Hiccups happen when the diaphragm, the large sheet of muscle beneath the lungs, contracts involuntarily in rhythmic spasms. This causes the vocal cords to close suddenly, producing a "hic" sound. Hiccups are very common in babies and young children. Some babies hiccup while still in the womb, and after birth they may hiccup several times a day, especially during or after feeds.
The good news is that most baby hiccups are harmless, do not hurt your baby, and usually stop on their own within a few minutes. This article explains common causes, safe ways to ease hiccups, what to avoid, and when to take your baby to a doctor.
What Causes Baby Hiccups?
In babies, hiccups are often linked to feeding and air in the stomach, which stimulate the nearby diaphragm (Source: Cleveland Clinic). Common causes include:
- Feeding too quickly or too much: A rapidly expanding stomach presses against the diaphragm, causing hiccups during or after feeds.
- Swallowing air during feeds: This can happen with a shallow breastfeeding latch, a bottle teat that flows too quickly or too slowly, or a bottle held at an angle that leaves air in the teat.
- Prolonged crying: Crying causes babies to swallow more air.
- Acid reflux: Some babies who hiccup frequently and spit up a lot may have acid reflux. Read more about acid reflux symptoms in babies.
- No clear cause: Babies often hiccup without an identifiable cause. This is a normal part of having a nervous system and muscles that are still developing.
Are Baby Hiccups Dangerous?
Baby hiccups are generally harmless, do not interfere with breathing, and do not distress most babies. Many can continue feeding or sleeping as usual. Hiccups gradually become less frequent as your baby grows.
Take your baby to a doctor if hiccups occur with any of the following:
- Frequent hiccups with excessive spitting up or vomiting, fussiness, or back arching after feeds.
- Hiccups that interfere with feeding or sleep, or poor weight gain.
- Difficulty breathing, noisy breathing, or bluish lips.
- Continuous hiccups lasting several hours without stopping.
How to Help Baby Hiccups
Most hiccups stop on their own without any intervention. However, if your baby hiccups frequently or you want to help them feel more comfortable, try these safe methods.
1. Take a Break and Burp Your Baby
If your baby hiccups during a feed, pause and hold them over your shoulder or sit them on your lap, supporting their chin and chest. Gently rub or pat their back to help them burp. Burping during a feed, such as when switching breasts or halfway through a feed, can help release air from the stomach.
2. Adjust How You Feed Your Baby
Feed your baby before they become so hungry that they cry, as very hungry babies suck quickly and swallow more air. Position their head higher than their tummy and help them latch deeply onto the breast, taking in the areola (see how to breastfeed correctly). If bottle-feeding, choose a teat with an age-appropriate flow rate and tilt the bottle so the teat stays filled with milk.
3. Hold Your Baby Upright After Feeds
After feeding, hold your baby upright for a while to help air escape more easily and reduce spitting up. If your baby spits up often, read more about what causes frequent spitting up in babies.
4. Offer a Pacifier
For babies who already use a pacifier, sucking may help relax the diaphragm and stop hiccups in some cases, although there is no clear evidence yet (read about the pros and cons of pacifiers).
5. Wait for Them to Stop on Their Own
If your baby is not fussy or uncomfortable, you can simply let the hiccups stop on their own. Most stop within a few minutes. There is no need to wake or disturb a sleeping baby.
Precautions: Do not give plain water or fruit juice to babies under 6 months to treat hiccups. Do not give honey or sugar to children under 1 year. Never startle your baby, pull their tongue, press on their soft spot, or shake them. Avoid massaging your baby with essential oils or lighting candles nearby, as these can irritate the skin and airways and pose a fire risk. There is no evidence that sticking paper or thread on the forehead helps, and it could come loose, enter the mouth, and cause choking. If your baby hiccups while asleep, continue placing them on their back on a firm mattress, following safe sleep guidelines.
Conclusion
Hiccups are a normal and common occurrence in babies. They are usually caused by feeding too quickly, feeding too much, or swallowing air, and generally stop on their own within a few minutes without causing harm. Safe ways to help include taking breaks to burp your baby, adjusting feeding position and pace, holding them upright after feeds, and waiting for the hiccups to stop naturally. Avoid potentially unsafe traditional remedies, such as giving water to young babies, startling them, or using essential oils. Consult a pediatrician if frequent hiccups occur with vomiting, marked fussiness, difficulty breathing, or reduced feeding (see information about reflux in babies from the NHS).
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