Why Does My Baby Get Hiccups So Often?

Why Does My Baby Get Hiccups So Often?

You just finished feeding your baby. Or maybe you're still mid-feeding. Then your baby starts hiccupping. They don’t seem to be stopping anytime soon. This can be worrisome, but it's most likely completely normal. Healthy babies hiccup, too. Still, it's a good idea to learn about what makes your baby hiccup and what you can do to help.

Why Babies Hiccup So Much

Babies hiccup because their diaphragms and lungs are still growing. They constrict, it causes the "hic" sound. This is usually completely normal. Your little one is growing and hungry, so they sometimes inhale more air than they need when feeding. That extra air can affect their diaphragm and airways and cause those little “hics.” Newborn babies do this often. They can even do it in the womb before they're born. Lots of mothers have felt baby hiccups during their pregnancies. You could say that hiccupping is something your baby does very naturally.

What Can Trigger Baby Hiccups

Your baby might hiccup because of a few common reasons. Here are some of those reasons:

• Your baby swallows too much air while feeding.
• Your baby goes through a sudden change of temperature.
• Your baby has extra gas.

Quickly going from cold to hot or hot to cold can be a lot for a baby. Maybe a safe dip in cold water on a hot day. Or going from cool, air-conditioned indoors to the hot outdoors. Every baby is unique. Your baby may react to these things differently from other babies.

What May Help Newborn Hiccups

You might be wondering if there's anything you can do to help with your baby's hiccups. Here are a few things you can try:

• Slow down your feedings.
• Burp your baby during feedings. Every few ounces, or when you're switching breasts, tends to work well.
• If your baby uses a pacifier, the sucking motion can help release some of the extra air.

Almost all baby hiccups stop on their own. But if you're worried, you can try some of these tips. You can also bring it up with your baby's pediatric care team at your next visit.

When to Call Your Pediatrician

Sometimes it's a good idea to reach out to your baby's pediatrician. If the hiccups seem to be bothering your baby, painful or interrupting sleep, those are cues to reach out for help. Other things to look out for are spit-up, coughing or fussiness. Back-arching during feedings is another thing to watch. If your baby isn't gaining weight or is refusing to feed, those are good reasons to check in. Your pediatrician can check things out and help you find answers, and a plan if one is needed.

If you have any questions about your baby's hiccups or feeding, reach out to your Baptist Health pediatrician. If you do not have a pediatrician, you can find one by visiting our provider directory.