Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your pediatrician or healthcare provider with questions about your baby's health.

If your newborn seems to hiccup after every single feeding, you are definitely not alone. Baby hiccups are one of the most common things new parents notice (and wonder about) in those first few weeks. The good news? They are almost always completely harmless. Let's walk through why they happen and what you can do to help.

In This Article

What Causes Baby Hiccups?

Hiccups happen when the diaphragm (the muscle that sits below the lungs and helps with breathing) contracts suddenly and involuntarily. When this happens, the vocal cords snap shut, creating that familiar little "hic" sound.

In babies, this tends to happen more often because their digestive and nervous systems are still maturing. Some of the most common triggers include swallowing air during feeding, eating a little too quickly, sudden changes in stomach temperature (like switching from warm milk to cooler air), and general excitement or big emotions. Some babies even get hiccups in the womb, so if you felt rhythmic little thumps during pregnancy, that was likely your baby practicing their hiccups before they were even born.

It is worth noting that every baby is different. Some babies hiccup several times a day, while others rarely do. Both patterns are perfectly normal.

Hiccups in Newborns vs. Older Babies

Newborns tend to get hiccups more frequently than older babies. This is simply because their bodies are still figuring things out. The muscles and nerves that control the diaphragm are brand new, and it takes a little time for everything to coordinate smoothly.

Many parents find that hiccups are most common in the first three to four months. As your baby's digestive system matures and they get better at coordinating their suck-swallow-breathe pattern during feedings, the hiccups usually become less frequent. By around 12 months, most babies have hiccups much less often.

If you are figuring out how much your newborn should eat, know that hiccups after feeding are very typical and usually not a sign that anything went wrong with the feed.

How to Help Stop Baby Hiccups

Most of the time, baby hiccups will stop on their own within a few minutes. But if your little one seems bothered or if you would like to try helping, here are some gentle approaches that many parents find helpful.

Taking a break to burp is one of the simplest things you can try. If hiccups start during a feeding, pause and gently burp your baby before continuing. Sometimes a good burp releases the trapped air that triggered the hiccups in the first place. You can find more tips in our guide to helping a gassy baby.

Offering a short, calm feeding can also help. A few gentle sips from a bottle or a brief nursing session may help relax the diaphragm. The key is keeping things calm and slow so your baby does not swallow even more air.

Sometimes, simply waiting it out is the best approach. Many babies can sleep, play, and eat right through hiccups without any sign of discomfort. If your baby seems perfectly content, there is no need to intervene.

One important thing to remember: adult hiccup remedies are not safe for babies. Never try to scare your baby, hold their breath, or give them water to drink (especially under six months). These methods are not effective for infants and could be harmful.

Tips for Preventing Hiccups

While you cannot prevent every hiccup episode, there are a few things that may help reduce how often they happen.

Feeding your baby in a calm, upright position can make a real difference. When your baby is more upright, gravity helps keep milk moving in the right direction and reduces the amount of air they swallow. If you are bottle feeding, consider trying a slow-flow nipple to help control the pace.

Burping your baby during natural pauses in the feeding (rather than only at the end) is another helpful habit. Many parents find that burping after every two to three ounces from a bottle, or when switching sides during breastfeeding, helps keep air from building up.

Keeping feedings calm and unhurried is also helpful. If your baby tends to gulp or eat very quickly, try offering smaller, more frequent feeds. This gives their little stomach more time to process and reduces the chance of hiccups. Our baby feeding schedule guide has more tips on pacing feeds by age.

Tracking your baby's feeding times and any patterns with hiccups can also help you spot triggers. Some parents notice that hiccups are more common at certain times of day or after certain types of feeds.

When to Talk to Your Pediatrician

In the vast majority of cases, baby hiccups are nothing to worry about. However, it is always okay to bring up any concerns with your pediatrician, even if they seem small. Trust your instincts.

You may want to mention hiccups to your doctor if they happen very frequently throughout the day and seem to cause your baby distress, if hiccups are regularly accompanied by a lot of spitting up or signs of reflux, or if your baby seems to have difficulty feeding because of persistent hiccups. Your pediatrician can rule out any underlying issues like gastroesophageal reflux and help you find solutions. For more on what to watch for with spitting up, check out our post on baby spitting up.

Keep Track of Feedings and Patterns with Remi

Logging your baby's feeds, burps, and hiccup patterns can help you (and your pediatrician) spot trends and find what works best for your little one. Remi makes it easy to track it all in one place.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do newborns get hiccups so often?
Newborns get hiccups frequently because their diaphragm and nervous system are still developing. Small triggers like swallowing air during a feeding or a change in stomach temperature can cause the diaphragm to contract. Most babies outgrow frequent hiccups by the time they are about 12 months old.
How do I stop my baby's hiccups?
You can try gently burping your baby, offering a few calm sips from a bottle or a short nursing session, or simply waiting them out. Avoid startling your baby or using adult hiccup remedies. If hiccups happen during a feeding, pause and burp before continuing.
Are baby hiccups a sign of something wrong?
In most cases, baby hiccups are completely normal and not a sign of any health issue. However, if your baby hiccups very frequently, seems distressed during episodes, or the hiccups are accompanied by spitting up or fussiness that concerns you, it is a good idea to mention it to your pediatrician.
Can hiccups hurt my baby?
Hiccups do not hurt babies. Many babies can sleep, eat, and play right through a bout of hiccups without any discomfort at all. They tend to bother parents more than they bother babies.
Do baby hiccups mean my baby is overfed?
Not necessarily. While eating too quickly or swallowing air can trigger hiccups, they are not a reliable sign of overfeeding. Many babies hiccup even when they have eaten a normal amount. If you are worried about your baby's feeding amounts, your pediatrician can help you figure out the right balance.