- Baby hiccups are caused by their diaphragm involuntarily spasming or contracting. When this happens, air is sucked into their lungs faster than it is during a normal breath. Once this air reaches their vocal cords, they contract quickly and make the 'hiccup' sound that we're all familiar with.
- To help your baby’s hiccups, take the time to burp them during and after feeds, gently rub your baby’s back, switch up your feeding position and pace, always stay calm or offer them a soother if all else fails.
Newborn hiccups are very common, and they’re usually harmless and will often disappear naturally after a few minutes. You may first feel baby hiccups in the womb – causing a ‘jerk’ feeling during pregnancy – and this hiccupping continues once they're born.
If you're worried that hiccupping is becoming uncomfortable for your baby or is interfering with their breathing, there’s some things you can do to help.
Read on to learn more about why babies get hiccups, and how you can help soothe your baby when they experience them.
What are hiccups in newborns and children?
Just like in adults, baby hiccups are a natural reflex. They happen when their diaphragm (the dome-shaped muscle that relaxes and contracts at the bottom of their chest) involuntarily spasms or contracts. When this happens, air is sucked into their lungs faster than it is during a normal breath. Once this air reaches their vocal cords, they contract quickly and make the 'hiccup' sound that we're all familiar with.
Why do newborn hiccups happen?
Newborn hiccups can happen for a variety of reasons, such as swallowing air while feeding, overfeeding, trapped gas in the stomach, colic, or a fast flow of milk. They can also be triggered by a sudden change in temperature, excitement, anxiety, or just as a natural reflex of the diaphragm.
Occasionally, hiccups in babies can be a symptom of infant acid reflux. If this is the case, they’ll usually present alongside other symptoms like arching of the back and crying while feeding, being irritable, spitting up food, and coughing. If you spot these symptoms, contact your GP for advice.
How to help a baby with hiccups
While hiccups can be frustrating for both a baby and their caregiver, they typically resolve on their own after a few minutes and don’t usually require medical attention. But, if you do want to help ease or prevent your baby from getting hiccups, you can give these tips and tricks a try…
Take time to burp baby
Some babies can be difficult to wind, but it’s an important step that shouldn’t be skipped. Burping a baby frequently during and after feeds and avoiding overfeeding them can help to minimise the occurrence of hiccups.
Rub baby's back
Soft, gentle strokes can help relax a baby and can help to stop or reduce the spasms of hiccupping.
Switch up your feeding position and pace
It can help to keep your baby upright or experiment by adjusting your breastfeeding hold or the position of their bottle when feeding them. You can also try to slow down the pace of your baby’s feeds and have a few more breaks to wind them during each feed.
Adjust the frequency of your feeds
Offering your baby smaller feeds more often can help them swallow less air and reduce the likelihood of hiccups.
Stay calm and relaxed
Try to make sure your baby is chilled during a feed and that the environment around you is calm. It can also help to make sure they have a clean nappy on and feel comfortable before you feed them.
Offer them a soother
Some parents find that giving their little one a soother helps to relax their diaphragm and therefore eases baby hiccups.
