Bundle of Joy

Hiccups again? They bother you more than her.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the NHS and Australia’s government health service each say why newborns get hiccups, what helps during a feed and when to ask. Here’s what they say, in their own words, with a link to every page.

Are hiccups bad for a newborn?

“Most babies hiccup from time to time. Usually this bothers parents more than the infant.” American Academy of Pediatrics
“When your baby hiccups, it can look as if their whole body is moving. Their hiccups can be quite loud. It is unlikely that your baby feels any pain when they are hiccupping. Hiccups do not bother most babies.” Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government)
“Babies often have hiccups. They can even have hiccups in the uterus. Hiccups don't normally bother babies. If you want to help your baby stop hiccupping, you can: ... burp them after their feed ... give them a dummy or pacifier ... sit them upright after their feed ... If your baby's hiccups last a long time, or they have other symptoms like vomiting, speak to your doctor or child health nurse.” healthdirect (Australian Government)
“Hiccups often start for no apparent reason. They most often disappear after a few minutes. In rare cases, hiccups can last for days, weeks, or months. Hiccups are common and normal in newborns and infants.” MedlinePlus (NIH)

Why do newborns get hiccups?

The sources don’t agree on the cause, so here are both.

“Hiccups are often caused by overeating. They can also be from a little acid irritating the lower esophagus.” American Academy of Pediatrics
“Hiccups happen when the nerves in your diaphragm are triggered, causing it to go into spasm. It is not clear what causes the nerves to be stimulated in the first place.” Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government)

What helps, especially mid-feed

“But if hiccups occur during a feeding, change your baby's position, try to get them to burp, or help them relax. Wait until the hiccups are gone to resume feeding. If they don't disappear in 5 to 10 minutes, try to resume feeding for a few minutes. Doing this usually stops them.” American Academy of Pediatrics
“If your baby gets hiccups often, try to feed your baby when they are calm and before they are extremely hungry. This usually makes hiccups less likely during feedings.” American Academy of Pediatrics
“If your baby has hiccups, they do not need to be treated. Usually, they will stop on their own within a few minutes. There is little that can be done for babies who are hiccupping, other than to sit them upright and try burping them.” Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government)

Hiccups and reflux

“Symptoms of reflux in babies include: ... coughing or hiccupping when feeding” NHS
“Hiccupping can sometimes happen together with episodes of regurgitation (spitting up), when small amounts of milk are brought up. Babies who have been diagnosed with gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) and also have hiccups may feel discomfort when acid from the stomach comes up the oesophagus (food pipe) because of reflux.” Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government)
“Symptoms include: ... constant hiccups or coughing ... Your baby does not usually need to see a doctor if they're happy, healthy and gaining weight.” HSE (Ireland)

When to ask

“If your baby has difficulty feeding or refuses to feed, regularly brings milk back up and seems uncomfortable after a feed, talk to your pharmacist, GP or health visitor.” NHS Best Start in Life
“It is important to trust your instincts and have your baby checked by a health professional when you feel they need it.” Pregnancy, Birth and Baby (Australian Government)

Hiccups mid-feed? Pause the timer.

Bundle of Joy’s feed timer pauses and picks up where it left off, so a hiccup break doesn’t split the feed in two. Your partner’s phone shows the feed is on.

The breastfeeding timer · Baby feeding chart

Sources

Every quote on this page was checked against its source on . Not medical advice: for your baby, ask your pediatrician or health visitor.

More from the sources: Baby feeding chart · Newborn diaper chart · Newborn weight loss and gain · Average newborn weight · Newborn fever · Newborn sleep · Tummy time · Bathing a newborn · Cluster feeding · Infant Tylenol and Motrin dosage · Baby colic

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