How to Get Rid of Newborn Hiccups

Just as it seems a bit mind-boggling why we as adults experience hiccups, it is the same for newborns. In many instances, hiccups occur for unknown reasons, in both babies and adults. However, infant hiccups could be linked to gas.

“We don’t know exactly why, but hiccups may be caused by increased gas in the stomach,” Dr. Kylie Liermann explained to the Cleveland Clinic.

She hypothesized that baby hiccups could occur during eating. “If babies overfeed or gulp air during eating, that could cause the stomach to expand and rub against the diaphragm, generating those hiccups,” she added.

Rest assured that while your baby may be experiencing hiccups that might disrupt their comfort, hiccuping is a natural body response.

While some cases of hiccups may have no known cause, others may be the result of how your baby is eating or being fed. Here are some tips for how to get rid of baby hiccups if the hiccups are occurring during or shortly after eating:

• Try to avoid feeding your little one while they are fussy. Fussy babies may latch incorrectly or cry and gulp air while feeding, so whenever possible, feed before the fussiness sets in.
• Change up positions. As a mom of two, I can easily say that you do need to switch it up. Sometimes what we think is comfortable is not comfortable for our babies. Try feeding them in a more upright position. This will help digestion, which may even help with spit-ups and prevent those hiccups.
• Keep the bottle tilted. When bottle-feeding your newborn, keep your bottle tilted to prevent gaps in air intake.
• Use gas-reducing nipples and bottles. Some bottles, like Dr. Brown’s anti-colic bottles, are specially designed to reduce air and gas.
• Burp your baby. A good burp is always a good thing — it’s all about the gas release. So, tapping your baby’s back and making sure they get that release after a feed is the best thing you can do to reduce their gas and discomfort level, as well as reduce the possibility that they will have hiccups.

We asked our experts – moms and doctors – to share their favorite ways of soothing hiccups.

Try a pacifier

Having your baby suck on their binkie or their beloved pacifier can help calm them, and may even out their breathing.

Nurse them

Sometimes the best way to help your baby get rid of a case of the hiccups is to nurse.

“I always nursed the baby per instructions from my very old-school Korean parents,” Soo Kie told Mom.com.

Consider gripe water

Have your baby take gripe water to reduce the gas in their stomach. Mom Sanna Jung shared with Mom.com that gripe water, along with ensuring her baby was comfortable and had a fresh diaper, was her special remedy for hiccups.

(Editor’s note: The American Academy of Pediatrics does not specifically recommend against using gripe water for babies, but it says there is no proof that it can be helpful for gas. Speak to your pediatrician before using it.)

Try a back massage

“Try rubbing your baby’s back in a circular motion to help release excess air and stop the hiccups,” shares registered nurse Chaunie Brusie.

Burp correctly

Burping your baby correctly not only reduces your little one’s chance of getting hiccups, but burping may also relieve the excess air that may be causing the hiccups.

When to seek medical help

There are instances when hiccups may indicate a more serious problem. Call a doctor or seek medical attention if:

• Your baby is having trouble breathing. In this case, 911 should be called immediately.
• The hiccups reoccur frequently. Contact a doctor and seek medical advice.
• The hiccups are accompanied by vomiting. Contact a doctor immediately.
• Your baby is in pain and has other symptoms alongside the hiccups. Contact a doctor immediately.