Baby hiccups: why they happen and what to do

Newborn · Care · Reviewed 20 June 2026 · All articles

You have just finished a feed, settled your newborn against your shoulder, and then: hic. Then another. Then a whole cascade of tiny hiccups that seem to shake your baby's whole body. It can look alarming the first time, but baby hiccups are one of the most normal things a newborn does. Understanding why they happen, what you can safely do to help, and when, rarely, they are worth discussing with a professional will help you feel calm the next time they strike.

Why babies get hiccups

A hiccup is produced by a sudden, involuntary contraction of the diaphragm. The diaphragm is the large, dome-shaped muscle that sits beneath the lungs and drives every breath. When it contracts sharply, the vocal cords snap shut almost simultaneously, and the result is the familiar hiccup sound and sensation.

In newborns, the diaphragm is still maturing and is considerably more reactive than it will eventually become. It takes very little to set off a spasm: a feed taken too quickly, a large swallow of air, a stomach that fills up fast, or sometimes no obvious trigger at all. The hiccup reflex itself is one of the earliest reflexes to develop in human foetal life, which is why it is so pronounced in newborns.

As the digestive and nervous systems mature over the first several months, most babies hiccup noticeably less often. By around six months of age, hiccups tend to become considerably less frequent for most babies, though every child is different.

How often is normal?

In the newborn period, daily hiccups are completely typical. Some newborns hiccup multiple times a day, often after most feeds. This is well within the range of normal and not a sign that anything is wrong. The NHS confirms that hiccups are very common in babies and usually nothing to worry about.

Hiccups can last anywhere from a few minutes to 10 or 15 minutes at a stretch. Occasionally they go on a little longer. As long as your baby seems comfortable and is not in obvious distress, there is no need to intervene urgently, and waiting them out is a completely valid approach.

Some feeds seem to trigger hiccups more reliably than others. Feeds where the baby has fed very quickly, feeds at the breast or bottle where the flow was fast, or feeds where the baby swallowed a lot of air tend to produce hiccups more often. If you notice a consistent pattern, that information can guide how you adjust the feeding position or pace.

Hiccups in the womb

If you felt rhythmic, repetitive twitching sensations low in your abdomen during pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, you may have been feeling your baby hiccupping before birth. Foetal hiccups are very common and are thought to be part of normal lung and diaphragm development. They are generally felt as a regular, small jolting or tapping sensation that repeats every few seconds for a minute or more.

Foetal hiccups are considered a normal part of pregnancy and are not associated with any complications. Some parents find them reassuring, as they indicate that the baby is moving. If the pattern changes significantly or if you have any concerns, speak to your midwife, who can check that everything is progressing normally.

Are hiccups harmful?

No. This is one of the most important things to understand about baby hiccups. They do not affect your baby's breathing or oxygen supply. The vocal cords closing during a hiccup is the same mechanism as a cough or a swallow: the airway is protected, not blocked. Babies can continue to breathe normally during a hiccup episode.

Most babies are largely unbothered by hiccups, even when they look dramatic from the outside. Your baby may pause briefly and look mildly surprised, then carry on quite contentedly. The sounds and movements that hiccups produce tend to be more concerning to parents and caregivers than they are to the baby experiencing them.

Hiccups do not interfere with digestion in any harmful way, and they do not indicate that the baby has eaten too much or too little. They are simply a reflex, and like all reflexes in a maturing nervous system, they will gradually settle down over the first months of life.

How to help your baby through hiccups

You do not need to do anything when your baby hiccups. They will almost always resolve on their own within a few minutes. That said, if hiccups start during a feed or you want to try to ease them, a few approaches are worth knowing.

Pause and burp: If hiccups start mid-feed, try pausing and burping your baby before continuing. Hold your baby upright against your chest or shoulder, with their chin resting on your shoulder, and gently rub or pat the back. Releasing trapped air from the stomach can calm the diaphragm and stop hiccups relatively quickly.

Adjust feeding pace: If hiccups tend to happen after fast feeds, try pacing the feed. For bottle feeds, tilt the bottle so the teat is only half-filled with milk, or use a slower-flow teat. For breastfeeds, if your letdown is fast and your baby tends to gulp, try laid-back feeding positions that slow the flow slightly.

Hold upright after feeds: Keeping your baby upright for 15 to 20 minutes after a feed helps milk settle in the stomach and can reduce the likelihood of hiccups and possetting. A gentle walk or time in a carrier can help.

Wait it out: This is always a valid approach. Most hiccup episodes resolve by themselves within 5 to 10 minutes. You do not need to act on every episode.

What not to do

Several folk remedies for hiccups in adults are not appropriate for babies and should be avoided:

When hiccups might need attention

In the vast majority of cases, hiccups are entirely harmless. However, there are a few circumstances where it is worth mentioning them to your health visitor or GP:

Reflux is common in babies: the NHS estimates that around 40% of babies bring up milk regularly. Most outgrow it by around 12 months. If you suspect reflux alongside persistent hiccups, a health visitor or GP can offer guidance on positioning, feeding adjustments, and, if needed, further support.

Frequently asked questions

Why do newborns get hiccups so often?

Newborns hiccup frequently because the diaphragm, the large muscle under the lungs that controls breathing, is still maturing. When it contracts suddenly and involuntarily, the vocal cords snap shut and produce the hiccup sound. Feeding quickly, swallowing air, and a full stomach can all trigger these contractions. Hiccups are very common and normal in the newborn period.

Are hiccups harmful to my baby?

No. Hiccups do not affect a baby's breathing, oxygen levels, or comfort in any harmful way. Most babies are completely unbothered by them even when they look dramatic from the outside. Hiccups are a normal reflex and not a sign that anything is wrong.

How can I stop my baby's hiccups?

Pausing the feed to burp your baby is the most effective approach. Holding the baby upright against your shoulder and gently rubbing the back can release trapped air and ease the diaphragm spasm. If hiccups happen between feeds, simply waiting them out is perfectly fine. Most hiccup episodes resolve within 5 to 10 minutes on their own.

Should I be worried if my baby hiccups after every feed?

Hiccuping after most feeds is very common in newborns and is not a cause for concern on its own. If your baby seems comfortable, is feeding well, and is gaining weight normally, post-feed hiccups are simply a normal part of early infancy. If hiccups are accompanied by frequent spitting up, arching the back during feeds, or signs of distress, mention it to your health visitor or GP as it can sometimes relate to reflux.

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