How to Stop Baby Hiccups After Feeding: What Actually Works
You've just finished a lovely feed. Baby is calm, milk-drunk, and content. Then it starts. Hic. Hic. Hic. 😅
If you're a new mum, baby hiccups can feel oddly stressful. You've just got them settled and now they're hiccupping away, sometimes for what feels like forever. Should you do something? Is something wrong? Are they in pain?
The short answer: baby hiccups after feeding are completely normal, extremely common, and almost always harmless. They bother parents far more than they bother the baby. But that doesn't mean you can't do anything about them.
This guide explains why babies get hiccups, what actually helps stop them, how to prevent them during feeds, and when it's worth mentioning to your GP or health visitor.
Why Do Babies Get Hiccups After Feeding? 🤔
Hiccups happen when the diaphragm, the thin sheet of muscle below your baby's lungs that controls breathing, suddenly contracts. When it spasms, air rushes in and the vocal cords snap shut, making that little "hic" sound.
Babies are especially prone to hiccups because their digestive systems are still developing. The muscles and nerves that coordinate feeding, breathing, and digestion are learning to work together, and sometimes they get their signals crossed.
The most common triggers after feeding include:
Swallowed air during feeding. If your baby feeds too quickly, doesn't latch deeply enough, or gulps between sucks, they swallow pockets of air along with their milk. That air fills the stomach, presses against the diaphragm, and triggers hiccups.
A full stomach. Babies have tiny stomachs. When they fill up quickly (especially during a hungry, enthusiastic feed), the expanded stomach pushes against the diaphragm and causes it to spasm.
Feeding too fast. Whether you're breastfeeding or bottle feeding, a fast flow can overwhelm your baby. They gulp to keep up, swallow air, and the hiccups follow.
Temperature changes. This one surprises people. A sudden change in temperature, like moving from a warm feed to a cooler room, can sometimes trigger the diaphragm to contract.
Reflux. In some cases, frequent hiccups can be associated with gastroesophageal reflux, where stomach acid rises into the oesophagus and irritates the diaphragm. If your baby's hiccups are accompanied by arching their back, crying during feeds, frequent spitting up, or poor weight gain, it's worth speaking to your GP.
7 Simple Ways to Stop Baby Hiccups ✅
If your baby has the hiccups and they seem unbothered, the best approach is honestly to do nothing. They'll pass on their own within 5 to 10 minutes. But if you want to help move things along, here's what actually works:
1. Take a Burping Break
This is the most effective method. If hiccups start during a feed, pause and burp your baby. Hold them upright against your shoulder or sitting on your lap, and gently pat or rub their back until they release the trapped air.
If you're bottle feeding, try burping every 60 to 90ml. If you're breastfeeding, burp when you switch sides. That mid-feed break gives the stomach time to settle and releases the air that's pressing on the diaphragm.
2. Keep Them Upright After Feeding
Don't lay your baby flat straight after a feed. Hold them in an upright position for 20 to 30 minutes. Gravity helps the milk settle and prevents air from getting trapped. This is one of the simplest things you can do and it works for both hiccups and reflux.
A comfortable position is holding them against your chest with their head on your shoulder. You can gently rub their back while you're at it.
3. Slow Down the Feed
If your baby tends to gulp, slow things down. For bottle feeding, use a slower flow teat or try paced bottle feeding, where you hold the bottle more horizontally and let your baby control the pace. For breastfeeding, if you have a fast let down, try expressing a little before latching so the flow isn't overwhelming.
4. Offer a Dummy
Sucking on a dummy can help relax the diaphragm and stop hiccups. The rhythmic sucking motion calms the muscle spasms. This works even when hiccups happen outside of feeding time.
5. Check the Latch
If you're breastfeeding, a shallow latch means your baby is taking in air with every suck. Make sure they're latching deeply, with a wide open mouth, covering the areola not just the nipple. If you're unsure, your health visitor or a breastfeeding counsellor can check for you.
If you're bottle feeding, make sure the teat is completely full of milk before offering it. Air trapped in the teat goes straight into your baby's stomach.
6. Feed Before They're Desperately Hungry
A screaming, starving baby will gulp and swallow air. They're feeding in panic mode, not calm mode. Try to catch the early hunger cues, lip smacking, turning their head, sucking their fist, and start the feed before it becomes an emergency.
7. Just Wait
Most hiccup episodes last 5 to 10 minutes and resolve completely on their own. Your baby isn't in pain. Their breathing isn't affected. It's uncomfortable to watch, but for your baby, it's just another Tuesday.
Baby Hiccups During Weaning: Does Solid Food Make It Worse? 🍽
When your baby starts solids around six months, you might notice hiccups popping up during mealtimes too. This can happen because:
They're eating too quickly. Excitement about new foods (or just the general chaos of baby-led weaning) means some babies shove food in faster than they can comfortably swallow.
They're swallowing air while chewing. Babies are still learning to coordinate chewing and swallowing. Air gets mixed in with the food and triggers hiccups.
