If your newborn gets hiccups after almost every feed, you are not alone, and you are not doing anything wrong. When my babies were tiny, the feed would end, I would finally sit back and relax, and then it would start: hic, hic, hic. Their whole little body seemed to jump with each one. It looks uncomfortable, and it is very easy to worry that something is wrong with their tummy.
The good news is that hiccups are very common in newborns. Many babies hiccup several times a day, and most of the time they are not bothered by them at all, even when we are. Hiccups after feeds usually happen for simple reasons, like swallowing a little air or having a very full tummy. In this guide, I will explain why they happen, what can help, and the warning signs that mean you should speak to a doctor.
Quick Answer
Newborn hiccups after a feed are usually harmless and pass on their own within a few minutes. They often happen because your baby swallowed air, fed a little too fast, or has a full stomach pressing gently on the diaphragm, the muscle used for breathing. To help, pause for a burp in the middle of the feed and again at the end, keep your baby upright after feeding, and rub or pat their back gently. Offer smaller, slower feeds when you can. Never try to startle your baby or use folk tricks. If hiccups come with poor feeding, vomiting, breathing difficulty, fever, or poor weight gain, speak to a doctor promptly.
Why Newborns Get Hiccups After Feeds
A hiccup is a small, sudden squeeze of the diaphragm. When that muscle tightens quickly, your baby takes in a sharp breath, and the well-known hic sound follows. In newborns, this reflex is very sensitive and very easy to trigger. Their bodies are still learning how feeding, breathing, and digestion all work together.
A still-maturing diaphragm
Your baby’s diaphragm and the nerves that control it are still developing in the early weeks. That is why newborns hiccup far more often than older children and adults. Even a tiny trigger, like a change in temperature or a slightly too-fast feed, can set them off. As your baby grows, episodes usually become less frequent on their own.
Swallowed air during feeding
Babies often swallow small amounts of air as they feed, especially if they are very hungry, feeding quickly, or fussing at the breast or bottle. That extra air stretches the stomach a little, which can trigger hiccups. This is one reason burping helps so many babies. If trapped wind is a regular problem in your home, you may also find it useful to read about simple ways to help a gassy baby feel more comfortable, because air, wind, and hiccups often show up together.
A very full tummy
A newborn stomach is tiny. When it fills up quickly, the full stomach can press near the diaphragm and start a round of hiccups. This is common after a long, sleepy feed or cluster feeding in the evening. It does not usually mean you have overfed your baby. Their small system simply needs a little time to settle.
Are Hiccups Normal, and Do They Bother Your Baby?
In most cases, yes, they are completely normal, and no, they do not seem to bother babies nearly as much as they bother us. Many newborns hiccup happily, look around, and even fall asleep while hiccuping. Some babies even hiccup before birth, and many parents remember feeling those tiny movements during pregnancy.
Watch your baby rather than the hiccups. If your baby feeds well, breathes comfortably, gains weight, and seems settled between episodes, the hiccups are almost certainly a normal newborn quirk. If your baby also arches, cries a lot, or struggles to settle after feeds, learn more about why a baby might cry after feeding so you can spot the difference.
Gentle Ways to Help Hiccups Stop
You cannot always stop hiccups straight away, and that is okay. They usually stop by themselves within five to ten minutes. These gentle steps simply help your baby feel comfortable while they pass, and sometimes they do end the episode sooner.
Pause and burp during the feed
Instead of waiting until the end, pause halfway through the feed for a burp, then burp again when the feed finishes. For bottle feeds, pausing every few minutes can work well. For breastfeeds, the pause when you switch sides is a good moment. Hold your baby upright against your chest or on your lap, and rub or pat their back gently. Slow, soft movements are enough, and sometimes the change of position alone brings the burp up.
Keep your baby upright after feeding
After the feed, hold your baby upright against your shoulder or chest for around 20 to 30 minutes when you can. This helps milk settle and lets trapped air rise up as a burp instead of triggering more hiccups. Think of it as a calm cuddle with a purpose. If your baby falls asleep in your arms, place them on their back in their cot or bassinet for sleep, as usual.
