Newborn Hiccups: Causes and Relief

Father securely cradling an awake newborn at home — A comfortable baby can be allowed to settle without trying to stop every hiccup.

Newborn hiccups are common and usually settle on their own; a comfortable baby generally needs no treatment.

For caregivers in the newborn weeks, the useful question is whether to wait, pause a feed or seek help.

SUMMARY

Check whether your baby is comfortable, breathing normally and their usual colour before deciding to wait.
If hiccups interrupt a feed, pause, change your baby’s position and help them relax.
For sleep, place your baby flat on their back, even if they have reflux.

Why the little “hic” happens

A hiccup starts with an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, the breathing muscle below the lungs, followed by a quick closing of the vocal cords.

The exact reason babies hiccup is uncertain, but swallowing air or taking too much milk may expand the stomach and irritate the diaphragm.

There is no sure way to stop hiccups immediately.

Close view of an awake newborn’s face and chest in supported arms — Wait only while your baby seems well.

When hiccups interrupt a feed

If hiccups interrupt a feed, pause, change your baby’s position and help them relax.

Parent holding a milk bottle away during a feeding pause — A feeding pause gives you a chance to change position and offer a gentle burp.

To try a gentle burp, hold your baby upright against your shoulder with their head and back supported, and softly pat their back.

Parent supporting a newborn upright against the shoulder with a hand on the back — Keep the head supported while gently patting the back.

Resume the feed when the hiccups have stopped.

If your baby already uses a pacifier, sucking on it may help settle hiccups.

Before the next feed

If hiccups often happen during feeds, try feeding while your baby is calm, before they become extremely hungry.

When your baby becomes sleepy

For sleep, place your baby flat on their back, even if they have reflux.

Use a firm, flat mattress and keep pillows, loose blankets, toys and sleep positioners out of the crib.

Do not raise the head of the crib to manage reflux.

Newborn sleeping on their back in an empty flat crib — The sleep surface stays flat and clear, including after a feed.

Skip water, honey and sugar remedies

Do not give a newborn extra water as a hiccup remedy; breast milk or infant formula are the appropriate drinks at this age unless their clinician advises otherwise.

Never give honey before 12 months, including in milk or on a pacifier, because it can cause infant botulism.

Do not offer sugar water to stop hiccups; infants should not have added sugars.

When to get help

If hiccups come with repeated coughing, spit-up and distress during or after feeds, ask your baby’s clinician about reflux.

Arrange a medical assessment if your baby is not gaining weight or is losing weight.

Parent holding a newborn while speaking with a pediatric clinician — Repeated feeding discomfort is a reason to discuss symptoms with your baby’s clinician.

Seek urgent medical advice if your baby refuses feeds, repeatedly cannot keep milk down, or has projectile, green, yellow or bloody vomit.

A baby under 3 months with a temperature of 38°C or higher needs urgent medical advice.

Call your local emergency number immediately if your baby stops breathing, struggles for breath, suddenly turns blue or grey, or cannot be woken.

If you are worried that your baby is unwell, contact a clinician promptly.

Feeding questions

What if my baby does not burp?

Babies do not burp every time; if no burp comes after several minutes and your baby is comfortable, you can continue feeding.

What if the hiccups have not stopped and my baby wants milk?

If hiccups remain after 5–10 minutes and your baby is comfortable and willing to feed, try resuming the feed for a few minutes.