While it might not be the most glamorous of tasks, burping your baby is important for his or her comfort. When babies are feeding, they take in air, which can build up and make them uncomfortable, causing you to find yourself with a fussy, squirmy child.
When to Burp Your Baby
How much a baby needs to burp will vary from baby to baby. If you're burping a newborn after breastfeeding, the baby will typicallyburp less becausethey swallow less air.Most babies will outgrow the need to be burped by 4-6 months of age.
You can often tell that a baby needs to be burped if he or she is squirmy or pulling away while being fed. This being said, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that parents try to burp their baby:
- When a nursing mother switches breasts or
- Every 2-3 oz. if being bottle-fed (60 – 90 mL)
Pausing to burp frequently slows feeding and reduces air intake. However, if your baby has not successfully burped after a few minutes of trying, switch methods or give up and continue with the feeding. It is possible that your baby doesn’t actually have to burp. The best method for burping will generally differ for babies and parents – use the method that works best for you.
Burping Methods
There are three popular methods for burping newborns and babies. All will require a burping cloth to protect from spit up or wet burps and a gentle patting motion across a baby’s back to coax out the burp. The main difference is how the baby is held. Take care to support the baby’s head and neck safely and move the baby slowly and gently.
- Leaning
- Place a burping cloth or towel on your shoulder and/or back.
- Rest your baby’s chin or belly on your shoulder. (If opting for the belly, make sure that your baby can breathe easily. Parents may benefit from trying this option after their baby has better head/neck control.)
- Support and hold your baby in place with one hand, while using the other to gently pat your baby on the back.
- Sitting
- Place a burping cloth or towel across your lap and put a bib on your baby.
- Using your palm to support your baby’s chest and your fingers to support his or her jaw (not throat), place your baby sitting on your lap, facing away from you.
- With your free hand, gently pat your baby on the back.
- Laying
- Place a burping cloth or towel across your lap.
- Lay your baby across your knees, perpendicular to your body.
- Use one hand to support your baby’s head so that it is higher than the chest. This will prevent blood from rushing to the head.
- With your free hand, gently pat your baby on the back.
More information about feeding and burping your newborn:
When to be Concerned About Spit Up
Feeding Your Newborn
Is My Baby Eating Enough?
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Burping Your Baby
Alexis L.. Sawyer, Boys Town Pediatrics
Burping is mostly a comfort issue for your newborn or your baby. When excess gas or air builds up in their stomach, they can be very uncomfortable. They can cry more. They can also have more reflux or spitting up, because that air takes up space and they don't have quite as much space for that milk to sit in the stomach.
We recommend if you're breastfeeding to burp in between breasts when you are offering them breasts for breastfeeding. If you are bottle feeding actually about every one to two ounces is appropriate.
There are multiple different ways to burp a baby but the most important thing to keep in mind is you need to make sure you're supporting their head and neck when you're burping the baby. Often times you'll see classically people burping their babies over the shoulder which is perfectly fine. Put a burp rag over the shoulder, you kind of sling the baby over the shoulder but make sure that the head isn't hanging over the shoulder too far, and then patting until you feel or hear the release of gas and a burp.
Another nice way to do it is in your lap with your baby sitting in your lap. You also once again need to support them usually around the jaw area to help keep their head up and not slumped over. You can sit them sideways and pat them on the back and it's a good way of being able to visualize your baby's face and whether or not they are spitting out what they are burping.
You don't have to pat hard. Sometimes people just actually rub the back. That works as well so gently pat. Patting or rubbing oftentimes will get the result that you want.
Every baby is a little different, if they are still fussy after feeding after six months then I'd probably continue on with the burping but once babies get to hold themselves up right a little bit more than they are more likely to be able to relieve that gas on their own because they are able to move around more independently and then movement and being upright helps them release that gas.
Newborn Pediatrics;Lactation Consultation
FAQs
There are no rules on when you should burp your baby, some babies need burping during their feed, some after. Look for clues – if your baby seems uncomfortable while feeding, have a little burping break. If they seem fine while feeding, wait until they've finished. Your baby will let you know!
