All parenting tips
Behavior

Why does my baby have hiccups so often?

1 min read

Frequent hiccups are normal in young babies and usually bother parents far more than the baby. Many babies hiccup from time to time, often after swallowing air during a feeding.

Most hiccups come and go on their own and aren't a sign that anything is wrong. They tend to crop up around feedings, when your baby has gulped a little extra air, so a pause or a change of position can help settle them.

If hiccups start mid-feeding, it's fine to pause, try a burp, and let your baby relax before continuing. A few simple habits can make them less likely to happen in the first place.

What you can do

  • If hiccups start during a feed, change position and try to burp your baby
  • Wait for hiccups to pass, or resume feeding for a few minutes to help stop them
  • Feed your baby when calm, before they get extremely hungry
  • Burp regularly during feeds to cut down on swallowed air

Based on AAP guidance. Always consult your pediatrician for personalized advice.

More parenting tips

Put it into practice.

Track sleep, feeds and milestones in ParentFlow — free to start.

Get started