How to Cure Newborn Hiccups

Overview

Hiccups in newborn babies are fairly common. In fact, they often begin before the baby is even born, and pregnant women can sometimes feel these fetal hiccups. After birth, babies who frequently hiccupped in utero often hiccup outside the womb as well. Although hiccups generally don't bother the baby, new parents are often concerned about newborn hiccups and want to find ways to help their infant.

Step 1

Burp the baby. Sometimes pressure in a newborn's tiny tummy can cause or worsen a bout of hiccups. Burping the baby might ease the pressure and let your baby get over his hiccups. Hold him upright on your shoulder and pat his back gently, or by sit him on your knee and lean him forward as you pat his back.

Step 2

Feed the baby. Whether breastfeeding or formula feeding, the sucking action of feeding can stimulate the diaphragm to relax and return to normal, stopping your baby's hiccups. Even if this remedy doesn't work, feeding will help distract a hiccupping baby, giving her something else to think about.

Step 3

Have the pediatrician check for reflux. In some babies, extremely frequent bouts of hiccups signal a medical problem. If your baby is hiccupping more than once or twice a day or for long periods at a time, he might have reflux, a condition in which the contents of the esophagus come back up into his throat and mouth. Babies with reflux usually have other signs, including breathing problems or demonstrating pain when feeding. Reflux is treatable, so don't hesitate to talk to your child's pediatrician if his hiccups seem excessive.

Step 4

Relax and wait it out. Hiccups don't really hurt the baby, so sometimes waiting it out is the best remedy. Newborn hiccups don't typically last longer than about 30 minutes and usually stop in a far shorter time. They also will decrease in frequency as the baby gets older. By the time the baby is a year old, her hiccups should be a rare occurrence.