How to Get Rid of Baby Hiccups? A Mom’s Guide

No parent ever wants to hear the sound of their baby hiccupping, especially when their child can’t stop it. Hiccups in babies are generally harmless, but they can be frightening, particularly if your baby hasn’t had them before and doesn’t know what’s going on or how to get rid of them. The good news is that there are a few things you can do to help your baby stop hiccupping. Here are some of the most effective ways to get rid of baby hiccups.

Use Aromatherapy

Many hospitals use essential oils for a variety of purposes and you can use some natural remedies at home as well. Before taking action, talk to your baby’s pediatrician about which essential oils are safe for your baby and make sure that you dilute them before applying them directly onto skin. Several studies have found that using diluted lemon oil on babies suffering from hiccups has been very effective in eliminating them (6). Furthermore, peppermint oil is also reported to be effective against infantile colic (7). Place 2-3 drops on a cotton ball or tissue and gently rub on your baby’s abdomen. If you are not comfortable with these options, there are several homeopathic remedies like tablets and capsules.

Burp The Baby

Babies get hiccups more than anyone else. This is especially true for first time parents who probably don’t know what it’s like to be hit with an attack at any given moment. When a baby gets hiccups, it may seem like they have been there forever, but there are things you can do help them pass quickly so your little one can get back to eating or sleeping. There are also simple ways you can prevent them from happening in general. If your baby does begin getting hiccups, read on for some easy steps you can take.

Ensure Proper Positioning

A good way to help a baby stop hiccupping is making sure that they are positioned in a way that doesn’t make them swallow air. The right positioning will also keep them comfortable, which can sometimes help with stopping hiccups. When they’re first born, babies should be swaddled. Afterward, you can place them on their back (or side) in a crib or bassinet and make sure there aren’t any loose blankets or items near their face that could pose a danger for suffocation. If your baby is eating solids, ensure that they aren’t eating too quickly or too much at once.

Suck Down Some Formula

Before calling your doctor or heading for your medicine cabinet, try burping your baby. It may seem odd, but babies often get over stimulate and start hiccupping when a breast or bottle is remove from their mouth before they're finish nursing or eating. Holding them upright and gently prying open their mouths can help remove excess air that might be triggering these spasms. Sucking on a pacifier, particularly one filled with formula, will also quiet your baby fairly quickly. If you've tried these techniques but are still having trouble calming your baby down (or if it's past bedtime), don't wait until morning to call your doctor—the condition can often become worse over time, especially if there's an underlying medical issue at play.

Increase Hunger, Decrease Fullness Levels

Feeding your baby on demand is a good idea, but you have to make sure that you keep them from eating too much at once. Feeding your baby small portions throughout the day will help ensure they’re not getting too full at any given moment—which can mean more hiccups. It’s also important to not overfeed your baby with liquids. While water may quell some hiccups, babies are more likely to develop hiccups when they eat or drink something other than breast milk or formula; give them a little break between meals and drinks instead. If that doesn’t work, try burping them before feeding again (see #1). It sounds silly, but it works.

Try Giving Water Instead Of Formula

Although it's normal for a baby to have hiccups, it can be an irritating condition. One way of getting rid of hiccups is by giving your baby water. Instead of feeding your baby formula or breast milk when he has hiccups, try feeding him just water. Water helps eliminate gas from your baby's stomach, thus preventing another bout of hiccups in no time at all. The best part about giving water is that you can continue to feed and nourish your infant while also making sure his gas problem is resolve. If you want to get rid of those annoying baby hiccups once and for all, try giving them a drink with a straw; let him take sips until he's comfortable again!

Let them Crawl Around A Bit

The easiest way to get rid of baby hiccups is by letting your baby crawl around a bit. When babies crawl or walk, they naturally stretch out their stomach muscles and release trapped air—often relieving baby hiccups right away. If your baby doesn’t like crawling on his hands and knees, you can roll him onto his stomach while he’s lying on a soft mat (don’t worry—this won’t hurt him). Another trick is to lie him on his side with one hand in front of his mouth and throat and pull gently toward you so that he stretches out both back and abdominal muscles at once. Babies will often yawn as well when they do these stretches, which also helps relieve hiccups.