How to Get Rid of Baby Hiccups: Causes, Gentle Remedies, and When to Worry

If your newborn hiccups several times a day, you are not alone in wondering whether something is wrong. The good news: baby hiccups are almost always completely normal and rarely bother the baby the way they bother us. Still, most parents want to know why hiccups happen, how to gently help, and when they signal something worth mentioning to a pediatrician. Here are the real questions parents ask, answered.

What causes newborn hiccups?

A hiccup happens when your baby's diaphragm — the muscle under the lungs — spasms and briefly closes the vocal cords, making that familiar "hic" sound. In babies, this is usually triggered by feeding: swallowing extra air, eating a little too quickly, or a full tummy that presses on the diaphragm. A baby's digestive and nervous systems are still maturing, so these small spasms are common in the first several months and typically fade as your little one grows. In other words, hiccups are often just a sign of a normal, developing feeding system — not a problem to fix.

How do you get rid of baby hiccups?

Most hiccups will stop on their own within 5 to 15 minutes. When you'd like to help them along, gentle, feeding-related steps work best:

• Take a burping break. Pausing to burp can release trapped air that's irritating the diaphragm. Burp bottle-fed babies every 2–3 ounces, and breastfed babies when you switch sides.
• Offer a pacifier. The rhythmic sucking motion can help relax the diaphragm.
• Hold baby upright. Keeping your baby upright for about 20–30 minutes after a feed lets gravity help settle the stomach.
• Slow the pace. If hiccups tend to start mid-feed, try smaller, calmer feeding sessions.

Avoid the old "cures" meant for adults — don't startle your baby, and never give water to a newborn under 6 months unless your pediatrician advises it.

Does gripe water help with baby hiccups?

This is one of the most-searched baby questions, and the honest answer is: gripe water isn't a proven hiccup remedy. Gripe water is a herbal-based liquid many parents reach for when a baby seems gassy or unsettled, and because hiccups and gas often show up together, some parents feel it helps calm the overall fussiness around a hiccup spell. What it doesn't do is "switch off" the diaphragm spasm itself — hiccups simply pass on their own. If you're weighing your options, our guide comparing gripe water versus baby tea for colic breaks down what each is actually for.

For everyday digestive comfort, many parents rely on a gentle, warm cup of Babies' Magic Tea, a USDA Organic blend traditionally used to soothe gas and support easier digestion, or the single-herb Baby Catnip Tea. These are used to support general comfort during fussy, gassy stretches — not as a treatment for hiccups themselves. Always check with your pediatrician before introducing anything new to a baby's routine.

Are baby hiccups a sign of gas or overfeeding?

Often, yes — and that's useful information. Because swallowed air and a very full stomach are common triggers, frequent hiccups can be a gentle nudge to slow feeds, burp more often, and check the latch or bottle nipple flow so your baby swallows less air. Hiccups that cluster right after big or fast feeds usually point to air or fullness rather than anything concerning. If gas and fussiness are a recurring theme, you may find our overview of baby reflux and spit-up helpful for telling normal newborn digestion apart from something that needs attention.

Can you feed a baby who has the hiccups?

Yes. Hiccups don't affect your baby's breathing, and many babies will happily nurse or take a bottle right through them — sometimes feeding even helps the hiccups settle. Follow your baby's cues: if they're calm and rooting, it's fine to continue; if they seem uncomfortable, pause, burp, and try again in a few minutes.

How can you prevent baby hiccups?

You can't prevent every hiccup, but a few habits reduce how often they show up: feed before your baby is overly hungry (frantic feeding means more swallowed air), keep feeds calm and unhurried, burp partway through and at the end, and hold your baby upright for a bit afterward. A predictable, relaxed wind-down routine helps too — for older babies who fuss in the evening, our tips on soothing a colicky baby at night pair well with calmer feeds. For a broader look at gentle, natural baby wellness, our wellness guide and baby colic relief page are good starting points.

When should you worry about baby hiccups?

Everyday hiccups in a baby under 1 who is feeding, growing, and content are not a cause for concern and generally disappear on their own by the first birthday. Check in with your pediatrician if hiccups are very frequent or unusually long-lasting, if your baby seems genuinely distressed — arching the back, crying during feeds, or spitting up forcefully alongside them — or if hiccups come with poor feeding, poor weight gain, or signs of reflux. When in doubt, a quick call to your pediatrician is always the right move.

The bottom line

Baby hiccups are one of those startling-but-normal parts of newborn life. Slower feeds, regular burping, and a little upright time after eating are the most reliable ways to help — and time does the rest. Save the worry for the rare signs above, and lean on your pediatrician whenever something feels off.

This article is for general educational purposes and is not medical advice. Secrets of Tea products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.