Does Your Baby Crying When Burping Them? Here's What to Do (2024)

Perhaps nothing is more distressing than a crying baby, especially if you don't know what's going on. From exhaustion and discomfort to hunger and tiredness, there are numerous reasons infants shed tears—but why do babies cry when burping? Here, we break down some potential causes, and we also share tips to prevent the fussiness altogether.

Reasons Your Baby Might Cry When Burping

Burping your baby is often a key part of the feeding process; you might do it when switching breasts, after several ounces of formula, or when they're done eating. If they're shedding tears while burping, they might be communicating hunger, especially if you stopped feeding to burp them. That said, other issues could also be at play. Here are a few reasons why your baby might cry when burping.

Trapped gas

Whether your baby is breastfed or bottle-fed, they'll inevitably swallow some air along with their milk or formula. When too much air becomes trapped in their stomach, it can lead to gassy discomfort, causing your baby to cry and possibly even pull their legs up.

Burping helps your baby release air that's trapped in their stomach and makes them more comfortable during and after feeding. It also may reduce the amount of spit-up you have to deal with, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Colic

Some babies develop colic and tend to go through long periods of crying every day, which often corresponds with feeding. Colicky babies typically cry more than three hours per day for at least three days per week. Colic generally starts around 2 weeks of age and will peak at about 6 weeks. By the time your baby is 4 months old, these colicky episodes should have subsided.

If you suspect that your newborn may have colic, it's important to have them evaluated by their pediatrician. Other potential causes for the excessive crying will need to be ruled out before colic can be diagnosed.

If your pediatrician diagnoses colic, rely on the help of others to get through this trying time. Typically, babies with colic will cry in the evenings, so ask friends, family members, or your partner to help you. Perhaps you can take turns comforting the baby so that you don't become mentally drained or frustrated. And remind yourself that colic is usually short-lived. By the time your baby is 4 months old, the colic will likely be gone.

Acid reflux

If your baby tends to be fussy after eating, or if they spit up quite a bit, they could have gastroesophageal reflux (GER) or acid reflux. This condition occurs in about two-thirds of babies and is usually not a cause for concern, though it may make your baby a little fussier than normal when they eat.

Typically, acid reflux shows up by the time your baby is 2 to 3 weeks old and will peak around 4 or 5 months of age. But as your baby matures, learns to hold their head up, and begins to sit up, this condition will likely resolve. By the time they reach their first birthday, acid reflux may no longer be an issue.

In the meantime, you can help alleviate some of their fussiness by keeping them upright for at least 30 minutes after a feeding. You also should avoid active play like bouncing them or putting them in a swing until their stomach contents have had time to settle.

Food sensitivities or allergies

Some babies, particularly those who are breastfed, will cry after eating due to food sensitivities. For instance, you may notice that your baby tends to be fussy if you have caffeine or if you eat spicy or gassy foods like broccoli or cabbage. You can try temporarily eliminating these foods from your diet or avoiding them just before you nurse.

In rare cases, formula-fed and breastfed babies might be sensitive to—or even allergic to—cow's milk protein. This type of allergy occurs in about 3% of infants. In addition to crying after feeding, they might develop a rash, vomit, or have diarrhea.

If you notice any of these symptoms, or if you just suspect a milk allergy, it's important to talk to your child's pediatrician. Usually, this situation can be easily addressed by eliminating dairy from your diet if you're breastfeeding or switching to a plant-based formula if you're formula-feeding.

How Often Should You Burp Your Baby?

It's helpful to burp your baby several times while they're feeding. You might start by burping them every time they consume a couple of ounces, every five minutes, or when you switch breasts. By burping them periodically, there will be less air trapped in their stomach, and releasing smaller amounts of air won't be as uncomfortable as releasing a larger amount.

That said, even with burping, some babies still take in a lot of air while they're nursing or bottle-feeding. You can reduce the amount of air your baby takes in by feeding them in a more upright position rather than allowing them to lie flat on their back.

If you're breastfeeding, ensuring your baby is latched on tightly can minimize how much air they swallow. If you're bottle-feeding, choose a nipple that has the appropriate flow rate for your baby's age and development. This means paying attention to the size and number of holes at the tip of the nipple. If the flow is too fast, your baby may need to take big gulps and swallow a lot of air in the process.

A nipple that has a too-slow flow rate, on the other hand, can also lead to swallowing air. Nipples come in several shapes and sizes, and you might have more luck with some types than others. Experiment with different nipples until you find one that works. Expect to change the nipple type as your baby grows and becomes a more skilled and mature feeder.

The good news, though, is that you don't need to burp your baby indefinitely. Soon, they'll be able to release trapped air without much help from you and won't need to be burped. In the meantime, if your baby continues to show signs of discomfort after eating, discuss their symptoms with your pediatrician.

Best Positions for Burping Your Baby

There are lots of good burping positions, and one of them might work better than others for you and your baby. In any position, it's helpful to apply gentle pressure to your baby's tummy while gently rubbing or patting their back. Here are three burping positions that might be particularly effective for your little one.

On your shoulder

Hold your baby against your shoulder, with their buttocks facing away from you. Support their bottom with one hand and rub or pat their back with the other hand.

Sitting up

Hold your baby in a sitting position, so that they're leaning slightly forward on your lap. Place the heel of your hand against their tummy, and support their chin with your fingers or the top of the same hand.

As you lean your baby forward, apply gentle pressure to their tummy with the heel of your hand to help the trapped air move up and out of their stomach while you gently rub or pat the baby's back with the other hand.

Face down on your lap

Place your baby—tummy down—over your thigh so that it presses gently against their tummy. Support your baby's head with one hand so that it stays slightly higher than their body while you gently rub or pat their back with the other hand.

When to Contact a Health Care Provider

If your baby is crying inconsolably and you can't figure out why, it never hurts to contact your baby's pediatrician about your concerns. They can evaluate your little one and try to assess what may be the issue.

You also should contact a health care provider if your baby isn't feeding well, has a fever, or is spitting up a lot or vomiting. Other issues of concern include changes in their stool or the number of wet diapers they have.