My Baby Gets Hiccups a Lot
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Chen, MD, FAAP · Board-Certified Pediatrician
Content reviewed against published AAP, Stanford Children's Health guidelines
Last reviewed:
Your baby's physical development is unique, and concerns about gets hiccups a lot, here is what you need to know.
The short answer
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.
Key takeaways
- 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.
- Usually normal when: Your baby hiccups after most feedings or when they drink quickly - this usually means they swallowed some air.
- Call your doctor if: Hiccups last for hours at a time and your baby seems distressed or can't feed properly.
- Varies by age — see the age-by-age breakdown below
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What Parents Should Know
According to AAP, Stanford Children's Health guidelines, 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. At 0-2 months, hiccups are incredibly common at this age - some babies hiccup multiple times a day. Your baby's nervous system is still maturing, and the diaphragm (the muscle that controls breathing) is especially sensitive to stimulation. Feeding often triggers hiccups because it fills the stomach, which sits right next to the diaphragm. This is completely normal and doesn't bother your baby nearly as much as it might bother you. It is generally considered normal when your baby hiccups after most feedings or when they drink quickly - this usually means they swallowed some air. However, you should contact your pediatrician promptly if hiccups last for hours at a time and your baby seems distressed or can't feed properly.
Normal vs. Concerning
By Age
What to expect by age
0-2 months
Hiccups are incredibly common at this age - some babies hiccup multiple times a day. Your baby's nervous system is still maturing, and the diaphragm (the muscle that controls breathing) is especially sensitive to stimulation. Feeding often triggers hiccups because it fills the stomach, which sits right next to the diaphragm. This is completely normal and doesn't bother your baby nearly as much as it might bother you.
3-5 months
You might notice hiccups becoming a bit less frequent as your baby's digestive and nervous systems mature. They may still hiccup after big feeds or when they swallow air during play or crying. Some babies keep hiccupping regularly until 6-9 months. If your baby is eating well, gaining weight, and doesn't seem distressed, there's nothing to worry about.
6-12 months
Most babies hiccup much less often by this age, though occasional hiccups are still completely normal. If your baby is still hiccupping multiple times a day and also has frequent spitting up or seems uncomfortable after feeds, mention it to your pediatrician - sometimes persistent hiccups can be a sign of reflux, which is very treatable.
12+ months
Hiccups become rare in toddlers, though they still happen occasionally, just like they do in adults. If your toddler is hiccupping frequently (several times a day, most days) and especially if they seem uncomfortable or are having trouble eating, it's worth talking to your doctor.
What to Tell Your Pediatrician
- Describe when you first noticed gets hiccups a lot and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is older than 6 months and still hiccups several times a day, every day.
- Mention if hiccups are frequently accompanied by spitting up, arching during feeds, or signs of discomfort - this could point to reflux.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
What Should You Do?
When to take action
- Your baby hiccups after most feedings or when they drink quickly - this usually means they swallowed some air.
- Hiccups last anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour and then go away on their own.
- Your baby doesn't seem bothered by the hiccups - they might even keep eating or playing right through them.
- Your baby is under 6 months old and hiccups multiple times a day but is otherwise happy and growing well.
- Your baby is older than 6 months and still hiccups several times a day, every day.
- Hiccups are frequently accompanied by spitting up, arching during feeds, or signs of discomfort - this could point to reflux.
- Hiccups seem to interfere with feeding or sleeping consistently.
- Hiccups last for hours at a time and your baby seems distressed or can't feed properly.
- Hiccups are accompanied by difficulty breathing, turning blue, or gasping for air.
What You Can Do at Home
- Keep track of when you notice gets hiccups a lot — noting the time of day, duration, and any triggers can help your pediatrician.
- Remember that your baby hiccups after most feedings or when they drink quickly - this usually means they swallowed some air — this is generally within the range of normal.
- At 0-2 months, focus on observation rather than intervention unless your pediatrician advises otherwise.
- Provide plenty of supervised floor time and tummy time to support your baby's physical development.
- While monitoring at home, seek immediate care if hiccups last for hours at a time and your baby seems distressed or can't feed properly.
Related Resources
Frequently asked questions
Is gets hiccups a lot normal?
When should I call the doctor about gets hiccups a lot?
When is gets hiccups a lot normal?
What causes gets hiccups a lot?
What should I mention to my pediatrician about gets hiccups a lot?
Is gets hiccups a lot normal at 0-2 months?
Is gets hiccups a lot normal at 3-5 months?
Should I go to the ER for gets hiccups a lot?
Does gets hiccups a lot go away on its own?
References
- [1]American Academy of Pediatrics - Common Baby Concerns: Hiccups, Spitting Up, and Gas AAP
- [2]Stanford Children's Health - Infant Hiccups: Causes and When to Worry Stanford Children's Health
Doctor Visit Checklist
Bring this checklist to your next pediatrician visit to discuss My Baby Gets Hiccups a Lot.
Things to mention
- Describe when you first noticed gets hiccups a lot and how it has changed over time.
- Note your baby's current age and which age-specific patterns you are seeing.
- Mention if your baby is older than 6 months and still hiccups several times a day, every day.
- Mention if hiccups are frequently accompanied by spitting up, arching during feeds, or signs of discomfort - this could point to reflux.
- Bring a list of any questions or observations you want to discuss at the appointment.
Observations to share
- Your baby is older than 6 months and still hiccups several times a day, every day.
- Hiccups are frequently accompanied by spitting up, arching during feeds, or signs of discomfort - this could point to reflux.
- Hiccups seem to interfere with feeding or sleeping consistently.
Urgent signs to report immediately
- Hiccups last for hours at a time and your baby seems distressed or can't feed properly.
- Hiccups are accompanied by difficulty breathing, turning blue, or gasping for air.
My notes
From ismybabyalright.com — free, evidence-based baby health guides
All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.
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Related Resources
Bottom line
Most cases of gets hiccups a lot are normal. Talk to your pediatrician if hiccups last for hours at a time and your baby seems distressed or can't feed properly.
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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