Big mouthfuls. Babies don't have a great sense of portion control yet. A too-large piece of food stretches the stomach quickly.
To reduce hiccups during weaning meals, try offering smaller pieces of food and letting your baby set the pace. A calm, unhurried mealtime makes a big difference. Make sure they're sitting fully upright in their highchair with their feet supported, as this gives them the core stability to eat and swallow properly.
Using a suction bowl that stays in place on the highchair tray means your baby isn't reaching, stretching, or twisting to grab food, which helps them stay in a comfortable upright position throughout the meal.
After the meal, keep them sitting up for a few minutes before lifting them out. That short window helps everything settle and reduces both hiccups and spit-up.
What NOT to Do When Your Baby Has Hiccups 🚫
There are a few traditional hiccup "cures" that work for adults but should never be used on babies:
Don't frighten or startle them. This doesn't work for babies and can cause distress.
Don't press on their eyeballs or fontanelle. Some old remedies suggest this. Never do this under any circumstances.
Don't give water to a baby under six months. Babies under six months should only have breast milk or formula. Even after six months, hiccups aren't a reason to offer water between feeds.
Don't pull their tongue or press on their forehead. No evidence this works and it's uncomfortable for your baby.
Don't use gripe water without speaking to your health visitor first. Gripe water is marketed for colic and hiccups, but it's classified as a supplement and isn't regulated in the same way as medicines. Some formulations contain ingredients that aren't suitable for young babies.
When to Speak to Your GP ⚠️
Baby hiccups are almost always normal. But in rare cases, they can be a sign of something that needs attention. Contact your GP or health visitor if:
- Hiccups last longer than an hour without stopping
- Your baby seems distressed, is crying, or is arching their back during or after feeds
- Hiccups are accompanied by frequent, forceful vomiting (not just normal spit-up)
- Your baby has difficulty breathing or their lips turn blue
- Your baby isn't gaining weight as expected
- Hiccups are happening constantly throughout the day and interfering with sleep and feeding
These symptoms could indicate reflux or another digestive issue that your GP can help manage.
Quick Reference: Hiccups Checklist for New Parents 📋
To stop hiccups:
- Burp your baby (gentle pats or rubs on the back)
- Keep them upright for 20 to 30 minutes after feeding
- Offer a dummy to relax the diaphragm
- Wait it out, most episodes pass in 5 to 10 minutes
To prevent hiccups:
- Feed before your baby gets desperately hungry
- Burp mid-feed (every 60 to 90ml for bottles, between sides for breastfeeding)
- Slow down the feed (paced bottle feeding, check let down speed)
- Check the latch (breastfeeding) or teat fill (bottle feeding)
- Keep your baby upright during and after feeds
- During weaning, offer smaller pieces and keep mealtimes calm
The Bottom Line 💛
Baby hiccups after feeding are one of those things that feel like a much bigger deal than they actually are. They're a completely normal part of your baby's digestive system developing, and in the vast majority of cases, they pass on their own without any help.
The best things you can do are simple: burp regularly, feed calmly, keep your baby upright, and try not to worry. Your baby isn't uncomfortable, even if it looks that way. And as they grow, their digestive system matures, and hiccups become less and less frequent.
If you're in the weaning stage and mealtimes are triggering hiccups, take it as a sign to slow things down a little. Smaller portions, a calm environment, and keeping your baby sitting upright in a supportive highchair all help. The right feeding equipment, a stable suction bowl, a comfortable silicone bib, and a cup they can manage at their own pace, makes the whole experience calmer for both of you. 💛
Your Questions, Answered
Are baby hiccups after feeding normal?
Yes, completely. Hiccups are caused by the diaphragm muscle contracting, which is very common in babies because their digestive system is still developing. Most episodes last 5 to 10 minutes and don't cause any discomfort.
Can I feed my baby while they have hiccups?
Yes, you can. If the hiccups aren't bothering your baby, it's fine to continue or start a feed. Sometimes, feeding can actually help relax the diaphragm and stop the hiccups.
Do hiccups mean my baby is full?
Not necessarily. Hiccups are usually caused by swallowed air or a sudden stomach stretch, not fullness. Your baby may hiccup whether they've had a big feed or a small one.
How long do baby hiccups last?
Typically 5 to 10 minutes. If they last longer than an hour or your baby seems distressed, contact your GP or health visitor.
Do hiccups get better as my baby grows?
Yes. As your baby's digestive system matures and they start eating solid food, hiccups generally become less frequent. Most babies hiccup far less by their first birthday.
Should I use gripe water for baby hiccups?
Speak to your health visitor before using gripe water. It's a supplement, not a regulated medicine, and some formulations contain ingredients that may not be suitable for young babies.
Keep Reading
Parenting Tips:
Weaning Guides:
Recipes:
Shop:
Sources: NHS, NHS Start4Life, British Red Cross, SMA Baby
Share