Newborn Hiccups: Are They Normal and How Can You Stop Them?

Your newborn has just finished feeding, and a few minutes later, the tiny "hic... hic... hic..." begins. While it can seem uncomfortable or even alarming for first-time parents newborn hiccups are extremely common and are usually nothing to worry about.

In fact, many babies start hiccupping before they're even born. Pregnant mothers often feel rhythmic little movements in the womb that are actually fetal hiccups. After birth, these hiccups continue because a baby's digestive and nervous systems are still developing.

Most newborn hiccups go away on their own within a few minutes and don't cause pain or harm. Understanding why they happen can help you stay calm and know when, if ever, you should be concerned.

Why Do Newborns Get Hiccups?

Hiccups happen when the diaphragm the muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing contracts suddenly. This quick contraction causes the vocal cords to close briefly, creating the familiar "hic" sound.

Because a newborn's diaphragm is still developing, it is more sensitive than an adult's. Small changes during or after feeding can easily trigger hiccups.

For most healthy babies, hiccups are simply a normal part of early development.

Common Causes of Newborn Hiccups

1. Swallowing Air During Feeding

One of the most common reasons babies develop hiccups is swallowing excess air while feeding. Air can enter the stomach if your baby feeds too quickly, has a poor latch, or uses a bottle nipple with an unsuitable flow rate.

Choosing an appropriate baby bottle and matching it with the correct bottle nipple can help support a smoother feeding experience and reduce the amount of air swallowed.

2. Feeding Too Quickly

When babies drink milk rapidly, their stomach expands more quickly, which may stimulate the diaphragm and trigger hiccups. Taking short feeding breaks allows your baby to feed at a more comfortable pace.

3. Overfeeding

A very full stomach can place gentle pressure on the diaphragm. This doesn't mean you've done anything wrong it simply means some babies are more sensitive after larger feeds.

4. Not Burping Enough

If trapped air remains in your baby's stomach after feeding, hiccups are more likely to occur. Burping your baby during and after feeds often helps release swallowed air naturally.

If your little one frequently seems uncomfortable after feeding, you may also find our guide on Why Is My Baby Crying After Every Feeding? helpful.

Are Newborn Hiccups Harmful?

In almost all cases, no.

Although hiccups may seem bothersome to parents, they rarely bother babies themselves. Many newborns continue sleeping peacefully or finish feeding while hiccupping.

As long as your baby is feeding well, gaining weight appropriately, and appears comfortable, occasional hiccups are considered completely normal.

How to Help Stop Newborn Hiccups

Most hiccups disappear without any treatment. However, a few simple feeding habits may help reduce how often they occur.

Burp Your Baby Regularly

Pause halfway through a feed to burp your baby, then burp again after the feed finishes. This helps remove swallowed air before it builds up inside the stomach.

Feed Before Your Baby Becomes Very Hungry

A very hungry baby often feeds quickly and swallows more air. Offering feeds when your baby first shows hunger cues may encourage slower, calmer feeding.

Keep Your Baby Upright After Feeding

Holding your baby upright for about 20 to 30 minutes after a feed allows digestion to begin and may reduce pressure on the diaphragm.

Check Bottle Flow

If you're bottle feeding, make sure the nipple flow matches your baby's age and feeding ability. A flow that's too fast or too slow may increase air swallowing during feeds.

Offer Smaller, More Frequent Feeds

If your baby tends to hiccup after large feeds, offering slightly smaller amounts more frequently may help reduce stomach stretching and minimize hiccups. Avoid changing your baby's feeding schedule significantly without discussing it with your pediatrician.

What Should You Avoid?

You may come across many home remedies for baby hiccups, but most are unnecessary and some may even be unsafe.

Avoid the following:

• Do not give water to newborns to stop hiccups.
• Do not frighten or startle your baby.
• Do not pull your baby's tongue or press on their soft spot.
• Do not use herbal remedies or over-the-counter medicines unless recommended by your pediatrician.

The safest approach is usually patience. In most cases, hiccups stop naturally within a few minutes.

Can Reflux Cause Hiccups?

Sometimes, frequent hiccups may occur alongside gastroesophageal reflux (GER), a common condition where small amounts of milk flow back into the esophagus after feeding.

Many babies with mild reflux continue to grow normally and do not require treatment. However, if hiccups are accompanied by frequent vomiting, persistent crying, feeding refusal, poor weight gain, or breathing difficulties, your pediatrician may recommend further evaluation.

If your baby seems uncomfortable after every feed, you may also find our guide on Baby Feeding Problems helpful.

When Should You Contact Your Pediatrician?

Although hiccups are almost always harmless, seek medical advice if your baby:

• Has hiccups that last for several hours or occur almost constantly.
• Frequently refuses feeds.
• Vomits forcefully after most feeds.
• Shows poor weight gain.
• Appears to have difficulty breathing during or after hiccups.
• Seems unusually distressed every time hiccups occur.

These symptoms don't necessarily mean hiccups are the problem, but they may indicate an underlying feeding or digestive issue that should be assessed.

Can You Prevent Newborn Hiccups?

You may not be able to prevent every episode, but these simple habits can help reduce how often hiccups occur:

• Feed your baby before they become extremely hungry.
• Burp during and after every feed.
• Keep your baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes after feeding.
• Use a bottle nipple with an appropriate flow rate if bottle feeding.
• Avoid overfeeding when possible.
• Create a calm feeding environment with fewer distractions.

If you're bottle feeding, our guide on How to Choose the Best Baby Feeding Bottle in Qatar explains how bottle design and nipple flow can support more comfortable feeding.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are newborn hiccups normal?

Yes. Hiccups are very common in newborns because their diaphragm and digestive system are still developing. Most episodes are harmless and resolve on their own.

How long do newborn hiccups usually last?

Most hiccups last anywhere from a few minutes to around 15 minutes, although some babies may hiccup a little longer without it being a cause for concern.

Should I stop feeding if my baby gets hiccups?

Not necessarily. If your baby is feeding comfortably, you can usually continue. If they seem unsettled, pause briefly to burp them before continuing the feed.

Can bottle feeding cause hiccups?

Hiccups are not caused by bottle feeding itself, but swallowing excess air during feeds may make them more likely. Using an appropriate bottle and nipple flow may help reduce air intake.

When should I worry about baby hiccups?

Speak with your pediatrician if hiccups are persistent, interfere with feeding, are accompanied by repeated vomiting, poor weight gain, breathing difficulties, or your baby appears unusually distressed.