Guides · Newborn care
Baby Hiccups: Why They Happen, How Long They Last, and What Actually Helps
If your newborn seems to hiccup constantly, you're not alone. Baby hiccups are one of the most common — and most harmless — things parents notice in the first weeks and months. Here's what's happening, what helps, and the rare situations worth a call to the doctor.
Why newborns get hiccups
Hiccups are caused by a sudden involuntary contraction of the diaphragm — the large dome-shaped muscle that sits below the lungs and drives breathing. When the diaphragm spasms, it causes a sharp intake of breath that's cut off almost instantly by the closing of the vocal cords, producing the characteristic "hic" sound.
In newborns this happens more often than in older children or adults for a straightforward reason: the diaphragm is still immature. It hasn't yet developed the fine motor control that dampens the small irritations and stimuli that trigger spasms. Add a full stomach pressing upward against the diaphragm after a feed, and the conditions for hiccups are almost always present.
Hiccups can also be triggered by a rapid change in stomach temperature — such as swallowing air that's colder or warmer than body temperature — or simply by excitement and deep breaths during active feeding. None of this is a problem. Pediatricians consider frequent hiccuping completely normal throughout the first year of life.
How long do baby hiccups last?
Most bouts resolve on their own within 5 to 15 minutes. Occasionally they stretch to 20 minutes, but rarely longer. Because they appear harmless to babies — newborns can sleep through a full round of hiccups without any apparent discomfort — there's usually no need to intervene at all.
If a bout lasts more than an hour, or if hiccups are occurring multiple times every day with no obvious trigger, it's worth noting the pattern and mentioning it at your next check-up. Hiccups in that range are uncommon enough that your pediatrician will want to rule out reflux or other digestive causes.
Breastfeeding vs. bottle: does it matter?
Hiccups can follow either type of feed, but bottle-fed babies tend to swallow more air during a feed. The faster, less variable flow of a bottle — compared with the active let-down reflex regulation that happens at the breast — means air bubbles enter the stomach more easily. The result is a fuller, more distended stomach that presses harder against the diaphragm.
A few things can reduce air swallowing during bottle feeds:
- Hold your baby at a 45-degree angle rather than flat.
- Use a slow-flow teat, especially in the early weeks.
- Tilt the bottle so the teat stays full of milk, not air.
- Pause mid-feed for a burp break rather than waiting until the end.
At the breast, a shallow latch can also cause extra air intake. If hiccups are very frequent after every breastfeed, it may be worth asking a lactation consultant to check the latch.
Remedies that actually help
There is no guaranteed cure, but the following approaches are safe and often shorten a bout:
- Pause and burp. The most reliably useful step. Sit your baby upright and gently rub or pat their back. Releasing trapped air reduces pressure on the diaphragm and often stops hiccups quickly.
- Offer a pacifier. The rhythmic sucking motion can help relax the diaphragm. This is one of the few interventions with some supportive evidence.
- Let them pass on their own. If your baby isn't distressed, waiting is entirely appropriate. Hiccups almost always stop without any intervention.
- Feed more slowly. For future feeds, try smaller, more frequent amounts if your baby tends to feed very quickly. Overfeeding in one sitting is a common trigger.
Things to avoid: holding your baby upside-down, startling them, pressing on their abdomen, or any method meant for adult hiccups. These don't work and some carry a risk of injury.
A note on gripe water
Gripe water is widely marketed as a remedy for colic, wind, and hiccups. There is no reliable clinical evidence that it shortens or prevents hiccups in infants. Some formulations contain alcohol or sugar, which are not appropriate for newborns. If you want to try it, check the ingredient list and ask your pharmacist or pediatrician first — but don't expect it to do much for hiccups specifically.
When to contact your doctor
Hiccups on their own are almost never a medical concern. Talk to your pediatrician if:
- A hiccup bout lasts more than one hour.
- Hiccups are accompanied by large amounts of spitting up or forceful vomiting after every feed.
- Your baby seems distressed, arches their back, or refuses to feed because of hiccups.
- You notice difficulty breathing during or after a bout.
- Hiccups begin to interfere with sleep or feeding consistently.
These signs can point to gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or another digestive issue that responds well to treatment when caught early.
This article is for general information only and does not replace professional medical advice. If anything about your baby's health worries you, contact your pediatrician.
Frequently asked questions
Why do newborns get hiccups so often?
Newborns hiccup frequently because their diaphragm is still immature and easily irritated. After a feed, a full stomach presses against the diaphragm, triggering involuntary spasms. This is completely normal and usually decreases as the baby grows over the first year.
How long do baby hiccups usually last?
Most bouts resolve within 5 to 15 minutes and rarely stretch beyond 20 minutes. Babies can often sleep right through them. If hiccups last more than an hour or occur alongside spitting up and distress, mention it to your pediatrician.
What can I do to stop my baby's hiccups?
Pause the feed and burp your baby gently — this is the most effective step. Offering a pacifier can also help. In most cases simply waiting a few minutes is enough, as hiccups stop on their own. There is no evidence that gripe water shortens hiccups in babies.
When should I worry about baby hiccups?
Contact your doctor if hiccups last more than an hour, occur with large amounts of spitting up or vomiting, cause visible distress or difficulty breathing, or consistently interfere with feeding or sleep. These could indicate reflux or another condition that benefits from early treatment.
Track feeding with Bebblo
Hiccups often follow a feed, and spotting patterns is easier when you log each session. Bebblo lets you record breastfeeding, bottle feeds, and burp notes with a single tap — so you can see at a glance whether hiccups cluster around certain feeds or times of day. Free, no mandatory account.