Why Does My Baby Get Hiccups And How to Stop Them

While hiccups might bother you, babies are usually not bothered by them at all. Most babies can even sleep through hiccups without waking up because hiccups don't affect their breathing.

Hiccups are often unpredictable, although certain situations may set them off. These are the following:

1. Overfeeding

Overfeeding can cause a baby to hiccup. When a baby consumes too much milk, air can become trapped in the stomach. This excess air causes the stomach to expand, which can irritate the diaphragm, the muscle responsible for breathing.

The irritation leads to diaphragm spasms, resulting in hiccups. To prevent overfeeding, monitor the amount and pace of feeding carefully.

2. Temperature changes

Sudden temperature changes in a newborn's stomach, like drinking cold milk, can cause the diaphragm to contract, leading to hiccups.

The abrupt temperature shift can irritate the diaphragm, the muscle responsible for breathing, triggering involuntary spasms. These spasms manifest as hiccups.

3. Burping

Not burping enough after feeding can cause a baby to hiccup due to trapped air in the stomach. When a baby feeds, they often swallow air along with milk.

If this air isn't expelled through burping, it remains in the stomach, causing it to expand and irritate the diaphragm. This irritation leads to involuntary diaphragm spasms, resulting in hiccups.

4. Swallowing air

Swallowing air is a common cause of hiccups in both adults and babies. When excess air is swallowed, it can become trapped in the stomach, causing it to expand.

This expansion irritates the diaphragm, the muscle that controls breathing. The irritation triggers involuntary spasms of the diaphragm, resulting in hiccups. This can happen during eating, drinking, or even talking too quickly.

5. GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) babies usually hiccup more frequently. When partially digested food and stomach acid reflux back up into the oesophagus, this syndrome happens. This mixture irritates the diaphragm muscle as it goes through, causing spasms.

These hiccups are caused by involuntary spasms. Babies who have GERD may find it uncomfortable, so it's critical to manage the condition with feeding modifications and medical guidance to lessen reflux and the hiccups that come with it.

6. Giggles

Giggling can trigger hiccups in babies due to rapid breaths taken while laughing, which can cause the diaphragm to spasm. These spasms result in hiccups. However, this is generally harmless and usually resolves within a few minutes.

Interestingly, hiccups might also make a baby giggle, creating a cute cycle of giggles and hiccups. There's typically no need for concern, as these episodes are normal and often pass quickly without any intervention.

Newborn hiccups usually last only a few minutes and don't require medical intervention. To help your baby get rid of them sooner, try some gentle measures to relieve gas and bloating, which can irritate the diaphragm and cause hiccups. 

If you notice your baby gets hiccups more frequently during breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, there are a few tricks you can try:

Rubbing your baby's back can help relieve hiccups by promoting relaxation. The gentle motion of rubbing their back and rocking them back and forth can soothe the baby, potentially stopping the spasms causing hiccups.

Additionally, this action can aid in burping, which releases trapped air in the stomach. When the gas is expelled, it reduces the pressure on the diaphragm, helping to prevent or stop hiccups.

Using a pacifier can be an effective trick to help your baby get rid of hiccups. Sucking on a pacifier has a soothing and calming effect that can relax the diaphragm, potentially stopping the spasms that cause hiccups.

The rhythmic sucking motion helps regulate the baby's breathing and can ease diaphragm contractions. If your baby is comfortable with a pacifier, offer it gently, but don't force it if they don't want it. This simple method can be a quick and non-invasive way to relieve your baby's hiccups and provide comfort.

Feeding babies gripe water as a remedy for hiccups is a traditional practice, as it is believed to soothe stomach issues that might cause hiccups. Gripe water typically contains herbs like ginger, fennel, chamomile, and cinnamon.

However, there's no scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness for hiccups. Additionally, some advice suggests gripe water may not be suitable for babies under six months due to potential allergies or sensitivities.

While some parents find it helpful, it's important to consult a pediatrician before using gripe water for your baby's hiccups, especially for younger infants.

Letting your baby's hiccups run their course is often the best approach, especially since hiccups are common in babies under one year and typically stop on their own within 5 to 10 minutes. If the hiccups aren't bothering your baby, there's no need to intervene.

However, if hiccups persist and don't resolve on their own, it is advisable to consult your baby's doctor. While rare, persistent hiccups can be a sign of a more serious medical issue. Observing your baby's comfort and letting natural processes occur is usually sufficient unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional.

Burping your baby helps prevent and relieve hiccups by releasing trapped air from their stomach, which can cause diaphragm irritation and spasms leading to hiccups. During feeding, babies often swallow air, especially if they eat quickly or are bottle-fed.

By taking breaks to burp your baby after every 2-3 ounces of formula or when switching sides during breastfeeding, you can reduce the amount of air in their stomach. Gentle pats on the back during burping help expel this air, minimizing pressure on the diaphragm and thereby reducing the likelihood or severity of hiccups.

Holding your baby upright can help get rid of hiccups. Feeding your baby in a more upright position, such as propping them up on a pillow, can reduce the amount of air they swallow during meals. This minimizes the air in their stomach, which can irritate the diaphragm and cause hiccups.

