If you’ve noticed your newborn hiccupping a lot, you’re not alone! Baby hiccups are very common in the first year of life and are usually completely harmless. In fact, many little ones start hiccupping while still in the womb.
“My daughter hiccuped almost daily in the womb and almost daily after she was born,” shares a Mopani mom. “It never bothered her at all.”
So, while it can catch parents off guard, baby hiccups are rarely a cause for concern.
Why Do Babies Hiccup?
Hiccups happen when the diaphragm – the muscle under the lungs – suddenly contracts and pulls in air. This triggers the vocal cords to close briefly, making the familiar little “hic!” sound.
Babies can begin hiccupping as early as 21 weeks in the womb. For many parents, it’s a funny, sweet, and sometimes surprising experience.
While experts aren’t entirely sure why hiccups are so frequent in babies, one idea is that it helps them release extra air from their tummies. A study in Clinical Neurophysiology (2019) even suggested that hiccups may play a role in helping premature babies learn how to regulate their breathing.
Most often, hiccups show up after feeding and may be triggered by:
- Drinking milk too quickly
- Swallowing air during feeds
- Having a little too much milk at once
Do Hiccups Bother Babies?
The good news is that most of the time, hiccups don’t upset babies at all.
“My son hiccuped daily as a newborn and eventually outgrew it,” another Mopani parent explains. “At six months, he only hiccups every now and then.”
That said, hiccups can sometimes interrupt feeding. If your baby starts coughing or struggles to swallow during a feed, it’s best to pause until the hiccups pass – usually within 10 minutes.
Tips to Stop or Ease Baby Hiccups
In many cases, the best approach is simply to wait it out. Hiccups often disappear on their own after a few minutes. But if you’d like to help settle your little one, you can try:
- Offering a pacifier – sucking can help relax the diaphragm.
- Burping during feeds – pause regularly to release swallowed air.
- Feeding in an upright position – this may reduce swallowed air and help with digestion.
- Trying shorter, more frequent feeds – smaller amounts can be gentler on tiny tummies.
A gentle back rub or tummy rub can also help your baby relax.
💡 Important: Avoid old-fashioned “cures” like startling your baby, pulling their tongue, or giving water to infants under 6 months. These methods don’t work and can be unsafe.
Can You Prevent Baby Hiccups?
Not always, but a few feeding strategies may help reduce how often they happen:
- Burp your baby often during feeds.
- Hold your baby upright while feeding and afterwards.
- Feed your baby when they first show signs of hunger (instead of waiting for crying).
- If bottle-feeding, check the teat size – too fast or too slow can cause extra air swallowing.
- If breastfeeding, make sure your baby has a good latch to avoid gulping air.
When Should You Worry?
In most cases, hiccups are simply part of babyhood and fade with time. But sometimes they can point to an underlying issue such as reflux (GERD).
Chat to your doctor if your baby:
- Seems uncomfortable or in pain during hiccups
- Spits up often or struggles with feeding
- Has hiccups lasting longer than 24 hours
- Still hiccups frequently after their first birthday
Key Takeaways
- Baby hiccups are very common and usually nothing to worry about.
- They often happen after feeding and usually don’t bother your baby.
- Simple strategies like burping, using a pacifier, or changing feeding positions can help.
- Always mention it to your doctor if hiccups seem painful, last unusually long, or continue after age one.
So, while those tiny “hics” might feel worrisome at first, they’re often just another sweet reminder of how amazing (and sometimes funny) baby development can be.