5 Gentle Ways to Soothe Your Baby During Hiccups

November 25, 2025

Those adorable "hic...hic...hic" sounds can melt your heart, but sometimes, baby hiccups seem persistent or even a little uncomfortable for your little one. While most baby hiccups are completely harmless and resolve on their own, every parent wants to offer comfort when their baby seems even slightly bothered. The good news is, you don't need drastic measures. Gentle, loving interventions are usually all it takes to help soothe your baby and ease those diaphragm spasms.

As Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, a renowned pediatrician, emphasized, "Babies are always communicating. Our job is to listen with all our senses." When it comes to hiccups, listening means observing if they're truly bothered and then responding with gentle care.

Here are 5 gentle ways to soothe your baby during hiccups:

1. Offer a Feed (Breast or Bottle)

One of the simplest and most effective ways to soothe hiccups, especially for newborns and younger infants, is to offer a small feed. A few sips of breast milk or formula can work wonders. The act of sucking and swallowing helps to relax the diaphragm and regulate breathing, often stopping the hiccup cycle.

Why it works: The rhythmic sucking motion can help reset the diaphragm's rhythm.
How to do it: If your baby is due for a feed, go ahead and offer it. If not, just a short feeding session or even a few sips might be enough. For breastfed babies, a short latch can be very effective. For bottle-fed babies, ensure the nipple flow isn't too fast, which could introduce more air.

2. Encourage a Burp

Hiccups are often triggered by trapped air in your baby's stomach, which can put pressure on the diaphragm. Encouraging a good burp can release this air and bring sweet relief.

Why it works: Releasing gas alleviates pressure on the diaphragm, which is a common cause of hiccups.
How to do it: Gently hold your baby upright against your shoulder, supporting their head and neck, and gently pat or rub their back. You can also sit them on your lap, supporting their chest and head, and lean them slightly forward while rubbing their back. Be patient; sometimes it takes a minute or two for a burp to emerge.

3. Change Feeding Position & Pace

If your baby frequently gets hiccups during or shortly after feeding, adjusting their position and the pace of feeding can make a big difference.

Why it works: A more upright feeding position helps gravity keep milk down and air up, reducing the amount of air swallowed. A slower pace prevents gulping.
How to do it:

Breastfeeding: Ensure a good latch to minimize air intake. Try feeding in a more upright position.
Bottle Feeding: Hold your baby in a more upright, semi-seated position. Tilt the bottle so the nipple is always full of milk, preventing air bubbles. Consider using a slower-flow nipple if your baby tends to gulp. Take frequent breaks to burp them.

4. Provide Gentle Distraction or Soothing

Sometimes, a change in focus or a calming presence is all a baby needs for hiccups to subside. This method is particularly useful for older babies who might be more aware of the sensation.

Why it works: Distraction can help the baby relax and forget about the sensation, allowing the diaphragm to normalize. Soothing can calm their overall system.
How to do it:

For Younger Babies: Offer a pacifier. The sucking motion can have a similar relaxing effect to feeding. Gently sway or rock them.
For Older Babies: Talk softly, sing a lullaby, or offer a favorite toy to distract them. A gentle tummy rub can also be soothing.

5. Allow for "Diaper-Free" or Upright Play Time

After a feed, especially if your baby is prone to reflux, laying them flat immediately can sometimes trigger hiccups or bring up milk. Keeping them upright for a bit can help.

Why it works: Gravity is your friend. Keeping your baby upright helps settle their stomach contents and reduces pressure on the diaphragm.
How to do it: After feeding, hold your baby upright for 15-20 minutes. This could be over your shoulder, sitting on your lap, or even just in a bouncy seat (if they are old enough and supervised) or on a playmat for some gentle tummy time, ensuring their head is slightly elevated.

When to Consult Your Pediatrician

While hiccups are almost always benign, trust your parental instincts. If hiccups are:

Persistent and prolonged: Lasting for hours daily, or interfering significantly with feeding or sleep.
Accompanied by distress: Your baby seems in pain, arches their back, cries excessively, or gags frequently.
Part of a pattern: Combined with forceful spitting up, choking, or consistent fussiness after feeds.

These could be signs of more pronounced gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) or another underlying issue, and a chat with your pediatrician would be advisable. For most babies, however, these gentle soothing methods will have those adorable hiccups disappearing in no time, letting you get back to enjoying your little one's sweet calm.

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