How to Get Rid of Baby Hiccups: Real Moms Tips

Worried about your baby’s hiccups? Here are our top tips on how to get rid of baby hiccups, tried and tested by real moms. Find the best way to get rid of baby hiccups for you and your little peanut.
Seeing your little newborn have hiccups can often be cute – up to a point.

If baby becomes distressed from their hiccups, you’ll be keen to find a cure.

So here’s how to get rid of baby hiccups, featuring real-life tips from our veteran mamas of Peanut.

In this article: 📝

Is it normal for a baby to hiccup?
What happens if they get hiccups at a certain time?
How do I stop my baby’s hiccups?
Do baby hiccups mean they need to burp?
Can I lay a baby down with hiccups?
How long do newborn hiccups last?
How do you stop hiccups in a newborn?
When should you be concerned about baby hiccups?
What’s the best way to get rid of hiccups?

Is it normal for a baby to hiccup?

Yup, it’s really normal for babies to hiccup – and generally it’s not a cause for concern.

They can occur from time to time (sometimes daily), and will usually go away on their own.

And, just like with adults, it isn’t exactly clear why babies get hiccups.

It’s thought that hiccups might be something we can’t stop or control – a reflexive action, just like sneezing.

There might be triggers for babies though, like too much air in the tummy from feeding.

By the way, did you know that babies can hiccup in the womb?

You might have felt the little rhythmic “pops” of movement they make when they’re experiencing them.

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Do hiccups mean baby is full?

Not necessarily.

Sometimes, baby hiccups because of trapped gas.

Sometimes, it’s because they’re full.

Sometimes, it’s because they nursed too quickly.

Sometimes, it’s because of reflux.

|In truth, we don’t really know exactly why babies get hiccups.

Which means that trying to get rid of baby hiccups can be a bit of trial and error.

Are hiccups bad for newborns?

No, hiccups aren’t harmful for baby.

They may make them a little uncomfortable or upset from not being able to settle, but a baby with hiccups is not usually in pain.

What happens if they get hiccups at a certain time?

Hiccups can happen more during feeding time, so if you’re worried about when your baby is getting hiccups, why not keep a note and see if the times tally with when you’re feeding.

If you figure out this is the case, there are a few things you can try to help get rid of baby hiccups.

How to stop baby hiccups when feeding

If you’re bottle-feeding, pacing and burping regularly during the feed will help any trapped air in your baby’s tummy.

It also helps if your baby feels calm before the feed, because if they’re upset they can get hiccups before even starting to feed.

And after their feed, it’s best to try to keep them upright and not bounce them around too much.

If you’re breastfeeding, pacing the feed helps the baby breathe and not gulp air down.

If the latch is secure, then the chance of air getting into their tummies is less.

Try and take breaks to burp your baby, which stops them taking too much food too quickly.

This may stop newborn hiccups during feeding.

How to stop baby hiccups after feeding

What is baby’s hiccupping after feeding?

Well, taking short but regular breaks during feeding can help prevent hiccups after feeding.

But if your baby’s stressed out from hiccupping after feeding, that’s not what you want to hear right now.

So try propping baby upright and gently tapping their back, like when you’re helping burp baby, to stop baby hiccups after feeding.

How do I stop my baby’s hiccups?

What if baby’s not feeding, or if they’re getting hiccups at a weird time, like during the night?

Well, these are our top ways to get rid of baby hiccups, as recommended by our veteran mamas of Peanut.

Do pacifiers help with hiccups?

Sometimes, yes, giving baby a pacifier to suck on can help get rid of baby hiccups ‒ it can relax their diaphragm, which is the main culprit for baby hiccups.

Does gripe water help with hiccups?

Usually, gripe water is a treatment for colicky babies, but can it help get rid of newborn hiccups?

Maybe, yes.

While different babies respond differently to different hiccup treatments, it’s worth trying a few to see which ones work for your baby.

Can newborns drink water for hiccups?

No, it’s not safe to give a newborn water to drink to stop newborn hiccups.

If a newborn baby drinks water, it can stop them from absorbing the nutrients they need from breastmilk or formula, and can lead to water intoxication ‒ which can be very dangerous.

Do baby hiccups mean they need to burp?

Sometimes, yes, babies can get hiccups because they have trapped wind, which can push on their diaphragm, causing oh-so-cute baby hiccups.

So if you’re after another way to get rid of baby hiccups, trying to get baby to burp can help.

Can I lay a baby down with hiccups?

Yes, you can lay baby down if they have hiccups ‒ baby hiccups don’t stop baby from breathing.

However, some baby hiccups can cause a little spit-up, so it’s worth keeping an eye on a baby with hiccups, or trying to stop baby hiccups, if you can.

What’s the best position for a baby with hiccups?

So you can lay baby down if they have hiccups, but what’s the best position to get rid of baby hiccups?

Our Peanut mamas say that propping baby into an upright position is one of the best ways to stop newborn hiccups.

It makes sense, too ‒ baby’s muscles are more tense from being upright, which can take the pressure off their diaphragm (the main culprit behind baby hiccups).

How long do newborn hiccups last?

If you’ve tried every way to get rid of baby hiccups and nothing’s working, you may have to just ride them out.

So how long does it take for baby hiccups to go away on their own?

Great news, mama: the average bout of baby hiccups tends to disappear in about 5-10 minutes!

How do you stop hiccups in a newborn?

If you feel that your little one is bothered, frustrated, or distressed by their hiccups, here are a few tips to help stop newborn hiccups:

Try waiting it out a bit longer, and let them resolve hiccups themselves.
Offer a pacifier, as the sucking motion is calming and can help soothe a baby.
Try rubbing your baby’s back or burping them, as this can help release trapped air and relax the diaphragm.
After taking a break, try moving positions and try to help your baby relax, as this might stop baby hiccups.
After a pause in the feed, try feeding again, as the sucking motion can help calm your baby and stop the spasm in their diaphragm.
Try changing your routine – maybe try smaller feeds, as more regular intervals to allow their feeding and breathing to become more paced, and they can stop your baby from swallowing too much air during each feeding time.

And if you’re wondering “are hiccups a sign of overfeeding?”, then yes, it is a possibility with bottle-fed babies that they’re overeating and get hiccups as a result. But not always.

When should you be concerned about baby hiccups?

If your baby is hiccupping relentlessly, or there is noticeable pain or distress alongside vomiting when hiccupping, then it can be worth having a chat with your doctor.

It’s possible that your baby has food sensitivities or they’re experiencing acid reflux – and the medical pros are best placed to recommend whether treatment will help.

Usually, hiccups are just hiccups.

But if you’re worried, trust your instincts mama, and talk to your healthcare provider.

What’s the best way to get rid of hiccups?

Sorry, mama, but there is no single “best way” to get rid of baby hiccups.

Every baby is different, and every reason for baby hiccups is different (sometimes there’s no apparent reason at all), so trying to stop baby hiccups can involve trying every trick in the book.

Still not sure how to get rid of baby hiccups? Try asking our veteran mamas yourself on Peanut.