Your baby has just finished a lovely feed, eyes heavy, milk-drunk and content. Then it starts: hic, hic, hic, their whole little body jumping with each one. They seem completely unbothered, but you are wondering whether it hurts, whether you did something wrong, and how to make it stop.
Quick answer: Baby hiccups are very common and usually harmless. They happen when the diaphragm briefly tightens, often after feeding quickly, swallowing air or a very full tummy, and most stop on their own within minutes. Calm feeds, regular burping and holding your baby upright can help, but see a doctor if hiccups come with vomiting, distress or problems feeding or sleeping.
Key takeaways
- Hiccups are normal in babies and many babies even hiccup in the womb.
- Most episodes stop on their own and do not bother the baby nearly as much as they worry parents.
- Slower, calmer feeds, burping and an upright position after feeds can reduce how often they happen.
- Skip old remedies such as startling your baby, giving water to babies under 6 months, or pulling the tongue.
- Speak to a doctor if hiccups come with vomiting, arching or crying during feeds, or poor weight gain.
Why do babies get hiccups?
A hiccup is a sudden, involuntary tightening of the diaphragm, the dome-shaped muscle under the lungs that helps with breathing. As it tightens, the vocal cords snap shut for a moment, which makes the familiar "hic" sound.
In babies, this reflex is still maturing, so it is triggered easily. Common triggers include:
- Feeding quickly, especially when very hungry or with a fast milk flow.
- Swallowing air during breast or bottle feeds, for example with a shallow latch or a bottle held flat.
- A very full tummy, which can press on the diaphragm.
- Excitement or a change in temperature, such as moving from an air-conditioned room into a warmer one, may play a part for some babies.
If your milk flow is fast and your baby gulps or splutters, our guide to oversupply and a fast let-down has practical tips.
Are hiccups harmful for babies?
Usually not. Most babies carry on feeding, sleeping or playing happily with hiccups, and the episode passes within a few minutes, sometimes a little longer. Hiccups tend to become less frequent as babies grow, often by the time they are around a year old.
Hiccups on their own are not a sign that something is wrong. It is worth paying attention, though, if they seem to upset your baby a lot, happen very often alongside spitting up, or make feeding difficult. In some babies, frequent hiccups can come with reflux, where milk comes back up from the tummy into the oesophagus.
How can you help a baby with hiccups?
If your baby is content, you do not need to do anything. If they seem bothered, or you would like to reduce how often hiccups happen, try these gentle steps.
- Feed calmly. Start feeds before your baby is frantically hungry, and keep the room quiet and dim if they are easily distracted.
- Pause and burp. Burp during and after feeds, for example when switching breasts or every 60 to 90ml with a bottle. Hold your baby upright on your shoulder or sit them on your lap, supporting their chin, and pat or rub their back gently.
- Keep them upright after feeds. Holding your baby upright for 10 to 20 minutes after a feed can help milk settle and air come up.
- Check the latch. A deep latch helps reduce swallowed air. Our guide on getting a comfortable latch walks you through it.
- Try paced bottle feeding. Hold the bottle more horizontally, let your baby draw the milk in, and offer regular pauses. This slows the flow and reduces gulping. See our step-by-step guide to paced bottle feeding.
- Offer comfort sucking. Some parents find a dummy, sometimes called a pacifier, or a short suck at the breast helps hiccups settle.
Should you stop a feed for hiccups?
Not necessarily. If your baby is feeding comfortably, you can carry on. If hiccups seem to be making them fussy or pull off, pause, burp them upright, and continue once they are calmer.
Which hiccup myths should you avoid?
Well-meaning relatives may suggest remedies that work for adults or have been passed down for generations. Many are not suitable for babies.
| Myth | Why to skip it | What to do instead |
|---|---|---|
| Startle the baby to stop hiccups | Frightening or surprising a baby does not reliably work and can upset them | Stay calm, hold them upright and let the hiccups pass |
| Give a little water | Babies under 6 months who are breastfed or formula-fed do not need water, even in the UAE heat | Offer a breast or bottle feed if it is due |
| Pull the tongue gently | This can hurt and is not a safe or proven remedy | Try burping or comfort sucking |
| Press on the eyes or soft spot | Pressing on a baby's eyes or head is unsafe | Gently rub or pat their back |
| Give honey or sugar | Honey is not safe for babies under 1, and sugar is not needed | Wait it out or offer comfort sucking |
| Use gripe water routinely | Ingredients vary and evidence is limited | Ask your paediatrician or pharmacist before using any remedy |
If family remedies are causing tension at home, our article on handling unsolicited parenting advice may help.
When should you see a doctor about baby hiccups?
Hiccups alone are rarely a concern. Speak to your paediatrician if you notice:
- Hiccups along with frequent or forceful vomiting, or spitting up a lot after most feeds.
- Your baby seems in pain, arches their back, or cries during or after feeds.
- Hiccups regularly interfere with feeding or sleep.
- Coughing, gagging or choking during feeds.
- Poor weight gain, fewer wet nappies, or refusing feeds.
- Hiccups that last for hours or seem to be happening most of the day.
These can be signs of reflux or another feeding issue, and your doctor can check. If your baby has trouble breathing, turns blue or pale around the lips, or is unusually floppy, call 998 for an ambulance straight away. If crying is your main worry, our guide to colic soothing techniques may also help.
A small helper for calmer bottle feeds
Most hiccups need nothing more than patience and a good burp. If you bottle-feed, a smaller bottle can make it easier to pace feeds and pause often. Our borosilicate Glass Baby Bottle 120ml (AED 20) is BPA-free and lets you see exactly how much your baby has taken, which can help you build in burping breaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my baby get hiccups after every feed?
Hiccups after feeds are very common because a full tummy and swallowed air can trigger the diaphragm. Try feeding a little earlier before your baby is very hungry, burping during the feed, and holding them upright afterwards. If they also spit up a lot or seem uncomfortable, mention it to your paediatrician.
Can I put my baby down to sleep with hiccups?
Yes. Hiccups are generally harmless during sleep, and many babies drift off while hiccuping. Always place your baby on their back to sleep in a clear cot, following safe sleep guidance. If you prefer, hold them upright for a few minutes first until the hiccups ease.
Do newborns get more hiccups than older babies?
Often, yes. Newborns have immature reflexes and small tummies that fill quickly, so hiccups are common in the early weeks and months. Many babies were hiccuping in the womb too. Hiccups usually become less frequent as your baby grows, often by around their first birthday.
Can I give my baby water to stop hiccups?
Not if your baby is under 6 months. Breast milk or formula gives them all the fluid they need, even in hot weather, and extra water is not recommended at this age. If a feed is due, offer the breast or bottle instead. Once your baby has started solids, small sips of water with meals are fine.
Are frequent hiccups a sign of reflux?
They can be, but not always. Many babies with frequent hiccups are perfectly well. Reflux is more likely if hiccups come with lots of spitting up, crying or arching during feeds, coughing, or poor weight gain. If you notice these signs, speak to your paediatrician, who can check your baby and advise on next steps.
This article is for general information and isn't a substitute for advice from your doctor or paediatrician.
Baby hiccups can look dramatic, but they are usually just a sign of a tiny, busy body still learning. A calm feed, a gentle burp and a cuddle are often all that is needed. For feeding essentials, we deliver across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE.
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