It's three in the morning. The baby has just finished feeding, and then it starts — hic, hic, hic. You wonder if it's normal, if it hurts, and if you should do something.

Take a breath. Hiccups in newborns are one of the most common things there is. The vast majority of babies hiccup regularly, and it is completely harmless. Here's why it happens and what you can do.

Why Do Newborns Hiccup?

Hiccups are involuntary contractions of the diaphragm — the large, flat muscle that separates the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity. When the diaphragm contracts quickly, the vocal cords close reflexively. Air from the lungs hits the closed glottis and produces that characteristic hiccuping sound.

In newborns, the nervous system and digestive system are immature. That means the diaphragm is more easily irritated and triggers the hiccup reflex. This is completely normal and part of development.

Did you know? Babies hiccup in the womb. They swallow amniotic fluid and produce urine, and many mothers can feel those rhythmic movements during pregnancy. So your baby is very accustomed to hiccuping.

Common Causes of Hiccups in Babies

Several things can trigger hiccups in infants:

Fast or eager feeding. If the baby drinks a lot of milk in a short time, the stomach fills quickly and may irritate the diaphragm. Hungry babies who feed enthusiastically hiccup more often.

Air in the stomach. Babies swallow air while breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. The air can press on the diaphragm and trigger hiccups. A poor latch at the breast, or a bottle nipple with a hole that's too large, increases the chance of this.

Temperature changes. Some babies react to being cooled — for example during a diaper change or clothing change. The old saying that babies hiccup because they're cold can actually be true in some cases.

Overstimulation. Hiccups can also be the baby's way of signaling that things got a little too intense. It can be a cue that "this is a bit much for me right now."

Reflux. In some babies, stomach contents flowing back up the esophagus can irritate the diaphragm and trigger hiccups. Read more about reflux in babies.

Are Hiccups Dangerous for the Baby?

No. Hiccups in newborns are completely harmless and considered normal by pediatricians and nurses. It doesn't mean the baby isn't doing well, even if they hiccup a lot.

It can look like the baby is uncomfortable, but hiccups themselves are not painful. You'll often see the baby continue eating and sleeping completely unbothered while hiccuping.

Don't compare. Some babies hiccup many times a day, others almost never. Both are normal. The amount of hiccuping varies from child to child and says nothing about health.

How You Can Help With Hiccups

Usually hiccups stop on their own within a few minutes. But if you'd like to try to help, here are some safe, evidence-based approaches:

Offer a Little Breast Milk or Liquid

Swallowing can help calm the diaphragm. Give the baby a few sips of breast milk or formula. The act of swallowing may help the hiccups resolve.

Keep the Baby Warm

Keeping the baby warm is a traditional tip that does have support from healthcare providers. Put on a pair of soft socks or wrap a small blanket around the baby. Many parents find this helps, especially if the hiccups started after a diaper change.

Help the Baby Burp

Hold the baby upright against your shoulder. Pat gently on the back until the baby burps. Getting air out of the stomach can stop the hiccups.

Keep the Baby Upright After Feeding

Hold the baby in an upright position for 10–15 minutes after a feed. Gravity helps food stay in the stomach and reduces the chance of the diaphragm becoming irritated.

Take Breaks During Feeding

If the baby often hiccups during or right after a feed, it can help to take small breaks. Let the baby burp midway through the feed before continuing.

Avoid old-fashioned adult remedies. Startling the baby, holding their breath, or giving cold water are tips for adults — not infants. Stick to the safe recommendations above.

Prevention — How to Reduce Hiccups

You can't prevent all hiccups, but you can reduce how often they happen:

Feed before the baby is very hungry. A calm, satisfied baby feeds more slowly and swallows less air
Check the latch. When breastfeeding, the baby should have a good, deep latch that includes much of the areola, not just the nipple
Choose the right bottle nipple. The hole should not be too large — milk should drip slowly, not flow freely
Keep the baby warm. Especially during diaper and clothing changes

Baby Hiccuping in Sleep — Is It Normal?

Yes. Babies can hiccup both when awake and while sleeping. Hiccups don't affect breathing, and you don't need to wake the baby. The best thing is to let nature take its course. Most babies sleep right through their hiccups.

When Should You Contact a Doctor?

Normal hiccups don't need medical attention. But contact your pediatrician if:

Hiccups last for several hours without stopping
The baby seems clearly distressed, cries intensely, or refuses to feed
Hiccups are accompanied by a lot of spitting up, vomiting, or poor weight gain
You notice breathing difficulties in connection with the hiccups
The baby is not gaining weight as expected

In very rare cases, prolonged hiccups can be caused by irritation of the nerves that supply the diaphragm. But for the vast, vast majority of babies, hiccups are a completely normal part of being tiny.

Remember: If you're worried, it's always fine to reach out to your pediatrician. They're used to questions about hiccups and are happy to help.

When Will the Baby Stop Hiccuping So Much?

Most babies hiccup most frequently in the first six months. As the nervous system and digestive system mature, the hiccups gradually decrease. By around one year of age, hiccup frequency is usually similar to that of older children and adults.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can hiccups be a sign of colic?

Hiccups and colic are two different things. Colic is about prolonged, intense crying without a known cause. Hiccups are a muscle contraction in the diaphragm. They can occur at the same time, but one does not cause the other.

Should I stop breastfeeding if the baby hiccups?

No, you don't need to stop. But it can help to take a short break, let the baby burp, and continue once the hiccups have settled. Many babies breastfeed perfectly well while hiccuping.

Can the baby choke on hiccups?

No. Hiccups don't affect the airway in a dangerous way. The baby breathes normally between hiccups. It may look dramatic, but it's safe.

Does it matter whether the baby gets breast milk or formula?

No, hiccups are equally common in breastfed and formula-fed babies. The cause is the same — an immature diaphragm that reacts to stimuli.

Can a baby hiccup too much?

There's no defined limit for a "normal" amount of hiccuping. As long as the baby is otherwise thriving, feeding well, and gaining weight, frequent hiccups are not a problem.

First Week Home With a Newborn — everything you need to know the first week
Reflux in Babies — the difference between spitting up and reflux

Sources

AAP. "Infant Health — Common Concerns." aap.org
Mayo Clinic. "Baby hiccups: What causes them?" mayoclinic.org
Cleveland Clinic. "Why Do Babies Hiccup?" clevelandclinic.org

Newborn Hiccups: Why It Happens and What to Do