How to Help My Baby's Hiccups
Content reviewed against published AAP, Mayo Clinic, NIH guidelines
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Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about how to help my baby's hiccups, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
Baby hiccups are usually harmless and resolve on their own within a few minutes. You can help by burping your baby more frequently during feedings, keeping them upright for 20-30 minutes after eating, and offering a pacifier to help relax the diaphragm. Never use traditional adult remedies like holding breath, startling, or pulling the tongue, as these are not safe for infants. Most babies outgrow frequent hiccups by 6-12 months.
Key takeaways
- Baby hiccups are usually harmless and resolve on their own within a few minutes. You can help by burping your baby more frequently during feedings, keeping them upright for 20-30 minutes after eating, and offering a pacifier to help relax the diaphragm. Never use traditional adult remedies like holding breath, startling, or pulling the tongue, as these are not safe for infants. Most babies outgrow frequent hiccups by 6-12 months.
- Usually normal when: Hiccups last a few minutes to 20 minutes and resolve on their own without distressing your baby.
- Call your doctor if: Hiccups are accompanied by difficulty breathing, turning blue, or gagging — seek immediate medical attention.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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By Age
What to expect by age
0-3 months
Hiccups are extremely common in newborns and young infants due to an immature diaphragm and nervous system. To reduce hiccups, try burping your baby after every 1-2 ounces of formula or when switching breasts during breastfeeding. Feed your baby in a more upright position to reduce air swallowing. If hiccups start during a feeding, pause and burp before continuing. A pacifier may help by encouraging rhythmic sucking that relaxes the diaphragm. Do not use gripe water, as the FDA has issued warnings about some brands, and there is no evidence it helps hiccups.
3-6 months
Hiccups tend to decrease in frequency as your baby grows. Continue using preventive strategies like frequent burping and upright positioning during and after feeds. If your baby gets hiccups between feedings, offering a pacifier or a small extra feeding may help. Avoid overfeeding, as a very full stomach pressing against the diaphragm can trigger hiccups. If your baby seems comfortable and happy despite hiccupping, no intervention is needed — the hiccups are bothering you more than your baby.
6-12 months
By this age, hiccups become much less frequent. If your baby still hiccups often, especially after meals, consider whether reflux might be a contributing factor — hiccups combined with frequent spitting up, arching, or fussiness during feeds should be discussed with your pediatrician. As your baby starts solids, eating too quickly can cause hiccups, so offer small bites and allow time between spoonfuls. The diaphragm and nervous system are more mature now, and most healthy babies rarely experience bothersome hiccups by their first birthday.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Hiccups last a few minutes to 20 minutes and resolve on their own without distressing your baby.
- Hiccups occur most commonly after feedings and your baby continues to eat, sleep, and behave normally.
- Your newborn hiccups multiple times a day but shows no other symptoms and is gaining weight well.
- Hiccups are very frequent (many times daily) and seem to interfere with feeding or sleeping.
- Hiccups are often accompanied by spitting up, arching, or crying during feeds, which could indicate reflux.
- You have tried prevention strategies and hiccups continue to be frequent and prolonged.
- Hiccups are accompanied by difficulty breathing, turning blue, or gagging — seek immediate medical attention.
- Your baby has hiccups that last for hours and your baby is unable to feed, becoming increasingly distressed — contact your pediatrician urgently.
- Hiccups are accompanied by repeated projectile vomiting in a newborn, which could indicate pyloric stenosis — seek emergency evaluation.
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss How to Help My Baby's Hiccups.
Things to mention
- Hiccups are very frequent (many times daily) and seem to interfere with feeding or sleeping.
- Hiccups are often accompanied by spitting up, arching, or crying during feeds, which could indicate reflux.
- You have tried prevention strategies and hiccups continue to be frequent and prolonged.
Observations to share
- Hiccups are very frequent (many times daily) and seem to interfere with feeding or sleeping.
- Hiccups are often accompanied by spitting up, arching, or crying during feeds, which could indicate reflux.
- You have tried prevention strategies and hiccups continue to be frequent and prolonged.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Hiccups are accompanied by difficulty breathing, turning blue, or gagging — seek immediate medical attention.
