Baby Gets Hiccups Often? Why It Happens and What to Do

Dr. Sandip Gupta

"Doctor, my baby gets hiccups again and again — is this something to be scared of, and what should we do?" This video answers that. First — don't be scared. This is a normal thing. Why it happens: The milk the baby has drunk sometimes comes back up from the stomach into the throat, into the food pipe, and when the baby swallows it again, the baby gets hiccups. What to do: Take the baby in your lap, hold them a little upright on your shoulder, and walk for 5–10 minutes while burping them — the hiccups will reduce. If the baby gets hiccups during feeding, slow the feeding down a little. Check your latching technique to see whether the baby is latching properly. If you feed with a bottle, correct the nipple size — if the nipple flow is too fast or too slow, that also causes hiccups in the baby. When to see a doctor: If despite all this the baby has hiccups continuously all day, show the child to your doctor. Relevant for: parents whose newborn or baby gets frequent hiccups; parents worried whether hiccups in babies are normal or serious; parents whose baby hiccups during or after feeds; mothers wanting to check their latch; parents bottle feeding and asking about nipple size and flow rate; and parents wanting to know when hiccups need a doctor's attention. Disclaimer: This video is for general information and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Every baby is different — please consult your pediatrician if your baby has continuous hiccups, frequent vomiting, feeding difficulty, or is not gaining weight.