Baby Hiccups: Why Newborns Hiccup So Much and What Helps

If it feels like your newborn hiccups constantly, you are not imagining it. Hiccupping is one of the most common things newborns do, and it can feel alarming if you are not expecting it. The good news: it is almost always completely harmless, and most babies are not bothered by it at all.

Here is what is actually happening when your baby hiccups, what tends to trigger it, and the few situations where it is worth a conversation with your pediatrician.

Why Newborns Hiccup So Often

A hiccup happens when the diaphragm, the large dome-shaped muscle beneath the lungs that controls breathing, contracts suddenly and involuntarily. This causes a rapid intake of breath that is cut off when the vocal cords snap shut, producing the characteristic sound.

In newborns, the diaphragm is still maturing. It is more sensitive and prone to spasms than it will be in a few months. Interestingly, babies begin hiccupping in the womb, often as early as week 10 of pregnancy. By the time they are born, hiccupping is something their bodies already know how to do.

As the nervous system and digestive system mature, hiccups typically become less frequent. Most parents notice a significant decrease by around 3 to 4 months.

Common Triggers

While hiccups can happen for no obvious reason, a few things tend to make them more likely:

• Feeding too quickly. When milk flows fast, babies swallow more air along with it. This distends the stomach, which can push against the diaphragm and trigger a spasm.
• Overfeeding. A very full stomach can also press on the diaphragm. If your baby hiccups regularly at the end of feeds, they might be taking slightly more than they need.
• Temperature changes. Some babies hiccup when they get a bit cold or when they go from a warm environment to a cool one.
• Excitement or stimulation. Being very alert, excited, or active sometimes triggers hiccups in young babies.

Does It Bother Your Baby?

This is one of the most reassuring things to know: hiccups are much more distressing for the parent watching than for the baby experiencing them. You might expect your newborn to be bothered the way you are when you have persistent hiccups as an adult. But most newborns continue sleeping, feeding, or looking around contentedly during an episode.

The hic sound can be loud and startling, but that is usually just how it sounds rather than a sign of discomfort. If your baby cries during or seems in pain from hiccups, that is worth mentioning to your pediatrician.

Things That May Help

Most episodes resolve on their own in a few minutes. But if you want to try to help, here are some approaches that parents find useful:

• Burp your baby mid-feed. If your baby tends to hiccup during or right after feeds, try burping more frequently, such as every ounce or two when bottle-feeding, or when switching sides when breastfeeding.
• Offer a short feed or pacifier. Sucking can sometimes help calm the diaphragm spasm. A few minutes of nursing or pacifier use may shorten the episode.
• Wait it out. Honestly, the most effective strategy is patience. Hiccups stop on their own.

Avoid using adult hiccup remedies on newborns. Holding their breath, scaring them, or giving them water or sugar water are not appropriate for infants and not recommended.

When to Talk to Your Pediatrician

Hiccups are benign in the vast majority of cases. But there are a few situations where it is worth mentioning at your next appointment or calling sooner:

• Hiccups that seem to cause significant distress, crying, or pain
• Hiccups accompanied by spitting up frequently, arching of the back, or poor weight gain (possible reflux)
• Very frequent or very long episodes (more than 20 minutes) that are happening multiple times per day
• Hiccups that persist beyond 4 to 6 months and still happen very frequently

For the vast majority of families, baby hiccups are simply one of the many new sounds and behaviors of the newborn period. They tend to fade on their own as your baby grows.