Newborn Hiccups

Hiccups can start as early as 9-10 week gestational age. Hiccups in the womb can feel like small rhythmic kicks as your baby grows. These hiccups that your baby is experiencing in the womb are a way of your baby practicing breathing. They help your baby’s lungs mature and are a good sign that the brain and spinal cord are developing properly. Hiccups can happen in the womb multiple times a day lasting for a few minutes.

Since hiccups are common in the womb, they are even more common for newborn babies. Just like adults, newborn babies have no control over their hiccups. They usually happen when your baby is feeding. Newborn hiccups can look like intense jerks. Thankfully hiccups for newborns are usually harmless and don’t bother your baby. Some newborns can even sleep through bouts of hiccups. Hiccups for your newborn will usually only last between 5-10 minutes. They can happen multiple times during a single day.

The diaphragm is the muscle that pulls air down when you are breathing in, and then relaxes when you breathe out. When a muscle spasm occurs in the diaphragm it makes your body suck in air causing the vocal cords to close up which causes the hiccup noise. Hiccups can happen to your newborn for a few reasons. Your baby eating too much, too quickly, or swallowing too much air are the main causes of hiccups. Another cause can be reflux. This is when partially digested food and stomach acid come back up the esophagus. This can irritate the diaphragm which can cause a spasm which can lead to hiccups.

Hiccups are usually no cause for concern. They generally do not need medical attention and after a few minutes they will go away on their own. It can be distressing as a parent to see your child suffer from hiccups that seem like they should be disturbing, since hiccups for adults can be unpleasant. There are some things you can do that may help ease your baby’s hiccups, or help them go away quicker.

The first thing you can try is burp your baby. Slowing their feeding down so they are calmer, can help your baby not swallow so much air. You can try burping your baby when they are either half way through their bottle, or recommended amounts are every 2-3 oz of formula pause the feed and burp your baby. If you are breastfeeding, burp your baby as you switch between breasts. After feeding burp your baby and keep them upright for about 15 minutes if possible can also be beneficial.

Rubbing your baby’s back can also help alleviate hiccups. This can also help burp your baby if patting their back doesn’t always help get a burp out.

Use a pacifier. The sucking motion can help calm the diaphragm and stop the hiccups.

Change your baby’s position. It is ok for your baby to be lying down flat while they have hiccups. Just make sure they are not in any distress, or showing difficulty breathing. If they are lying down, sitting them up on your lap or up against your shoulder may help hiccups pass quicker. Sitting your baby in a propped up position after eating can help them not develop hiccups.

Gripe water is a herb mixture that contains chamomile, peppermint, ginger, and fennel. It is a homeopathy remedy used to help relieve irritability, gas, digestive problems, colic and bloating. You can talk with your doctor if gripe water may be a good option for your baby if they have hiccups that occur often.

You should never try the tricks of getting rid of adult hiccups on a baby. Do not try to have them hold their breath. Or make them breathe into a paper bag. Never startle your baby in hopes to get rid of their hiccups. And do not try any other liquids such as water or juice.

Hiccups are usually harmless. You may want to talk to your doctor if your child has frequent bouts of hiccups and other signs of reflux. Signs of reflux are spitting up, trouble swallowing, arching back, refusing to eat, crying, and vomiting.

You can try to prevent hiccups from happening in your baby by feeding your baby before they are overly hungry. This will make them calmer during the feed and may prevent them from swallowing too much air, or eating too quickly. Feed your baby smaller, more frequent meals. After feeding, hold your baby upright for at least 15 minutes if possible. Reposition the bottle. Make sure there are no air bubbles in the nipple as your baby is drinking. When breastfeeding make sure your baby has a proper latch.

Newborn hiccups are very common. They are not painful to your baby. If you are worried about the frequency or they have other signs of reflux speak with your child’s doctor. Hiccups are a sign that your baby is a healthy developing baby. Hiccups become less common as your baby matures. Around the six month mark the amount of hiccups your baby gets will start to decrease. Try different things to see what can help your baby ease their hiccups, or decrease their frequency.