Newborn hiccups after feeding are normal and usually harmless. A full tummy or a little swallowed air presses on your baby’s diaphragm, and the hiccups start. It bothers you far more than it bothers your baby. Nearly every infant hiccups, especially in the first year, and it usually stops on its own. Here is why it happens after breastfeeding or a bottle, how to stop and prevent it, and the rare times it is worth a call to your doctor.
What is a baby hiccup?
A hiccup is a sudden, involuntary tightening of the diaphragm, the muscle under the lungs that helps us breathe. At the same moment the glottis, the part of the voice box where the vocal cords sit, snaps shut. That quick closure makes the familiar “hic” sound.
Babies have hiccups more often than adults because their diaphragm and digestive system are still maturing. A full stomach sits right under the diaphragm, so anything that stretches the stomach can set it off.
Why do newborns get hiccups after feeding?
Most newborn hiccups start during or right after a feed, whether you are breastfeeding or giving a bottle. The usual causes:
- A very full tummy. A big or fast feed stretches the stomach against the diaphragm.
- Swallowed air. Air from a shallow latch, a fast-flowing bottle nipple, or gulping adds to the stretch.
- Excitement or a change in temperature. Some babies hiccup after a lot of activity or when they get a little chilly.
- Reflux. In some babies, milk coming back up can trigger frequent hiccups. More on that below.
If you are worried about how often they happen, keep a simple log for a few days: when the hiccups start, how long they last, and what happened just before. Patterns usually show up quickly, and the log is useful if you talk with your pediatrician.
How to stop and prevent baby hiccups after feeding
If your baby seems content, you can simply let the hiccups run their course. If hiccups start during a feed, the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests changing your baby’s position, burping, or helping them relax, then waiting until the hiccups stop. If they are still going after 5 to 10 minutes, go back to feeding for a few minutes, which usually stops them. To have fewer of them in the first place:
- Feed before your baby is frantic. A calm baby gulps less air than a very hungry one, so watch for early hunger cues.
- Feed smaller amounts more often. Since overfeeding is a common cause, shorter, more frequent feeds put less pressure on the diaphragm.
- Burp during the feed, not only after. Pause to burp when you switch breasts, or every 2 to 3 ounces from a bottle. Slowing the whole feed down helps too.
- Check the latch. Too much air causes hiccups as surely as too much milk. A deep latch, with your baby’s lips flanged out around the breast, keeps the seal tight.
- Angle the bottle. Tilt the bottle so the nipple stays full of milk and the air rises to the bottom. If your baby gulps or sputters, try a slower-flow nipple or a bottle designed to vent air. Some bottles trap more air than others, and we know moms who swear by collapsible bottle bags.
- Pace bottles of pumped milk. Hold the bottle more level, pause every minute or so, and let your baby set the pace. It slows gulping and the air that comes with it.
- Offer a pacifier. Sucking can relax the diaphragm and stop a bout of hiccups. Gently rubbing your baby’s back helps them relax as well.
- Keep your baby upright. Hold your baby upright for 10 to 15 minutes after a feed so air can rise to the top of the stomach and come out as a burp.
What not to do when your baby has hiccups
Old tricks for adult hiccups are not safe or helpful for babies. Skip these:
- Startling or scaring your baby
- Pulling on your baby’s tongue, or pressing on their eyes or the soft spot on their head
- Giving water to a baby under 6 months, who should only have breast milk or formula
Gripe water is another common suggestion. It is sold as a supplement, so it is not regulated like a medicine, and there is little evidence it helps. Ask your pediatrician before you try it.
Can babies get hiccups in the womb?
Yes. Many moms feel fetal hiccups during the second and third trimesters as small, rhythmic jerks or taps that repeat for a few minutes. They are a normal part of development, as your baby practices the movements used for breathing.
When hiccups might mean something more
Hiccups on their own are rarely a sign of a problem. When they come along with other symptoms, they can point to reflux, which is common and usually manageable. Read more about the causes of baby spit-up and why babies cry after feeding.
Questions parents ask about baby hiccups
Are hiccups bad for newborns?
No. Hiccups are normal in newborns and usually do not bother them at all. Many babies hiccup through a feed or even fall asleep with them.
How long do newborn hiccups last?
Most bouts stop on their own within 5 to 10 minutes. If they regularly go on for hours or come with other symptoms, mention it to your pediatrician.
Can I feed my baby while they have hiccups?
Yes. Offering the breast, a bottle, or a pacifier can actually help stop hiccups, because sucking relaxes the diaphragm. Just keep the feed slow and burp often.
Can I lay my baby down with hiccups?
Yes. Hiccups do not affect breathing, so it is fine to lay your baby down on their back to sleep as usual. Many babies fall asleep with them.
Are hiccups in the womb the same as newborn hiccups?
They are the same reflex. In the womb, hiccups are part of your baby practicing breathing movements. After birth they mostly come from feeding, when a full stomach presses on the diaphragm.
Does gripe water help with baby hiccups?
There is little evidence that it does, and it is not regulated like a medicine. Check with your pediatrician before giving your baby gripe water or any supplement.
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