All About Burping Your Baby: How, Why & When

Burping babies has been a go-to punchline for TV and movie sitcoms for about as long as there have been sitcoms. While it plays well on the big screen, it is anything but a silly joke played for laughs. When your baby feeds, especially from a bottle, air bubbles and pressure can build up in their stomach which leads to discomfort and a whole host of other issues, especially in the earliest days and months when their little digestive tracts haven’t fully matured yet. 

Burping helps to:

• Relieve gas pressure
• Prevent spitting up
• Reduce fussiness and crying
• Promote better sleep post-feeding

Some babies need to burp more than others, especially if they:

• Feed quickly
• Have a strong latch or gulp a lot of air
• Are using bottles (which may introduce more air than breastfeeding)

When Should You Burp Your Baby?

You should burp your baby typically with every feeding, but there is a bit of method to that madness. 

• If your baby is bottle fed: burp them more frequently, typically half way and at the end
• If your baby is breast fed: burp when switching breasts and at the end, as well as any time you feel a natural pause or like your baby needs assistance in relieving air 
• Bonus tip: often babies (especially very young newborns) forget to breathe and can gulp or cough while feeding which causes air to be swallowed. Burp anytime you think that your baby is being extra fussy during a feeding. That could be a sign of trapped air.

Three Good Positions For Burping Your Baby You Can Try

Since every baby is different, there is no best single way that you can or should burp your baby. Try several different techniques and see which is right for you and your situation. You may even have to try a variation on some common techniques to get something that fits their needs. The most important thing is to not give up! Keep trying until you get it just right.

• • • This is probably the most common one, but it isn’t necessarily a catch-all. Hold them upright facing your shoulder with their chin resting on your shoulder for support. Angle them so that their belly is pressing against your body slightly. Pat them on the back, specifically the lower back to help push the air up and out.

• Sitting You Your Lap Or Knees

• • • This is probably the easiest one to pull off, but it takes some practice to get it right. Sit your baby upright and make sure their head is supported. Gently lean them forward to apply pressure to their belly and then give them a few gentle pats on the back to help the burp out. Sometimes, you can just sit them on your lap for a few minutes letting them be upright and the burp will just come naturally. Your mileage may vary.

• • This one is the most technically difficult to pull off, but it can yield the best results. Lay your baby face down on your lap and support their head and make sure they have plenty of room to get air into their nose or mouth. Gently rub or pat their back as their belly presses into your thigh. The gas should bubble up and come out pretty quickly!

Before You Go

We hope these burping tips help make feeding time a little smoother and more comfortable for both you and your baby. If your little one is still fussy after feeds, struggling to settle, or having trouble sleeping, we’re here to support you.

From sleep consulting to in-home sleep training and overnight newborn care or in-home newborn care services, we offer personalized guidance to help your little one (and you!) get the rest you need.

Have questions? Let’s Chat — we’d love to help your family rest easier.

 

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Katie B.

Expertise You Need:

• Certified Master Pediatric Sleep Consultant
• Certified Advanced Newborn Care Specialist (2016-2022)
• Board Certified Holistic Healthcare Practitioner
• 16 years professional childcare experience
• Certified Postpartum Doula (2015-2022)
• Travel & ROTA Nanny

 

The content contained in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace the advice of any medical professional. It is based on our opinions and experience working with newborns and their families. Other’s opinions may vary. It does not represent the views of any affiliated organizations. The reader understands that the term “Babynurse” is often a word used to describe a newborn caregiver. However, unless otherwise disclosed, we are not licensed nurses in any state. By reading and/or utilizing any information or suggestions contained in this blog, the reader acknowledges that we are not medical professionals and agrees to and waives any claim, known or unknown, past, present or future. This blog may contain affiliate links.

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