What should you know about excessive hiccups newborn?

Hiccups are diaphragm spasms and commonly appear during or after a feed. A fast feed, a full stomach, swallowed air or mild reflux can irritate the area and trigger them. Hiccups by themselves usually do not show that a newborn has a serious illness. Pay attention to the baby’s colour, breathing, alertness, wet nappies, comfort and ability to feed.

Pause for a calm burp during and after feeds, keep the baby upright while awake after feeding, and check that the feeding position supports a steady latch or flow. Offer feeds according to the baby’s usual cues rather than forcing extra milk. Never give water, sugar, herbal remedies or medicines for hiccups unless a clinician specifically advises it. Always place a sleeping baby on their back on a firm, clear sleep surface.

Call emergency services for blue or grey lips, severe breathing difficulty, pauses in breathing, marked limpness or unresponsiveness. Seek urgent paediatric advice for repeated choking, green or bloody vomit, a swollen abdomen, fever in a young newborn, refusal of feeds, substantially fewer wet nappies, or unusual sleepiness. Contact the baby’s clinician if hiccups repeatedly prevent feeding or sleep, or if reflux symptoms are persistent.

Could the feeding pattern or reflux be contributing? Is the baby gaining weight and staying hydrated as expected? Which burping position and feeding adjustments are suitable for this baby?