Don’t forget your muslin cloth! Your baby may very well burp and bring up a little or a lot of milk. Although some babies won’t bring anything up at all.
Why do babies need to burp? Babies swallow air while both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. The trapped gas can become stuck in their little tummies and may cause discomfort, and quite an earful for you.
The best time to burp your baby is in the middle of their feed or just after. If your baby falls asleep during their feed, or after, and you didn’t get the chance to burp them, don’t worry. Not all babies need to burp before falling asleep.
Burping a breastfed baby isn’t always necessary after every feed, as these babies tend to swallow less air than bottle-fed babies. You will know if they need burping because there may be a lot of squirming and fussing going on.
To help your baby bring up trapped wind, gently rub, pat or massage their back until you hear a burp and they’re comfortable again.
You will probably try a few different ways to see which one your baby likes best. Here are some baby burping positions that may help:
Hold your baby upright against your shoulder with one hand under their bottom. Gently pat their back with your free hand.
Place your baby face-down across your lap, with their tummy on one of your legs and their head on the other, turned sideways. With one hand securely holding your baby, gently pat or rub their back with the other.
Sit your baby forward on your lap, with one hand spread over their chest while supporting your baby’s chin between your thumb and forefinger. Gently pat their back with your other hand.
Once you find the easiest way for your baby to burp, it will usually only take a few minutes. Afterwards, try to keep them upright for a while, especially if they are prone to reflux.
Once your baby is a little older and has better head control, another way to burp them is by holding them upright in front of you, facing out, while you take a little stroll. Make sure you have one hand under their bottom and the other arm supporting them securely. The gentle motion of walking may help them burp.
As babies grow and develop better head and body control, they may become better at bringing up swallowed air on their own. Every baby is different, so there isn’t one exact age when you need to stop burping them.
Burping is a normal part of feeding babies, and you will soon find what works for you and your baby. But if your baby shows signs of discomfort after feeding, is persistently unsettled, or you are concerned about their feeding, speak to a doctor or healthcare professional for advice.
For more guidance and tips, explore the Karihome blog.
