Newborn hiccups are completely normal and almost never a sign that anything is wrong. They’re caused by sudden spasms of the diaphragm — the muscle under the lungs — usually triggered by feeding too quickly, swallowing air, or a full tummy. To help them pass, pause the feed, hold your baby upright against your shoulder, and rub or gently pat their back until they burp. Most bouts clear up on their own within a few minutes, and hiccups don’t hurt or distress babies the way they bother adults.
Why newborns get hiccups so often
If your baby seems to hiccup after every feed, you’re not doing anything wrong — newborns are simply hiccup-prone. Their digestive systems are still maturing, and the diaphragm is easily irritated in the early weeks. The main triggers are:
- Feeding too fast: a very hungry baby gulping milk, or a fast let-down during breastfeeding, can irritate the diaphragm.
- Swallowing air: air gets trapped during feeds, particularly if the latch isn’t quite right or the bottle teat flow is too fast.
- Overfeeding: a very full stomach presses against the diaphragm and sets off spasms.
- Sudden changes: some babies hiccup when moved from a warm cot to a cooler room, or after a bout of crying.
Some babies even hiccup in the womb — many mums-to-be feel those rhythmic little jumps in the third trimester. It’s the same reflex, and it’s a sign the nervous system is developing as it should.
How to stop newborn hiccups
Here’s the reassuring truth: you don’t strictly need to do anything. Hiccups are harmless and fade by themselves. But if they’re interrupting a feed or you simply want to help things along, try these steps:
1. Pause and burp
Stop the feed and hold your baby upright against your chest or over your shoulder. Rub their back firmly but gently, or give soft pats, until they bring up wind. Burping releases the trapped air that’s often behind the spasms.
2. Change position
Sit your baby upright on your lap, supporting their head and chest with one hand while you rub their back with the other. The upright posture takes pressure off the diaphragm and often settles things faster than lying flat.
3. Offer a short, calm feed
Counterintuitive as it sounds, a little more sucking can stop hiccups — the rhythmic swallowing can reset the diaphragm. Offer the breast or a small amount of expressed milk or formula, keeping the feed slow and relaxed. This works best once you’ve burped them first.
4. Wait it out
If nothing else works, simply wait. Keep your baby upright and comfortable, and the hiccups will pass within a few minutes. Never try startling your baby, pulling their tongue, or holding their breath — folk remedies meant for adults are unsafe for newborns.
Preventing hiccups in the first place
While you can’t eliminate hiccups entirely, a few feeding tweaks can make them less frequent. Feed your baby before they get frantically hungry, so they feed calmly rather than gulping. If bottle-feeding, check the teat flow — milk should drip steadily, not pour. Aim for a good latch when breastfeeding; your midwife or health visitor can help with positioning if you’re unsure. Burp halfway through the feed as well as at the end, and keep your baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes after feeding rather than laying them flat straight away.
Keeping feeds calm and unhurried matters more than any single technique. A relaxed feeding environment — dim lights, minimal fuss — helps your baby feed at their own pace, which is good for everything from hiccups to storing expressed breast milk safely for later. Many parents find that slowing down feeds becomes easier once they build in small moments of calm for themselves too, such as a brief daily mindfulness practice between feeds.
When to speak to your GP or health visitor
Hiccups alone are never an emergency. But do contact your GP, health visitor, or NHS 111 if hiccups come with other worrying signs:
- Frequent vomiting or posseting that seems excessive
- Your baby isn’t feeding well or is refusing feeds
- Poor weight gain or fewer wet nappies than usual
- Hiccups lasting for hours, day after day
- Arching of the back, irritability, or distress during or after feeds
These can occasionally point to reflux or another feeding issue that’s worth getting checked. Trust your instincts — health visitors would far rather reassure you about something harmless than have you worry at home.
Do gripe water or home remedies help?
You may hear well-meaning suggestions for gripe water, herbal teas, or a dab of sugar water. There’s no good evidence that any of these stop hiccups, and some — particularly anything containing alcohol or unregulated herbal ingredients — aren’t suitable for newborns at all. The NHS advises against giving babies anything other than breast milk or formula in the first six months unless a health professional recommends it. Gentle, boring methods (burping, positioning, patience) are both safer and more effective.
It’s also worth knowing that hiccups often peak in the evening, when babies are overtired and feeds become frantic. If that’s your pattern, try bringing bedtime feeds slightly earlier, before your baby gets past the point of calm feeding. An overtired baby swallows more air, cries more, and hiccups more — settling the evening routine often settles the hiccups with it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do newborn hiccups hurt the baby?
No. Unlike adults, newborns don’t find hiccups uncomfortable or distressing. Most babies sleep straight through a bout of hiccups without waking. The spasms are a normal reflex and cause no pain.
Should I stop feeding when my baby gets hiccups?
Pause the feed and try burping first. If the hiccups settle, you can carry on feeding. If they continue, there’s no harm in continuing to feed slowly — many babies feed perfectly happily through hiccups.
Can I give my newborn water for hiccups?
No. Babies under six months shouldn’t be given water unless a health professional advises it — breast milk or formula provides all the hydration they need. Offering a short feed is the safe alternative.
How long do newborn hiccups usually last?
Most bouts last a few minutes and clear up on their own. They tend to become less frequent as your baby’s digestive system matures, usually noticeably easing by three to four months.
For more guidance on feeding and newborn care, the NHS website has detailed, evidence-based advice, and the NCT (National Childbirth Trust) offers practical support and local parent groups across the UK.
