Last updated: January 2026
Yes, baby hiccups (hichki) are completely normal and usually harmless! Hiccups are actually very common in infants - babies can even hiccup in the womb from 21 weeks of pregnancy. They typically don't bother babies the way they bother adults, and usually stop on their own within a few minutes. No intervention is needed in most cases.
Reassurance: Almost all parents worry about their baby's hiccups at some point. Rest assured - your baby is almost certainly fine! Hiccups look and sound alarming but are rarely a sign of anything wrong.
Watch: Always look for this early hunger cues.Do you feed your baby only after they start crying?
Hiccups happen when the diaphragm (the dome-shaped muscle below the lungs that helps with breathing) contracts suddenly and involuntarily. This causes the vocal cords to close quickly, making the "hic" sound we all know.
In babies, this commonly happens due to:
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| **Immature nervous system** | The nerve controlling the diaphragm is still developing |
| **Small stomach** | Gets full quickly, presses on diaphragm |
| **Frequent feeds** | More opportunities to swallow air |
| **Normal development** | Hiccups may actually help strengthen breathing muscles |
| **Sensitive diaphragm** | Easily triggered by small changes |
Did you know? Hiccups may serve a developmental purpose - some researchers believe they help exercise and strengthen the diaphragm muscle in newborns!
Contact your pediatrician if you notice:
Most hiccups resolve within 5-10 minutes without any intervention. If baby seems comfortable, you don't need to do anything at all! Watching and waiting is often the best approach.
During Hiccups:
A very hungry baby will gulp milk quickly, swallowing more air. Feed when you notice early hunger cues:
For Breastfeeding (Stanpan):
For Bottle Feeding:
| Method | Why It May Help |
|---|---|
| **Offering breast or pacifier** | Sucking may relax the diaphragm |
| **Holding upright** | Helps release trapped air |
| **Gentle back rub/pats** | Soothing and may help release air |
| **Waiting it out** | Often the best approach! |
| **Skin-to-skin** | Calms baby, regulates breathing |
| Don't Do This | Why It's Harmful |
|---|---|
| **Startling or scaring baby** | Can cause injury, doesn't work, traumatic |
| **Pressing on fontanelle (soft spot)** | Can damage brain/skull - VERY dangerous |
| **Pulling baby's tongue** | Risk of injury |
| **Covering baby's nose or mouth** | Suffocation risk |
| **Giving water to newborn** | Can affect feeding, electrolyte imbalance |
| **Giving honey** | Botulism risk under 1 year |
| **Gripe water before 6 months** | Not safe for young infants |
| **Hold breath techniques** | Impossible and dangerous for babies |
| **Any "shock" or surprise method** | Harmful and ineffective |
Important: Traditional remedies like pressing the fontanelle are DANGEROUS. Please don't follow such advice even from well-meaning elders!
A: Haan, bilkul normal hai! Newborns and young babies often hiccup several times a day - sometimes multiple episodes. It usually doesn't bother them even if it worries you. As long as baby is feeding well, gaining weight, and not distressed, frequent hiccups are nothing to worry about. They typically decrease significantly by 4-6 months and become rare by 12 months. If your baby is happy and healthy otherwise, relax!
A: Usually no! Unlike adults, babies don't seem to be bothered by hiccups. They can feed, sleep, and play right through them. Many babies sleep peacefully despite hiccupping. If your baby is crying with hiccups or seems genuinely distressed (not just fussing), that's worth mentioning to your doctor. But in most cases, babies are completely unfazed - it bothers parents more than babies!
A: If baby seems comfortable and wants to continue feeding, you can continue. Hiccups often actually resolve with feeding because sucking can help relax the diaphragm. However, if baby seems uncomfortable or the hiccups are making feeding difficult, take a break, burp baby, hold upright for a few minutes, and try again when hiccups stop.
A: We don't recommend giving gripe water or any oral remedy to babies under 6 months. There's no scientific evidence that gripe water helps with hiccups, and it can interfere with breastfeeding and potentially cause other issues. For most hiccups, no treatment is needed - they stop on their own. If baby is over 6 months and you want to try gripe water for occasional use, ask your pediatrician first about a safe brand.
A: Each hiccup episode usually lasts 5-10 minutes, sometimes up to 20-30 minutes. This is normal. Hiccups become less frequent as babies grow, usually decreasing significantly by 4-6 months and becoming rare by 12 months. Contact your doctor if: hiccups are lasting several hours, happening constantly throughout the day every day, baby seems distressed, or they're interfering with feeding/sleep regularly. Also mention if hiccups continue to be very frequent after 12 months.
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This article was reviewed by a pediatrician. Baby hiccups are one of the most common parental concerns but are rarely anything to worry about. Trust that your baby is usually just fine - and avoid those dangerous home remedies!
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