How to Stop Newborn’s Hiccups Safely at Home

How to Stop Newborn Hiccups?

If you wish to know what to do if your baby has hiccups, here are some effective strategies to help manage and reduce them:

• Maintain a slow feeding pace to ease the issue of newborn hiccups.

• After feeding, hold your baby in an upright position to promote smoother digestion and help prevent hiccups. Burping your baby helps release excess gas from their stomach, so its important to burp your baby after each feeding. To burp your baby, hold them upright and gently pat or rub their back.

• Avoid feeding your baby when they are agitated or crying. It's best to wait until they are calm, as feeding during distress can lead to swallowing air or difficulty in swallowing milk properly. This may irritate the esophagus and trigger hiccups.

• Make sure the bottle nipple is completely filled with milk to prevent your baby from swallowing air, as excess air intake can worsen hiccups.

Are Baby Hiccups Normal?

Babies go through many adorable phases as they grow—from tiny yawns to gentle coos. But for new parents, it’s natural to wonder whether certain behaviours are normal. One common concern is hiccups. The good news is that baby hiccups are completely normal and harmless. They’re often just a part of your baby’s natural development. However, if the hiccups seem bothersome, there are simple methods you can try to relieve them and reduce potential triggers.

What Causes Hiccups in Babies?

The primary reason for hiccups in newborns is spasms of the diaphragm, a large muscle located just below the rib cage that separates the chest from the abdomen. Since your baby’s diaphragm is small and still developing, it’s common for it to experience these spasms. When this happens, the diaphragm contracts involuntarily, causing the vocal cords to close rapidly and produce the characteristic hiccup sound.

Several factors can trigger these hiccups in babies. The key factors are listed below:

1. Fluctuations in the baby’s stomach temperature

Feeding your baby something cold, like cold milk, followed immediately by something warm, such as porridge, can trigger hiccups due to the sudden change in temperature.

2. Overfeeding the baby

Feeding your baby too much or too quickly can trigger hiccups, as fast feeding often causes them to swallow excess air, which contributes to hiccups.

3. Gastroesophageal acid reflux

Gastroesophageal acid reflux (GERD) can also trigger hiccups in newborns and babies. This occurs when stomach acids flow back up into the oesophagus, the food pipe that passes through the diaphragm. The irritation from this reflux can cause the diaphragm to spasm, leading to hiccups.

Should You Be Worried About Baby Hiccups?

There’s usually no need to worry about newborn or infant hiccups. Hiccups are simply a natural reflex and often go away on their own without causing discomfort. Most babies can even sleep through them. However, you should seek medical advice if your baby shows additional symptoms such as gasping or vomiting along with hiccups. Also, if hiccups last longer than 10 minutes, occur frequently, or seem to distress your baby, it’s important to consult a doctor.

How to Prevent Baby Hiccups?

If your baby starts hiccupping all of a sudden or during feeds, you may try some simple home treatments to relieve your child.

1. Give gripe water:

Although there is no strong scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness, some parents find that giving their baby gripe water helps relieve hiccups.

2. Startle your baby:

Some believe that gently startling the baby can interrupt the hiccup cycle and soothe them, though this method is not medically proven.

3. Offer water carefully:

Allow your baby to drink small sips of water slowly, but avoid turning the baby upside down, as this can be unsafe. Gentle feeding in a comfortable, upright position is preferable to help manage hiccups.

What Not to Do?

While trying to suppress newborn hiccups, you must avoid the following:

• Never give your baby sweeteners like honey or sugar to stop hiccups, as this can increase the risk of infant botulism.

• Avoid pinching your baby’s nasal bridge or squeezing their eyeballs, as these actions can cause injury.

• Do not introduce any foods other than breast milk or formula without consulting your paediatrician, as this may do more harm than good.

Conclusion

Hiccups in babies are a normal and harmless part of early development, so there’s usually no cause for concern. However, parents should remain vigilant. If your baby experiences prolonged hiccups or if they are accompanied by symptoms it could signal a medical emergency. Being prepared for such situations is important.

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Sources: acko.com

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Kindly contact your doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

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Published on July 10, 2025