How to Get Rid of My Baby's Hiccups

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It's normal to get a little nervous if your baby is hiccuping. Don't worry, though! Hiccups are totally normal and harmless. Doctors recommend just waiting them out. If you want to speed up the process, there are several things you can try. Keep reading for lots of great ideas!

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   Give your baby something to suck on to soothe them. This is great to try if the hiccups last more than a couple of minutes. Any pacifier you have on hand will work. The pacifier will typically cause the hiccups to ease or stop entirely.^[1]

   • Don't worry if the hiccups don't immediately stop. Remember, hiccups don't really bother babies.

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   This over-the-counter remedy can help stop hiccups. Although many people give this to babies for an upset tummy, doctors say it's totally fine to give your baby a little bit if they have hiccups. You can find this at any drug or box store.^[2]

   • Make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging and reach out to your pediatrician if you have any questions.

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   Feeding them might cause hiccups to naturally stop. If they are going through the motions of latching and drinking, they likely won't hiccup at the same time. If you breastfeed, see if your baby is interested in that to calm the hiccups.^[3]

   • Don't worry if your baby keeps hiccuping while eating. That happens sometimes, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

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   Offer a few gentle pats after burping or feeding. This soft motion might cause the hiccups to stop. It can also help you remember to take a pause during feeding, which can also help alleviate hiccups.^[4] Rub your baby's back to see if that soothes them.^[5]

   • Use gentle, circular motions to rub the back.

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   Hiccups don't trouble babies even though they might make you nervous. When you have a new baby, it's normal to want to help them out anytime you think something is bothering them. There are several things you can try to make them stop hiccuping, but most doctors recommend simply waiting it out.^[6] The hiccups usually go away on their own in a few minutes.^[7]

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   Try burping halfway through feeding. When you're ready to switch your baby from one breast to the other, pause and burp him or her gently before resuming feeding with the other breast. If you bottle-feed, take a break to burp your baby when the bottle is halfway finished. This gives your baby the chance to digest some of the milk, reducing the chances that they will get too full and start hiccuping.^[8]

   • Taking a break for as long as 5-10 minutes during feedings might help alleviate hiccups.
   • Hold your baby on your shoulder and gently pat on the back to burp them. You can also try moving the baby higher on your shoulder so that their tummy rests on your shoulder. That might help release more air.

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   This can make them feel more comfortable and prevent hiccups. Your baby's stomach may be getting distended from swallowing too much air during feedings. This isn't harmful to the baby, but it can cause hiccups. Try shifting the baby to a more upright (30- to 45-degree angle) position during feedings so that air doesn't get a chance to settle in the stomach and cause the diaphragm to contract.^[9]

   • Play around with the position until you find what's comfortable for both you and your baby. You might try feeding while standing or with your feeding arm stacked on a pile of pillows.

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   This might keep your baby from getting hiccups frequently. You can sit and relax while holding them upright, or you could try walking around with them.^[10] Whatever works best for you and your baby is the best thing to do.^[11]

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   Sometimes hiccups are caused by gastroesophageal reflux. This is a common condition in which babies regurgitate contents from the stomach into the esophagus, causing pain and hiccups to occur. If your baby seems to have hiccups all the time, this might be the culprit. Here are other symptoms to watch for:^[12]

   • Colicky behavior
   • Stomach pain
   • Spitting up frequently

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   Your pediatrician can help you figure out the best remedy. If you're concerned that your baby might have reflux, it's important to see your pediatrician to look into possible underlying issues. In many cases the condition is temporary, so your doctor may advise you to let it go away on its own.^[13]

   • Hiccups are super common in babies, but if you're worried it doesn't hurt anything to check in with your doctor. That's what they are there for!

Add New Question

• Question

  Are hiccups bad for newborns?

  

  Dr. Muhammad Khan is a Gastroenterologist, with over 10 years of experience. Dr. Khan specializes in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, and has a special focus in Therapeutic Endoscopy. He received his Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate of Medicine degrees from The University of Utah. Dr. Khan completed his residency training at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where he was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He then completed his fellowship training at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. He is a Fellow of both the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN).

  

  Board Certified Gastroenterologist

  Expert Answer

  Baby hiccups are a natural occurrence and nothing to worry about. Sometimes, a baby will hiccup due to their developing nervous system.

• Question

  Do hiccups mean baby is full?

  

  Dr. Muhammad Khan is a Gastroenterologist, with over 10 years of experience. Dr. Khan specializes in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, and has a special focus in Therapeutic Endoscopy. He received his Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate of Medicine degrees from The University of Utah. Dr. Khan completed his residency training at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where he was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He then completed his fellowship training at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. He is a Fellow of both the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN).

  

  Board Certified Gastroenterologist

  Expert Answer

  It can, yes. When a baby's stomach is filled with food, it can put pressure on the top of the stomach, which can trigger a round of hiccups.

• Question

  How can hiccups be prevented?

  

  Dr. Muhammad Khan is a Gastroenterologist, with over 10 years of experience. Dr. Khan specializes in Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, and has a special focus in Therapeutic Endoscopy. He received his Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate of Medicine degrees from The University of Utah. Dr. Khan completed his residency training at Eastern Virginia Medical School, where he was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. He then completed his fellowship training at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford University. He is a Fellow of both the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) and the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (NASPGHAN).

  

  Board Certified Gastroenterologist

  Expert Answer

  Make sure to give your baby a good burping during feeding. You might also try switching to a vented baby bottle so your little one is only drinking milk and not air.

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Article SummaryX

To get rid of baby hiccups, try giving your baby something to eat, like applesauce, or breastfeeding them, which can help relax your baby's diaphragm so they stop hiccuping. Also, if your baby is old enough, you can give them some water to help combat the hiccups. To prevent hiccups from happening in the first place, try slowing down your baby's feedings by feeding them half as much, twice as often. Or, you can stop and burp your baby halfway through a feeding to slow things down. To learn how to tell if your baby has reflux, read on!

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How to Get Rid of My Baby's Hiccups

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