months)
As babies grow, hiccups tend to happen less often, but they can still be triggered by everyday things: feeding too quickly, gulping air, or even giggling fits. While older infants may fuss a little more if hiccups interrupt feeding or sleep, most will outgrow frequent hiccups as their digestive and respiratory systems mature.
Hiccup crying – what does it mean?
Sometimes hiccups and crying arrive as a package deal. This can happen if your baby is hungry, tired, or has swallowed too much air while crying. The crying doesn’t cause the hiccups but it can make them more noticeable.
Occasional hiccup-crying isn’t usually a concern. But if your baby seems distressed every time hiccups start, or if they interfere with feeding, it may be worth asking your doctor if reflux could be playing a role.
Why do babies get hiccups?
Hiccups in babies are usually harmless, but they can be set off by a few everyday situations. Here are some of the most common triggers parents may notice:
- Feeding too quickly or swallowing air.
- Overfeeding or spitting up.
- Sudden temperature changes (like going from a warm bath into cooler air).
- Natural immaturity of the diaphragm.
How to get rid of baby hiccups? (and what to avoid)
Gentle, expert-approved remedies:
- Pause and burp: If hiccups strike during feeding, stop for a moment and gently burp your baby. This helps release swallowed air.
- Offer a pacifier: The sucking motion can relax the diaphragm and stop hiccups.
- Keep upright: Hold your baby upright with the head slightly higher than the tummy during and after feeds to help prevent hiccups.
- Use smaller, slower feeds: Paced feeding, where breaks are given during bottle-feeding to slow the flow, or using a slower-flow nipple can help if hiccups occur frequently after meals.
While paced or slower feeds are helpful in the early months, the approach may need to change as your baby grows.
In addition, pediatric expert Dr. David Ghozland, highlights the following strategies where many hiccups can be prevented through simple adjustments in feeding technique rather than reacting after they begin.
- Burp often: Pause to burp every 15 – 20 ml of formula instead of waiting until the end of the feed.
- Bottle angle: Hold the bottle at a 45-degree tilt so the nipple stays filled and doesn’t dry out.
- Short breaks: Take breaks every 2 – 3 minutes during feeding, even before fussiness begins.
- Nipple flow check: Test by turning the bottle over if formula drips freely, it’s too fast for a newborn.
- Breastfeeding positions: Use biological nurturing or the cross-cradle hold to reduce air intake.
- Anti-colic bottles: Venting mechanisms can ease gas and cut hiccups in about 70% of babies.
- Right milk temperature: Keep milk close to body temperature to avoid diaphragm “shock.”
Unsafe practices:
- Giving gripe water is popular in some cultures. However, pediatricians don’t recommend it for treating hiccups, as there’s no scientific evidence that it works.
- Giving water, sugar, or honey (unsafe under 12 months).
- Scaring or startling the baby.
- Old remedies like pulling the tongue or pressing the forehead.
These practices might be shared in family circles, but they’re not recommended by pediatric experts and could even be dangerous.
When to seek professional intervention?
While most hiccups are nothing to worry about, reach out to your pediatrician if:
- Hiccups happen after almost every feed.
- They are paired with vomiting, coughing, or wheezing.
- Your baby seems uncomfortable, in pain, or isn’t feeding well.
- Hiccups interfere with sleep or daily feeding.
These may signal reflux (GERD) or another underlying issue that deserves medical attention.
Conclusion
Baby hiccups may look dramatic, but in most cases, they’re just another sign of a developing body learning the ropes. Gentle remedies like burping, paced feeding, or offering a pacifier are often all it takes to help them pass. And remember, most babies outgrow frequent hiccups as their systems mature.
As a parent, the best thing you can do is stay calm, try the simple strategies above, and keep an eye out for any unusual patterns. When in doubt, check with your pediatrician because peace of mind matters just as much as the baby’s comfort.
FAQs
Q: 1. Is it normal for newborns to hiccup every day?
A: Yes! Newborns often hiccup daily because their diaphragm and nervous system are still developing. This usually lessens with age.
Q: 2. Should I wake my baby if they hiccup in their sleep?
A: No, unless the hiccups are clearly disturbing their rest. Most babies sleep right through hiccups without discomfort.
Q: 3. Can hiccups mean my baby is hungry?
A: Not exactly. Hiccups are more often linked to feeding too quickly, swallowing air, or reflux—not hunger.
Q: 4. Do hiccups hurt babies?
A: Generally, no. While hiccups may look dramatic, most babies aren’t bothered by them. If the baby seems distressed every time, talk to a pediatrician.
Q: 5. Can changing bottles or nipples reduce hiccups?
A: Yes. Slower-flow nipples and paced feeding can reduce air swallowing, which often triggers hiccups.
Q: 6. Are hiccups linked to reflux in babies?
A: Sometimes. If hiccups always follow feeds and come with spitting up, coughing, or discomfort, reflux could be a factor. Check with a doctor.
Q: 7. When do babies outgrow hiccups?
A: Most babies hiccup less often after their first year, as their diaphragm and digestive system mature.
Sources:
- Early brain development. ScienceDirect. 2019 Event-related potentials following contraction of respiratory muscles in pre-term and full-term infants
- Handling hiccups. American Academy of Pediatrics. Baby Burping, Hiccups & Spit-Up
- Babies learn how to regulate their breathing. University College London. 2019. Newborn baby hiccups could be key to brain development