After feeding, keeping your baby upright for 20-30 minutes helps with digestion and further reduces air intake. This position promotes a more natural and relaxed diaphragm movement, preventing hiccups.

Minimizing air swallowing helps prevent hiccups in babies by reducing the amount of trapped air in their stomachs. When babies swallow air during feeding, it can cause the stomach to expand and push against the diaphragm, leading to spasms that result in hiccups.

Ensuring a proper latch during breastfeeding and keeping the bottle nipple filled with milk rather than air during bottle feeding can significantly reduce the amount of swallowed air. This helps maintain a calmer, more stable diaphragm, thereby reducing the likelihood of hiccups and making feeding more comfortable for the baby.

Offering babies smaller, more frequent feedings can help reduce hiccups by preventing overfeeding and reducing the intake of air during feeding. Overfeeding can cause the stomach to become overly full, putting pressure on the diaphragm and leading to spasms, which cause hiccups.

By feeding in smaller amounts, the risk of the stomach becoming too full is minimized. Additionally, feeding more frequently can help manage the baby's hunger more effectively, reducing the likelihood of gulping and swallowing air.

White noise helps soothe babies and can reduce hiccups by calming their overall state. When babies are over-excited or crying excessively, their breathing patterns can become irregular, potentially triggering hiccups.

White noise creates a consistent, soothing background sound that can help relax the baby, regulate their breathing, and distract them from any discomfort. This calming effect can stabilize the diaphragm and reduce spasms that cause hiccups. 

Getting the right nipple size for bottle-feeding is crucial to preventing hiccups in babies. If the nipple flow is too fast, the baby may gulp, leading to excessive air intake and overfilling the stomach, which can cause hiccups. If the flow is too slow, the baby might suck harder, also swallowing air.

Ensuring the nipple flow matches the baby’s age and feeding ability allows for a smooth and steady milk intake, reducing the risk of air ingestion and maintaining a calm diaphragm. Regularly updating nipple size as the baby grows helps maintain proper feeding dynamics and minimizes hiccups.

Feeding your baby when they are calm, rather than when they are crying from hunger, helps ensure a smoother feeding process. When babies are upset during feeding, they may gulp milk or formula rapidly, increasing the chance of swallowing air, which can irritate the esophagus and lead to hiccups.

Feeding a calm baby allows for a more controlled and steady intake, reducing the risk of air ingestion and ensuring the milk goes down smoothly. Anticipating your baby’s hunger cues and starting the feeding session before they become distressed helps maintain a peaceful feeding environment and minimizes hiccups.

When your baby has hiccups, avoid using common home remedies often recommended for adults. Methods like startling your baby, pulling their tongue, or giving them sips of water are unsuitable and potentially harmful for infants. Such actions can cause distress or physical harm, worsening the situation.

Babies' bodies are delicate, and their responses to such interventions can be unpredictable. If your baby seems content despite the hiccups, it's best to let the episode pass naturally. Hiccups are usually harmless and self-resolving in infants.

While hiccups are common in babies and can even occur in the womb, there are certain situations where you should seek medical advice:

Frequent Hiccups

If your baby has hiccups frequently, especially if they seem upset or agitated during these episodes, it’s wise to consult a doctor, as it could indicate other medical issues. Frequent hiccups might be a sign of gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or other digestive problems.

Keeping a log of how often the hiccups occur and any associated behaviors can help your doctor diagnose the issue.

Breathing or Feeding Issues

Seek medical attention if your baby has trouble breathing or feeding, as these could be related to the hiccups. Difficulty in breathing or feeding could indicate a more serious condition that needs prompt medical evaluation.

In some cases, persistent hiccups may interfere with the baby's ability to nurse properly, leading to poor nutrition and weight gain.

Blue Lips (Cyanosis)

If your baby’s lips have a blue tinge, this could signal low oxygen levels and require immediate medical attention. Cyanosis is a serious condition that can be associated with respiratory or cardiovascular issues. Immediate intervention is crucial to ensure your baby's oxygen levels are stabilized.

Sleep Disturbance

Consult a doctor if hiccups are disturbing your baby's sleep regularly. Constant sleep disturbances can affect your baby’s overall health and development. Lack of sleep can lead to irritability, poor feeding, and developmental delays.

A healthcare professional can provide strategies to manage and reduce hiccup episodes, ensuring better sleep for your baby.

Persistent Hiccups

If hiccup episodes continue frequently after your child’s first birthday or last longer than 2 hours, it’s important to seek medical advice to rule out any underlying issues.

Persistent hiccups could be indicative of neurological or gastrointestinal disorders. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent potential complications and promote better health outcomes for your child.

Newborn hiccups are common and typically resolve on their own as the baby’s diaphragm matures. Remedies like burping, offering a pacifier, or adjusting their position can help alleviate hiccups safely. Avoid adult remedies such as holding breath or using a paper bag, which are unsuitable for infants.

Prevent hiccups by feeding smaller amounts with breaks for burping. While most cases are harmless, persistent hiccups along with symptoms like vomiting or post-feeding distress may indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Consult a healthcare provider if you notice these signs to ensure proper evaluation and management.