You’re sitting there, maybe it’s 2:00 AM, and your little one is rhythmicly twitching. Hic. Hic. Hic. It looks exhausting. Honestly, it looks like it should hurt, right? Their tiny bodies jump with every spasm, and as a parent, you’re just waiting for the crying to start. But here’s the thing—it usually doesn't. Babies don't seem nearly as annoyed by hiccups as we are. Still, you want to know how to help baby get rid of hiccups because watching them struggle feels like failing at the "comfort" part of your job description.
Most of the time, we’re the ones stressed out. The baby? They’re probably just wondering why you’re staring at them with that panicked look on your face.
The Science of the Spasm
Hiccups are basically just a localized freak-out of the diaphragm. That’s the large muscle at the base of the lungs. When it gets irritated, it snaps downward, causing a sudden intake of air that hits the vocal cords. Pop. That’s the sound. In newborns and infants, this is incredibly common because their neurological systems are still "wiring up." The communication between the brain and the diaphragm isn't quite a high-speed fiber connection yet. It’s more like dial-up.
Dr. Lynne J. Goebel and other medical researchers note that babies spend a massive chunk of their time hiccuping, even in the womb. If you felt those rhythmic rhythmic thumps during pregnancy, you were already witnessing the diaphragm workout. It’s a developmental rite of passage.
How to Help Baby Get Rid of Hiccups During a Feed
Feeding is the most common trigger. Period. When a baby eats too fast or swallows a bunch of air, the stomach expands. Since the stomach lives right underneath the diaphragm, that expansion pushes upward, tickling the nerve and triggering the "hic" response.
If you're breastfeeding, the latch might be the culprit. If it’s not tight, they’re gulping air like it’s a soda. Switch sides. Sometimes just changing the angle stops the cycle. If you’re bottle-feeding, check the nipple flow. If the milk is pouring out like a faucet, the baby is frantically swallowing to keep up, which is a one-way ticket to Hiccup City. Try a slower-flow nipple. Seriously.
Burp them. Don’t wait until the end of the bottle. Stop every two or three ounces. If you're nursing, burp them when you switch breasts. Getting that air bubble out of the stomach relieves the pressure on the diaphragm almost instantly. You’ve probably seen the traditional "over the shoulder" pat, but try sitting them on your lap, supporting their chin with your hand (don't choke 'em!), and leaning them forward slightly while you pat their back. It works better for some kids because it elongates the torso.
The Pacifier Trick and Other Quick Fixes
Sometimes you just need a circuit breaker. A pacifier can be a godsend here. The rhythmic sucking motion often helps relax the diaphragm. It’s like hitting the reset button on a glitchy computer. The repetitive motion focuses the body on a different muscular task, which can override the involuntary spasms of the hiccups.
Wait.
Don't do the "scare them" thing. Please.
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I know your uncle told you to jump out from behind a door, but that just creates a crying baby with hiccups. Not an improvement. Also, skip the water-holding or the sugar-under-the-tongue tricks you use on adults. Babies shouldn't have water before six months anyway—it messes with their electrolyte balance—and sugar is just unnecessary.
When Should You Actually Worry?
Most hiccups are harmless. They last a few minutes and disappear. However, if they’re happening all the time and your baby seems to be in actual pain, you might be looking at Gastroesophageal Reflux (GER). This is when stomach acid moves back up into the esophagus.
If the hiccups are accompanied by:
- Intense crying or arching of the back.
- Projectile vomiting (not just a little spit-up).
- Extreme irritability during feedings.
Then it's time to call the pediatrician. Dr. Gina Posner, a board-certified pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center, often points out that while hiccups are normal, they shouldn't interfere with sleep or growth. If your baby is losing weight or can't sleep because the spasms are so violent, that's a medical conversation, not an internet-search conversation.
The Patience Method
Honestly? Sometimes the best way of how to help baby get rid of hiccups is to do absolutely nothing.
It sounds counterintuitive. We want to fix things. But if the baby is playing, or content, or even drifting off to sleep while hiccuping, just let it be. Their body will regulate itself. Usually, within five to ten minutes, the diaphragm relaxes on its own. Use that time to take a breath yourself.
Actionable Steps for the Next Hiccup Bout
Instead of panicking, follow this sequence next time the "hics" start:
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- Change their position. If they are lying flat, sit them upright. Gravity helps the stomach contents settle and allows air to move up.
- Check the "Air to Milk" ratio. If bottle feeding, tilt the bottle so the nipple is entirely full of milk, not half-air.
- The "Little and Often" approach. If your baby is a "hiccuper," try smaller feedings more frequently. A massive meal is a guaranteed trigger for a distended stomach.
- Rub their back. Gentle circular motions can help release trapped gas and soothe the nervous system.
- Observe. If they aren't bothered, you shouldn't be either.
If you notice the hiccups lasting longer than 48 hours—which is extremely rare for an infant—that’s your cue to seek professional advice. Otherwise, keep a burp cloth handy and remember that this is just part of their body learning how to function in the outside world.