Newborn Hiccups: Causes & How to Stop Them | Parenting Hub
Hiccups are completely normal in newborns and don't bother baby. How to ease a long bout, why they happen, and when to mention them to a doctor.
Newborn hiccups can sound dramatic but rarely bother baby. They usually stop on their own — here's what helps and what doesn't.
What's going on
Hiccups happen when the diaphragm — the dome of muscle under the lungs — contracts suddenly. The vocal cords snap shut and you get that familiar 'hic'. Newborns hiccup a lot because their diaphragm is still maturing.
Symptoms
Rhythmic 'hic' sounds, sometimes for 10–20 minutes. Baby is otherwise comfortable and continues to breathe normally between hiccups.
Common triggers
Most newborn hiccups happen after feeds. Common triggers include:
- Swallowing air during a fast feed or with a poor latch
- Overfeeding (especially common with bottles)
- A sudden change in temperature
- Reflux — milk irritating the food pipe
What helps
Most bouts pass in 10–15 minutes whether you do anything or not. Gentle options that may help:
- Pause the feed and offer a burp.
- Hold baby upright on your chest for 10–15 minutes.
- Slow the flow — check bottle teat size and offer paced bottle feeding.
- Try a dummy — the sucking action can settle the diaphragm.
What to avoid
Skip the adult 'cures' — startling baby, water sips (under 6 months), holding their breath, or anything pressed on the soft spot. None work, some are unsafe.
When to see a doctor
Hiccups are almost never a medical problem. Mention them to your GP if baby vomits forcefully alongside hiccups, hiccups last more than a few hours at a stretch, baby seems distressed during them, or feeding is generally painful or unsettled (reflux can be the underlying issue).
When to seek help
- Hiccups paired with forceful or projectile vomiting
- Baby turning blue around the lips or struggling to breathe between hiccups
- Hiccups in a baby who is also very irritable, off feeds and losing weight
Common questions
Can I give my baby water to stop hiccups?
No. Babies under 6 months shouldn't have water. Offer a brief breast or bottle pause and a burp instead.
Do hiccups mean my baby is full?
Often yes — many babies hiccup after a good feed. If they're settled, you don't need to do anything.