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How to Burp Your Baby: Basics, Tips and Positions

August 8, 2024

Motherhood is a phase where you may go through a lot of emotions. You need to know what you must do to keep your baby comfortable. Feeding your baby can be a difficult task in the first few months. There are certain things you must follow before and after feeding your baby. Your baby needs to burp after every feed to ensure comfort. When sucking milk, there are chances for bubbles to enter into the stomach of your baby. This is a crucial feeding step that every parent must be aware of as it avoids several stomach discomforts in babies. Read to know the basics of burping and baby burping positions to make your baby comfortable after every feed.

Book an online appointment with Dr. Sumana Shivanand for Pediatric related issues.

What is Burping?

Burping is the body’s natural way of releasing excess air, which babies might swallow during bottle feeding or breastfeeding. You must hold your baby in the correct position and help them burp after every feed.

Why You Must Burp Your Baby?

Burping after every feeding is important as the air swallowed during feeding gets trapped in the stomach, making your baby uncomfortable. If not burped, your baby might feel full and stop the feed. Swallowing of air during bottle feeding is more as the baby tries to suck milk faster from a bottle than from the breast. But make sure you burp your baby after bottle feeding or breastfeeding.

Oversupply of milk or hunger can make your baby suck milk faster, resulting in air entering their tummy causing  discomfort. If you do not burp your baby properly after every feed, your baby may resist feeding or remain fussy and cranky throughout the day. When you do not burp your baby, there are chances that your baby will spit up milk after feeding Newborn burping is vital to make your baby comfortable after feeding milk.

When You Must Burp Your Baby?

You must be aware of when to burp your baby. Burping must be a regular activity that involves feeding your baby. It is necessary to burp your baby while and after feeding. You must burp your baby even when they are not fussy, as you’re unaware of how much air enters their tummy during feeding.

If you’re a breastfeeding mom, try burping your baby before switching to  other breast . When your baby is bottle-fed, burp it after every 2-3 ounces. Burp your baby after they finish their feed. Burping must be practised until your newborn is six months old.

Some babies need more burping, while others may require it only after feeding. Figure out what works for your baby, and do not disrupt their feeds without the need for burping. Burping frequently can make your baby hungry and frustrated, resulting in an increase in air entering their stomach.

Positions for Burping Your Baby

As a new mom, you may be unaware of how to burp your baby. Check out burping positions and newborn burping techniques to help you burp your baby. Here are the three common burping positions. Try these and pick the one that works for your baby. Use a bib cloth near your baby’s mouth to wipe off spit during burping.

Burping on Your Shoulders: This is the most common burping position for newborns. Place your baby on your shoulder, holding on to the bottom to ensure support. Your baby will face your shoulder in this position and allow their chin to rest on your shoulder. Use your fingertips to rub your baby on the shoulder blade. Allow your baby to burp by gently patting on the back for a minute.  

Burping on Your Lap: This is also a well-known baby burping position. Keep your baby on your lap, making them sit sideways. Check if the chest is leaning forward. Now, hold your baby’s chin. Pat on their shoulder blades to release air from their body.

Burping Face Down on Your Lap: Place your baby on your knees and make them lie on their belly. Hold their head high, now pat on their back.

● You must always be patient when burping your baby. It may take your baby a few minutes to burp.

● If your baby does not burp, make them lie on your lap and try burping after a minute. You can also try changing the burping position.

● You can also burp a sleeping baby in any of the above burping positions.

Alternative Ways to Release Gas in Your Baby

There are chances when your baby is fussy even after burping. This can be due to gas getting stuck up in their tummy. You must look for alternative ways to release gas in your baby. However, if the baby is crying continuously, it is better to consult a paediatrician. Some different ways to release gas in your baby are:

Massage Your Baby:  Infant massage helps release gas in babies. Massage your baby with ample pressure on the stomach to release gas.

Bicycling: This activity effectively releases gas in newborns. Push your baby's legs and hands front and back.

Sleeping on Stomach: Allow your baby to lie on the stomach under supervision this helps move the gas stuck inside the tummy.

Adjusting your milk flow: Make sure you choose the right nipple for your baby so the flow is not too fast.

Conclusion

It is true that new mothers find it overwhelming to make their babies feel comfortable after feedings. Burping is a regular after-feed activity to release the gas swallowed during feedings. Choose a perfect burping position that works for your baby and get rid of stomach discomforts caused by gas in the tummy.

FAQs:

1. What is the best position to burp a baby?

Burping the baby on your shoulders is the best way to help your baby burp better. Gently pat on the baby’s back by placing the baby on your shoulder to release the burp.

2. How to make a baby burp fast?

To make your baby burp fast, you can place your baby facing your chest with the baby’s chin on your shoulder. Now, gently pat the baby on the back. You can also try this in a rocking chair to burp fast.

3. How do you do the burp trick?

Certain tricks work when you try to burp your baby. Make sure you choose the proper burping position. Try changing the position if your baby does not burp.

4. What is the best position to burp yourself?

You can burp yourself by moving around or engaging in any physical activity. Tightening your abdominal muscles also helps. With your knees curled, lie on your stomach and stretch your arms.

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