You’ve probably seen it before: your baby is lying peacefully in their bassinet or just latched on during a feed, when their little body suddenly starts bouncing rhythmically. Hic! Hic! Your baby has the hiccups. But how to control hiccups in newborns? While it may look uncomfortable, rest assured: in most cases, newborn hiccups are completely harmless. They don’t hurt your baby and don’t interfere with breathing. Still, many parents wonder why hiccups happen and what they can do to stop them. Let’s take a closer look.
What causes hiccups in newborns?
Wondering what causes hiccups in newborns? Hiccups happen when the diaphragm, the muscle that helps us breathe, suddenly contracts. It happens to adults too, but it’s much more common in newborns. Their bodies are still developing, and their nervous systems, which control reflexes like hiccups, are not fully mature yet. That means hiccups can simply be part of their normal development. Even in the womb, newborns get hiccups often.
Other common causes of newborn hiccups include:
- Swallowing air during feeding
Newborns can easily swallow air while feeding, especially when they’re eager or the bottle nipple doesn’t fit properly. This can cause their stomach to expand and irritate the diaphragm, leading to hiccups. - Rapid growth of internal organs
During the first few months, your newborn grows incredibly fast, inside and out. The diaphragm and the nerves around it are still getting used to this rapid development, which explains why hiccups are more frequent in young babies. - Sudden temperature changes
Some newborns develop hiccups in response to quick temperature shifts, like after a bath or when drinking a cold bottle. The body reacts reflexively, and one result may be hiccups.
Newborn hiccups after feeding: what can you do?
One of the most common causes of hiccups in newborns is air intake during feeding. If your little one gets hiccups during or after a feed, here’s how to help a newborn with hiccups and possibly prevent them from happening:
- Hold your newborn upright during and after feeding, for at least 20 minutes
- Offer frequent breaks for burping during feeds
- Check the bottle nipple or latch (if breastfeeding) to minimize air swallowing
- Offer a few extra sips of milk, sometimes this helps relax the diaphragm
Still wondering how to control hiccups in your newborn after feeding? It often comes down to supporting your baby’s digestion and positioning. Keeping them upright helps release trapped air naturally.
When should you be concerned?
It can look intense when your newborns little body bounces with every hiccup. And if it happens several times a day, you might start to wonder. But here’s the good news: frequent hiccups are generally normal, especially in the early months. There’s no such thing as “too many” hiccups unless there are other symptoms involved.
If your newborn gets hiccups a lot and seems restless, has trouble feeding while hiccupping, or shows other signs of discomfort, it’s a good idea to talk to your pediatrician. In rare cases, hiccups may point to an underlying issue, but for most newborns, they’re just a harmless reflex.
How to stop newborn hiccups: final thoughts
As you’ve read, hiccups in newborns are almost always nothing to worry about. But how to stop newborn hiccups if they seem to bother your baby? The best answer is simple: stay calm, be patient, and support your little one as best you can. In most cases, the hiccups will stop on their own. Hiccups are often a sign of a healthy, growing body adapting to life outside the womb.
Curious to learn more about what goes on inside your baby’s body, from hiccups and feeding to sleep and developmental leaps? Our app helps you track your baby’s progress, and in our community forum, you can find support and share stories with other parents.