- Your baby has hiccups that last for hours and your baby is unable to feed, becoming increasingly distressed — contact your pediatrician urgently.
- Hiccups are accompanied by repeated projectile vomiting in a newborn, which could indicate pyloric stenosis — seek emergency evaluation.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
Related Conditions
My Baby Gets Hiccups a Lot
Hiccups are extremely common in babies, especially newborns, and are almost always completely harmless. They happen because your baby's diaphragm is still developing and gets a little jumpy when their tiny stomach fills up or air gets swallowed. Most babies outgrow frequent hiccupping by 6-9 months.
My Baby's Hiccups Won't Stop
Hiccups are extremely common and completely harmless in babies, especially in the first few months. They're caused by immature diaphragm muscles and usually resolve on their own within a few minutes to an hour. Most babies aren't bothered by them at all, even if they seem frequent to you.
My Baby Gulps Air While Feeding
Swallowing some air during feeding is normal for all babies, but excessive air gulping can lead to gas, hiccups, and spit-up. Common causes include fast milk flow, poor latch (if breastfeeding), bottle nipple flow that's too fast or slow, and crying before feeds. Simple adjustments to feeding position, pacing, and equipment can usually help reduce air intake significantly.
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Frequently asked questions
Is how to help my baby's hiccups normal?
When should I call the doctor about how to help my baby's hiccups?
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What should I mention to my pediatrician about how to help my baby's hiccups?
Is how to help my baby's hiccups normal at 0-3 months?
Is how to help my baby's hiccups normal at 3-6 months?
Should I go to the ER for how to help my baby's hiccups?
Does how to help my baby's hiccups go away on its own?
References
- [1]American Academy of Pediatrics — Burping, Hiccups, and Spitting Up AAP
- [2]Mayo Clinic — Hiccups in Babies: What to Know Mayo Clinic
- [3]National Library of Medicine — Hiccups: Causes and Treatment NIH
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
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Bottom line
Most cases of how to help my baby's hiccups are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if hiccups are accompanied by difficulty breathing, turning blue, or gagging — seek immediate medical attention.
Trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, reach out to your pediatrician. Worrying about your baby means you care — that is a good thing.
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Related Physical Concerns
My Baby Gets Hiccups a Lot
Hiccups are extremely common in babies, especially newborns, and are almost always completely harmless. They happen because your baby's diaphragm is still developing and gets a little jumpy when their tiny stomach fills up or air gets swallowed. Most babies outgrow frequent hiccupping by 6-9 months.
My Baby's Hiccups Won't Stop
Hiccups are extremely common and completely harmless in babies, especially in the first few months. They're caused by immature diaphragm muscles and usually resolve on their own within a few minutes to an hour. Most babies aren't bothered by them at all, even if they seem frequent to you.
My Baby Gulps Air While Feeding
Swallowing some air during feeding is normal for all babies, but excessive air gulping can lead to gas, hiccups, and spit-up. Common causes include fast milk flow, poor latch (if breastfeeding), bottle nipple flow that's too fast or slow, and crying before feeds. Simple adjustments to feeding position, pacing, and equipment can usually help reduce air intake significantly.
Should I Use Adjusted Age for My Preemie's Milestones?
Yes — for premature babies, developmental milestones should be assessed using adjusted (corrected) age, not chronological age, until at least 2 years of age. Adjusted age is calculated by subtracting the number of weeks your baby was born early from their actual age. For example, a 6-month-old born 2 months early would have an adjusted age of 4 months, and should be assessed against 4-month milestones. Most pediatricians use adjusted age for developmental assessment through age 2-3, and for growth charts through age 2.
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Baby-proofing a small apartment is absolutely possible and focuses on the same key safety principles as any home: securing furniture to walls, covering outlets, locking cabinets with hazardous materials, and ensuring safe sleep spaces. Small spaces actually have an advantage - there is less area to monitor. Focus on eliminating the most dangerous hazards first: falls, poisoning, choking, and burns.
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Babies should use both sides of their body fairly equally during the first 18 months of life. While slight preferences can be normal, a consistent pattern of favoring one side - using one arm much more than the other, crawling with one leg dragging, or turning the head predominantly one way - should always be discussed with your pediatrician. Early identification of asymmetry leads to the best outcomes.