Hiccups in Babies: Why They Happen and When to Call the Doctor
Written from the public health sources listed below. This article has not yet been reviewed by a clinician. See our editorial policy.
Hiccups are common and normal in newborns and babies, and they usually bother parents more than babies.[1][2] If you are worried, your pediatrician or child health nurse is the right person to ask.
Why Babies Get Hiccups
- Feeding quickly. Babies often hiccup when they feed fast, whether nursing or bottle-feeding.[2]
- Swallowed air. Gas in the stomach can irritate the diaphragm.[3]
- It is simply normal. Babies can hiccup even in the womb.[1]
What May Help
- Burp your baby after feeds, and sometimes in the middle of a feed.[1]
- Offer a pacifier if your baby uses one.[1]
- Keep your baby upright for a while after feeding.[1]
- Feed when your baby is calm rather than very hungry and frantic.
Often the best approach is to wait; the hiccups pass by themselves.[2]
What Not to Do
- Do not use adult remedies such as sugar, lemon, paper bags or startling the baby.
- Plain water is not usually advised for very young babies. Ask your pediatrician first.
- Do not give any medicine for hiccups unless a doctor advises it.
When to Ask a Pediatrician
Contact your pediatrician or child health nurse if hiccups:
- last for a long time or happen very often[1]
- come with vomiting[1]
- come with coughing or frequent spitting up, which can point to reflux[3]
- seem to upset your baby, or affect feeding or sleep
If your baby is struggling to breathe, turns blue or very pale, or is unusually limp or drowsy, seek emergency care immediately.
This page gives general information only and cannot assess your baby.
Explore the Practical Hiccups Video Guide
The adult-focused DrHiccups guide is not a substitute for pediatric advice. Always ask your pediatrician about your baby.
Educational only. The guide does not replace medical advice or treatment.
Related reading
References
Medical disclaimer: this article is general information, not medical advice.