How to Get Rid of Newborn Hiccups

There's something undeniably charming about baby hiccups-the adorable little sound that interrupts their peaceful coos. But as endearing as they are, you might wonder: are these hiccups truly harmless?

Rest assured, for the most part, baby hiccups are just a natural reflex and tend to fade away on their own, and even when they persist, they're generally nothing to worry about.

However, it's useful for parents to know how to handle them, as they can sometimes be a bit disruptive. Below, you will find information on why babies get hiccups and how to get rid of newborn hiccups.

An In-Depth Look at What Causes Hiccups in Babies: Why Do Newborns Get Hiccups?

Let's start by exploring your baby's physiology to answer the question, "What causes hiccups in newborns"?

To put it simply, hiccups are triggered by contractions of the diaphragm. Normally, when your baby exhales, the diaphragm relaxes, creating a smooth, rhythmic breathing pattern.

However, when the diaphragm contracts involuntarily, this rhythm is disrupted, causing their tiny vocal cords to suddenly close and produce a hiccup.

This reaction can be exasperated by various behaviors such as overfeeding, eating too quickly, swallowing too much air, or, in some cases, it can be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux.

How to Stop Newborn Hiccups: Do's and Don'ts

If your tiny tot is prone to hiccups, to the point where it is disrupting their eating or sleeping routine, then you may be desperate for a solution.

As an adult, you've likely tried one of the popular hiccup home remedies, such as holding your breath, sticking your tongue out, chugging water, or even seeking a jump scare.

However, to stop baby hiccups, you should take a different approach, as some of the aforementioned remedies for adults can be dangerous for a baby with hiccups.

What to Do When Newborn Has Hiccups

Here are tips on how to get rid of baby hiccups:

• Feed your baby smaller portions

• Attempt different feeding positions

• Hold your baby upright after feeding them

• Burp your baby between feedings

• Ensure proper latching while nursing

• Massage your baby's back

• Keep an eye out for signs of colic

• Offer your baby a pacifier

• Follow tips for removing excess air from your bottles

What Not to Do for Newborn with Hiccups

You should avoid the following remedies when managing infant hiccups:

• Do not try to startle your baby

• Do not pull on their tongue or try to make your baby stick out their tongue for prolonged periods

• Do not make your baby sip water while upside down to prevent hiccups, as this is distressing and dangerous

• Do not press on their eyeballs

• Do not get your baby to try to breathe in a paper bag or hold their breath

• Do not offer water or any liquids other than breast milk or formula

How to Prevent Hiccups in Babies

The best way to manage newborn hiccups is to prevent them from happening in the first place. To do so, we want to focus on their feeding routine, as swallowing too much air is a primary cause of baby hiccups after feeding.

Step one should be ensuring that your baby is calm when you feed them. You can achieve this by feeding them before they are too hungry. If you wait until your baby is crying, they may swallow more air while feeding.

As a solution, try to spot some of the earlier signs of hunger, like sucking on their hands or fingers, opening and closing their mouth, or clenching their fists.

Overfilling their tiny tummies can also result in excess gas, so watch out for signs of fullness and never force your baby to finish a bottle.

Finally, after the feeding is finished, avoid movements like bouncing up and down or high-energy play.

Ideally, you'll want to keep your baby in an upright position for around 20-30 minutes and burp them during this timeframe to expel any trapped gas.

Preventing Hiccups While Breastfeeding & Bottle Feeding

Preventing baby hiccups after eating will look slightly different depending on whether you are bottle feeding or breastfeeding.

Burping can prevent newborn hiccups after feeding, so if you are breastfeeding, it may also be helpful to burp your baby mid-feed as you switch from one breast to the other.

You also want to ensure that they have a good latch so that they are not swallowing too much air.

If you are concerned about newborn hiccups after breastfeeding, a lactation consultant can provide personalized advice on proper feeding techniques.

When it comes to bottle feeding, the nipple size can make a drastic difference in getting rid of baby hiccups. A nipple that is too big can cause milk to flow out too quickly, and a nipple that is too small can cause your baby to take in more air.

When to Seek Medical Attention About Hiccups in Newborns

While baby hiccups are generally not a cause for concern, certain circumstances may warrant a visit to your pediatrician, especially if they are affecting your child's quality of life.

You should contact your pediatrician if your baby has hiccups and is experiencing one or more of the following:

• Hiccups that last longer than 2 hours.

• Hiccups that are affecting your baby's ability to feed well or are disrupting their sleep.

• Hiccups that are happening frequently and causing distress.

• You suspect that hiccups are due to an underlying health condition like Gastroesophageal reflux (GER), which accompanies other symptoms like spitting up, trouble swallowing, arching back, refusing to eat, crying, and/or vomiting.

Answering Your Questions About Baby Hiccups

If your baby hiccups a lot, you may worry about your little one's well-being and comfort. To put your mind at ease, we'll answer some commonly asked questions about newborns and hiccups.

How Long Do Newborn Hiccups Last?

It is not uncommon for babies to experience hiccups throughout the day, sometimes occurring multiple times and lasting for 10 minutes or longer. Thankfully, newborn hiccups are rarely cause for concern.

Can Babies Lay Down with Hiccups?

While it is best to keep babies upright for at least 30 minutes after feeding them, it is not unsafe to lay them down with hiccups, except if they are having trouble breathing or showing signs of distress.

What is the Best Position for Baby Hiccups?

Sitting your baby upright can help reduce gas and prevent air from entering the stomach during feeding, thus reducing the chance of getting newborn hiccups after eating.

Are Hiccups Bad for Babies?

Typically, hiccups in newborn babies are just a minor disturbance and do not pose any harm. However, if your newborn hiccups a lot, to the point where it is disrupting their feeding or sleeping pattern, you may want to contact your pediatrician for personalized advice on how to manage newborn hiccups. In some cases, baby hiccups may be a symptom of gastroesophageal reflux.

Do Hiccups Hurt Babies?

No, a baby is unlikely to feel any pain when they're hiccupping. While adults may find hiccups uncomfortable, they tend to cause less distress in babies.

Do Pacifiers Help with Hiccups?

If you're trying to help baby get rid of hiccups, using a pacifier can be one way to help manage them. It encourages the diaphragm to relax, thus preventing hiccups from happening.

Wrapping Up: How to Get Rid of Newborn Hiccups

The good news is that newborn hiccups are usually nothing to fret about and are perfectly normal during the first year of life.

In the unlikely scenario that hiccups are causing disturbances in your little one's life, simple changes to their feeding routine can help prevent baby hiccups after every feeding.

Nevertheless, if your baby appears to be in distress while hiccuping or if you are alarmed by the frequency of baby hiccups, it is best to contact a doctor for personalized guidance on how to help baby with hiccups in the most effective way.