How to stop hiccups in a newborn

Hiccups are involuntary diaphragm contractions and often stop on their own. A newborn may hiccup after feeding because of swallowed air, a fast milk flow, or stomach fullness. The sound can worry parents, but a baby who remains pink, alert, comfortable, and able to feed usually needs observation rather than a special cure. Hiccups together with frequent spit-up or feeding discomfort may occur with [Acid Reflux](/conditions/acid-reflux/), although the hiccups themselves cannot confirm it.

Stop the feed for a short break and hold your baby upright with the airway clear and the neck supported. Burp gently if your baby accepts it, then wait for relaxed breathing before offering milk again. During later feeds, use a calm pace, check the latch, and include natural pauses. Never hold a baby's breath, press the soft spot, pull the tongue, frighten the baby, or give water, lemon, sugar, herbal products, or medicine to stop hiccups. These actions can cause harm or interfere with feeding.

Call emergency services for severe breathing difficulty, blue or grey lips, choking, or a baby who becomes unresponsive. Seek same-day medical advice if hiccups repeatedly prevent feeding, vomiting is forceful or green, the abdomen looks unusually swollen, or your baby has clearly fewer wet nappies. Ongoing pain, poor feeding, or unusual sleepiness also needs assessment. Digestive symptoms may have another explanation, such as [Gastritis](/conditions/gastritis/), and should not be treated by trial and error.

Ask whether the latch, feeding position, milk flow, or spit-up pattern needs review. Record when episodes begin, how long they last, and whether your baby coughs, arches, or refuses milk. Ask what signs should prompt a review and whether any treatment is appropriate. [Acid Reflux Medication](/treatments/medical-management/acid-reflux-medication/) should only be considered after a clinician evaluates the full feeding picture.