Baby Hiccups are normal!
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Baby got hiccups?
Hiccups come up frequently at pediatrician visits, and are a common source of worry for parents. But they shouldn’t be!
In fact, they may actually have a purpose in newborns, and be a way of teaching them how to control their breathing. Here is everything you need to know!
What are hiccups?
A hiccup (or “singultus”) is - simply put - an involuntary contraction of the diaphragm, which is a muscle involved in breathing. It is a reflex, and cannot be controlled, but it may actually be an important part of your baby’s neurologic development too.
One research study (PMID: 31677560) looking at electrical brain activity in 13 newborns actually found that hiccups trigger brain-waves in the baby’s cortex that may help them learn how to monitor (and voluntarily control) their own breathing. This may be why they occur prenatally, and we actually see them more often in premature babies.
What causes hiccups?
In most cases, these are random and reflexive. But for some babies who continue to have frequent hiccups, they can be associated with reflux or esophageal irritation or swallowed air.
What can I do about my baby’s hiccups?
I think that because we as adults find hiccups annoying, we worry they bother our babies. The most important thing to know about hiccups is that they are almost always benign, and most often go away on their own. The same study actually found that standard hiccups do not affect a baby’s respiratory rate, heart rate, or oxygen saturation.
Most of the time, they don’t bother babies at all— and waiting them out is the answer.
But if you really think they make your baby uncomfortable, here are some things to try:
Watch for a pattern: If you notice your baby always hiccups after feeding, or in a certain position, you may be able to change how you feed them. Often, the cause here will be related to how much air they swallow. To minimize swallowed air, consider smaller, more frequent feeds (or burping half-way during a feed). If you are bottle feeding, try paced feeding or a slower nipple to adjust the rate of flow. If you are nursing, try changing the position.
Keep baby upright after feeds, and pat/rub the back: Sometimes this will help release trapped air bubbles, as will infant massage and bicycling the legs.
Try a pacifier, snuggles, or infant massage: Fussiness can increase swallowed air, which is often why we see colic and gas happen together. Pacifiers, skin-to-skin contact, and even infant massage can help soothe your baby - and lead to less trapped air. For more info on gas in babies, check out this post. For my top tips for fussy infants, check out the free guide (scroll down to the guide you want).
What about gripe water, gas drops, or probiotics?
The data does not really support gripe water or gas drops being any different from placebo in infants.
Probiotics have been shown to decrease crying time for infants with colic, so they may indirectly help with hiccups and gas. See this post for details. However, because many of these products are not FDA regulated, they should be used with caution. Always discuss use of any medications with your pediatrician before trying them.
Things to avoid
Panicking :) Remember, hiccups are benign in most cases - and bother you more than your baby.
Trying any of the “remedies” that are recommended to adults.
Don’t try to get your baby to breathe into a paper bag, close off their nostrils in an attempt to get them to hold their breath, give them water or dunk them in water, hold them upside down, scare them or pull on their tongue. These things don’t work, and can be dangerous for your baby.
When to call the pediatrician
This is not a comprehensive list. In general, always err on the side of calling your pediatrician if you have any concerns about your child. There is a lot to be said for a parent’s gut instinct, and I promise: your pediatrician would rather you called!
Some general guidelines for when to reach out include:
If your baby’s hiccups are accompanied by significant discomfort, vomiting, or back arching.
If hiccups are prolonged (last longer than 1-2 days without relief) or are interfering with feeding or sleep.
If your baby continues to have frequent hiccups after the age of 1.
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