It happens right after a perfect feeding. You’ve finally got them settled, the house is quiet, and then—hic. Then another one. Before you know it, your newborn’s entire tiny body is jolting with every rhythmic spasm. It looks exhausting. It looks like it should hurt. Honestly, if you or I had hiccups that lasted twenty minutes, we’d be annoyed, but for a three-week-old? It feels like a minor medical emergency to a sleep-deprived parent.
But here is the thing: babies don't care. Seriously. While you’re scouring the internet at 3:00 AM wondering how to get rid of baby hiccups, your infant is likely perfectly content, maybe even drifting off to sleep despite the internal bouncing. Most of the time, baby hiccups are just a sign that their diaphragm is doing its own thing while their nervous system finishes "wiring" itself up.
Why Do These Tiny Humans Hiccup So Much?
Hiccups are basically just involuntary contractions of the diaphragm. In babies, this muscle is incredibly sensitive. The vagus nerve, which controls the diaphragm, is still maturing. Think of it like a new piece of software that has a few glitches in the first version.
What actually triggers it? Usually, it’s a full belly. When a baby’s stomach expands rapidly—either from a massive guzzle of milk or swallowing too much air—it pushes against the diaphragm. That pressure triggers the spasm. Sometimes it’s just a sudden temperature change or a bit of overexcitement. Research published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science even suggests that hiccups might play a role in brain development by helping infants learn how to regulate their breathing muscles.
So, if they aren’t crying, they aren’t in pain. We worry. They just bounce.
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Practical Ways For How To Get Rid Of Baby Hiccups
If you’re looking for a quick fix, you have to be gentle. You can't use the "scare them" or "hold your breath" tactics we use on adults. That’s a recipe for a very upset baby and a very long night.
The Mid-Feed Burp Break
Most parents wait until the bottle is empty or the nursing session is over to burp. By then, the stomach is already distended. Instead, try burping your baby when they are about halfway through. If you’re bottle-feeding, this is easy—just pull the bottle away after every two or three ounces. For breastfed babies, burp them when you switch sides. This lets the air escape before it has a chance to irritate the diaphragm.
Check Your Angle
Gravity is your friend here. If a baby is lying flat while eating, air bubbles get trapped under the milk. Try feeding them at a 45-degree angle. Keep them upright for about 20 minutes after the feeding is done. It sounds like a chore when you’re tired, but it’s the most effective way to prevent the pressure that leads to hiccups in the first place.
The Pacifier Trick
If the hiccups start well after a meal, try a pacifier. The rhythmic sucking motion can actually help relax the diaphragm and reset the breathing pattern. It’s not a guarantee, but it works surprisingly often. Plus, it’s a lot less intrusive than trying to force a burp out of a baby who just wants to nap.
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When To Just Let It Be
Sometimes, the best way to handle how to get rid of baby hiccups is to do absolutely nothing. I know, that’s the hardest advice to take. But if the baby is happy, let them hiccup. They will eventually stop on their own.
Actually, trying too hard to stop them can cause more stress than the hiccups themselves. Over-burping or constantly repositioning a sleepy infant might just make them cranky. Most bouts of hiccups resolve within 5 to 10 minutes. If they are sleeping through them? Leave them be. It’s okay.
A Quick Word On "Gripe Water"
You’ll see a lot of people in parenting forums swearing by gripe water. It’s a mix of herbs like fennel and ginger. While some parents love it, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) hasn't officially endorsed it as a "cure." It’s generally safe, but always check with your pediatrician before introducing any supplements, especially to newborns. Often, the act of swallowing the liquid is what stops the hiccups, not necessarily the ingredients themselves.
When Should You Actually Call The Doctor?
While hiccups are usually a "nothingburger," there are rare times when they point to something else, like Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER). If your baby is spitting up huge amounts, seems to be in genuine pain during the hiccups, or if the hiccups are so frequent they interfere with sleep and weight gain, it’s time to talk to a professional.
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Dr. Gina Posner, a pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center, often notes that while reflux is common, it’s the "happy spitters" we don't worry about—it’s the babies who are inconsolable that need a closer look.
Actionable Steps For Your Next Feeding
Don't overthink it. Most of this is just about slowing things down.
- Audit the bottle nipple: if the flow is too fast, the baby is swallowing air. Try a "Level 1" or "Slow Flow" nipple to force them to drink more deliberately.
- The "Paced Feeding" Method: If bottle-feeding, keep the bottle horizontal so the baby has to actively suck to get milk, rather than letting it pour into their mouth.
- Keep them upright: 20 minutes of "quiet time" in your arms after a meal does wonders for digestion.
- Relax: Your baby picks up on your stress. If you’re tensing up every time they hiccup, they might get fussy. Take a breath.
Hiccups are just a part of the "new human" experience. They’ll outgrow it as their torso gets longer and their nervous system stops being so twitchy. For now, just keep a burp cloth handy and remember that this, like the blowouts and the 2:00 AM wake-up calls, is just a phase.