Slow the feed down
If your baby gulps feeds quickly, slowing things down can help. For bottle feeds, try paced feeding: hold the bottle more level so milk flows slowly, let your baby pause, and check the teat flow is not too fast. If feeds are a struggle in other ways, our guide on what to do when your baby is refusing the bottle may help. For breastfeeds, if your let-down is very fast, a slightly reclined position can help your baby cope with the flow.
How to Prevent Hiccups After Feeds
You cannot prevent every episode, and you do not need to. But if hiccups happen after every single feed, these small habits often reduce how often they start:
- Feed your baby before they become very hungry and frantic, when they are more likely to gulp and swallow air.
- Keep feeds calm and unhurried, with fewer distractions and a comfortable position for both of you.
- Check your baby’s latch at the breast, or the seal around the bottle teat, so less air is swallowed.
- Burp in the middle of the feed and again at the end, every time, even if no burp comes.
- Offer slightly smaller feeds a little more often if big feeds always seem to trigger hiccups.
- Keep your baby upright for a while after each feed instead of laying them flat straight away.
- Avoid bouncing, active play, or tummy pressure, like a tight waistband, right after a feed.
When to See a Doctor
Most hiccups need no treatment at all. However, you should speak to your baby’s doctor, or seek medical advice promptly, if you notice any of the following:
- Hiccups that are constant, last for very long periods, or keep interfering with feeding or sleep.
- Poor feeding, refusing feeds, or your baby not seeming interested in milk.
- Vomiting, especially repeated vomiting, large amounts, or vomit that looks green or contains blood.
- Any difficulty breathing, wheezing, flaring nostrils, or your baby working hard to breathe.
- A fever in a baby under 3 months old, which always needs urgent medical advice.
- Poor weight gain, fewer wet or dirty nappies than usual, or unusual sleepiness.
- Your baby seeming generally unwell, very unsettled, or different from their normal self.
Trust your instincts. You know your baby best, and no good doctor will mind you asking. A quick check brings peace of mind, and that matters too.
Mistakes to Avoid
When hiccups will not stop, it is tempting to try anything you have heard from family, friends, or the internet. Please avoid these common mistakes:
- Do not startle or frighten your baby to stop hiccups. It does not help and it is unkind to a tiny newborn.
- Do not use breath-holding tricks. These are for adults, never for babies, and they are unsafe.
- Never press on your baby’s eyeballs or pull on their tongue. These old folk remedies can cause real harm.
- Do not give water to a young newborn to stop hiccups. Young babies only need breast milk or formula unless a doctor advises otherwise.
- Do not lay your baby flat or feed them lying down right after a hiccup episode starts; keep them upright and calm instead.
- Do not pat your baby’s back harder and harder when no burp comes. Gentle is effective, and no burp at all is fine sometimes.
- Do not stop or change feeds, formula, or your own diet because of hiccups alone, without medical advice first.
The safest approach is also the simplest: stay calm, keep your baby upright, offer a gentle burp, and wait. Hiccups almost always pass on their own.
This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Every baby is different, so please consult your paediatrician or another qualified health professional if you are worried about your baby’s hiccups, feeding, breathing, or growth. You can read more in our full disclaimer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do newborn hiccups normally last?
Most episodes last only a few minutes, often around five to ten minutes, and then stop on their own. Occasionally they can last a little longer. As long as your baby is feeding well, breathing comfortably, and seems settled, a short episode after a feed is nothing to worry about.
Should I stop feeding my baby if hiccups start during a feed?
You can pause the feed, sit your baby upright, and try for a gentle burp. If your baby is calm and still wants to feed afterwards, you can continue slowly. If they seem full, upset, or finished, end the feed. There is no need to push more milk into a baby who has had enough.
Can hiccups after every feed be a sign of reflux?
Hiccups alone are very common and usually do not mean anything is wrong. Babies with reflux often have other signs too, such as frequent vomiting, discomfort after feeds, arching, or poor weight gain. If you notice those signs, or you are simply unsure, speak to your baby’s doctor rather than trying to work it out alone.
Is it safe for my baby to sleep while they have hiccups?
Yes, many babies fall asleep while hiccuping, and the hiccups usually stop once they are asleep. Always place your baby on their back to sleep, on a firm, flat surface, as you normally would. If hiccups regularly disturb your baby’s sleep or come with any of the warning signs above, mention it to your doctor.