How many burps should a baby have after feeding? ›
Try burping your baby every 2 to 3 ounces (60 to 90 milliliters) if you bottle-feed and each time you switch breasts if you breastfeed. Try burping your baby every ounce during bottle-feeding or every 5 minutes during breastfeeding if your baby: tends to be gassy. spits a lot.
Is one burp enough when winding? ›
The point is to get the air out that the infant sucks into the stomach while feeding. Any burp is enough. It can be one big one, a few small ones.
What if my baby won't burp for 20 minutes? ›
If you've tried for a few minutes and your baby won't burp, it's ok to stop burping as long as they seem comfortable. However, if your baby shows signs of gas pains (fussing, crying out, or bringing knees to chest) or frequently spits up, keep trying for another few minutes to get that burp out.
At what point do babies no longer need to be burped? ›
Most babies will outgrow the need to be burped by 4-6 months of age. You can often tell that a baby needs to be burped if he or she is squirmy or pulling away while being fed.
Does spit up count as a burp? ›
Spit-up is what happens when the contents of your baby's tummy come back up easily – not forcefully – through their mouth. It often comes along with a burp. It's not the same as vomiting, which is when your baby throws up their stomach contents with force and muscle contractions.
Is it okay to put baby to sleep without burping? ›
Some babies may be more prone to gas and discomfort if they go to sleep without being burped, while others may not have any issues. However, if a baby is already asleep and showing no signs of discomfort, it is generally safe to let them sleep without burping.
Do babies burp because they are full? ›
Babies usually need to burp when they take in air while eating, which makes them feel full too fast. "This happens more often with bottle-fed babies, who tend to eat faster," says Erika Landau, M.D., a pediatrician in New York City and co-author of The Essential Guide to Baby's First Year.
When can you stop worrying about SIDS? ›
After 6-months old, babies are typically able to lift their heads, roll over, or wake up more easily, and the risk of SIDS decreases dramatically. However, 10% of SIDS happens between 6 and 12 months of age and safe sleep recommendations should be followed up to a baby first birthday.
Can a baby choke if not burped? ›
Risk of choking on spit-up is very rare. It's still important not to overfeed your baby and to try to burp them after every feeding if they seem to benefit from it.
If the baby does not burp after 5 minutes of trying, gently lie them down on their back, either in their crib or on another safe surface, such as a playpen. After a few minutes, carefully pick the baby up and try burping them again. Sometimes, lying down helps move the air bubbles around, making them easier to release.
What happens if you don't burp a baby enough? ›
Maybe you're worried that not burping babies will cause them to spit up more. That's actually been studied! A study of 71 mother-baby duos found that burping babies did not reduce the rates of colic but did increase the rates of regurgitation or spit-up compared to not burping babies.
How many burps should a baby do after feeding? ›
This air can leave your little one feeling gassy and uncomfortable if it doesn't find its way out. It's recommended that newborn babies be burped between breasts if breastfeeding and every 2 to 3 ounces if bottle feeding.
What to do when a burp won't come out? ›
Breathe while sitting straight up to help increase the chances of a burp. Get air into your throat by sucking in air through your mouth until you feel an air bubble in your throat, and then block the front of your mouth with your tongue so you can release the air slowly. This should trigger a burp.
Does burp after feed means baby is full? ›
Sometimes we think our babies are full but really what they need is a good burp! Once they've got rid of this wind they are able to finish their feed. Good, full feeds will sustain your little one for longer, meaning they are more likely to sleep well and you are more likely to get a break!
Do babies cry when they need to burp? ›
Your baby may stop feeding, squirm, fidget or fuss during or after feeding if she needs to burp. Contrary to popular belief babies generally do not cry because they need to burp (but they do cry for many other reasons). Swallowed air in a baby's tummy may provide a sensation of fullness, but it does not cause pain.
