Hiccups are caused by the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm muscle, and in babies they are very common and most of the time completely harmless. Babies hiccup even in the womb; as the nervous system and diaphragm mature, the frequency decreases on its own. Hiccups do not bother the baby as much as they bother you — most babies keep sleeping and feeding while hiccuping.

Why Do They Happen?

  • Swallowing air during feeding (fast sucking, wrong bottle angle)
  • The stomach filling and stretching quickly
  • Stomach contents irritating the esophagus after feeding
  • Sudden temperature changes, after excitement or crying

How to Stop Them

  • Burp the baby: Holding the baby upright during and after feeding and gently patting the back is the most effective method
  • A short breastfeed/pacifier can calm the diaphragm
  • Keep the baby upright for 15–20 minutes after feeding
  • If bottle-feeding: the nipple hole should be appropriate for the baby's age, and the bottle should be held at an angle that prevents air swallowing
  • Most of the time the best approach is to do nothing and simply wait — the hiccups resolve on their own within a few minutes

What NOT to Do

Adult methods such as scaring the baby, trying to make them hold their breath, giving water/sugar water (water is not given at all in the first 6 months), and placing something under the tongue should never be used in babies.

When to Tell the Doctor

It is not the hiccups themselves that matter, but what accompanies them: if hiccups come with frequent and restless vomiting, refusal to feed, arching of the back like a bow, and failure to gain weight, an evaluation for reflux is carried out. Unusual hiccup episodes that last for hours and disrupt sleep and feeding should also be mentioned during the examination.