As a first-time mom, I never fully realized the importance of burping a baby until my little one screamed in pain. Babies have small bellies and when they eat they tend to swallow a lot of air, making them uncomfortably full.
Knowing how to burp a baby is essential to curb a possible stomach pain.
Burping a frail child is scary for first-time parents. You need to position them correctly to support their head, but you also know where to stroke them to release the air. Don't worry - we're here with some pointers, helpful tips and tricks.
Tips for Successful Burping
Before you start burping your baby, we have some tips you can follow. These are:
Bring a cloth: Belching can lead to spitting, which can ruin your clothes. Always keep a burp cloth between you and your baby. It's also a good idea to bring extra clean milk that could be taken back.
Focus on the left side: When you erupt, focus your actions on the left center of the back. Your little one's belly is around this area, so you'll have a better chance of releasing the burp.
Be more firm - it will depend on your baby. Some babies burp easily, while others require a firmer hand.
How to Burp a Baby
1. Place Your Cloth
This method is simple, but you need to be especially careful when dealing with newborns. Place a cloth on the shoulder you intend to use. Make sure it protects your back too.
2. Place Baby
Then gently place your baby against your chest, resting his chin on your shoulder. If your baby is small, you can put it lower on the chest for better support. This position may not be as successful, but it's a great way to start if you're feeling apprehensive.
3. Release the Burp
Use one hand to support them, while with the other you rub them gently or stroke their back.
Over 6 months
1. Place the Cloth
Put the burp cloth on your lap. Try to position it so that it hangs a bit on the side of the leg. Put one on the floor if you have rugs to protect.
2. Position Your Baby
Gently lay your baby face down on your lap, like a tray, aligned with your body.
Use your hand to turn your baby's head to the side so that it rests against your leg.
If your baby is over 6 months, you can place him a little further out on his lap. This way, you will apply gentle pressure to the stomach, which may help them burp.
In practice, most babies over 6 months of age no longer need to belch. They seem to do it on their own with the baby's normal activity and movement (i.e. roll over, attempt to sit up, tummy time).
3. Pat Their Back
Pat or massage your baby's back until he burps.
Walking
Once your baby has better head control, this is an alternative method you can try. Carry your baby by holding him in front of you, facing out, on his tummy. Their back will be against your stomach.
Put one hand under your butt, with the other on your stomach.
The arm on the belly will work to apply gentle pressure, helping to release the burp. Walk around the room in smooth, relaxing movements to release the burp.
On Your Lap
1. Prep with Cloth or Bib
Depending on what you prefer, put a cloth on your lap, or a bib on your baby or both. This way you are ready to pick up any jumps.
2. Sit Your Baby Up
Place your baby sitting on your lap, facing away from you or to the side. Place one hand so that it supports their body, with the palm of the hand on the chest and the fingers holding the jaw and chin. Make sure your fingers aren't around or pressing on your baby's throat.
3. Burp Your Baby
Once the baby and hand are in place, try to lean them forward slightly. Rub or pat your back with your other hand and wait for the burp.
How to Burp a Sleeping Baby
Children often doze off while they eat. Whether they are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, sucking motions while filling the tummy is the best recipe for a baby's sleep. It is especially common during the night as their body is already telling them to sleep.
However, even if your baby has fallen asleep, it is essential for some to burp him before laying him down. Burping your sleeping baby is not much different than burping him while he is awake. The hard part, however, isn't waking them up - you have to be slow and very kind.
Some positions are not ideal for belching a sleeping baby. It is likely that you will wake them up by sitting them upright on your lap.
The best positions when your little one is sleeping are on your chest or resting them on your forearm. By placing them on your chest, your baby will continue to be soothed by staying close to your heart while you can rub their back to release the burp. If you are sitting in a chair while breastfeeding, you can try the face-down method, but it may be difficult to put them back in place.
Why Burping Is Important
Burping your baby is one of the essential parts of early childhood. Young children are not yet self-sufficient, like older children and adults. They don't have the same control over their bodies and need help releasing gas.
When your baby eats, it is normal for him to swallow a significant amount of air. The air then travels to the stomach where it creates air bubbles, filling your baby's belly. These air bubbles are likely to make your baby uncomfortable and give a feeling of fullness without finishing the meal.
Since your baby is still hungry but feels uncomfortably full, he can become fussy and even irritable. This is why belching is an essential part of the meal with children.
It is not necessary to burp frequently with all children. Some are okay with a little bit of belching once every meal. Others may request it after and during each meal - you'll soon find out what's best for your baby.
How Often Should Your Baby Burp?
The amount of belching a baby needs depends mainly on whether he is bottle feeding or breastfeeding. While breastfeeding, try to burp your baby every time you change breasts. If your baby has ingested excess air, he or she will likely refuse to continue breastfeeding.
Burping while changing breasts will allow your baby to complete the meal without feeling uncomfortable. So once you're done, burp them again. If your newborn is handling only one breast, stop feeding halfway to burp.
With bottle-fed babies, whether on breast milk or formula, try to burp them at least once per feed - do this about halfway through the feed. If your baby gets fussy or takes longer to finish, try burping him more.
Infants who take formula milk tend to be more gaseous than those who are breastfed. It is unclear whether this is due to the increased amount of air ingested during feedings or to a component of the formula itself.
How Long Does Burping Take?
It depends on your baby and burp, but it will usually take a minute or two. You may see that sometimes, the burp will come out as soon as you sit the baby down. Other times, you need more patience and a firmer hand to rub or stroke your back.
If your baby often shows signs of stiffness and seems uncomfortable, see your pediatrician. They may have excessive amounts of gas and require additional help to relieve it.
It is not unusual for children with bad reflux, called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), to refuse to sleep for up to 30 minutes after a meal. This is different from normal "spitting" in which the child is happy. Painful acid reflux can be frustrating if your baby is fidgeting with fatigue. If you believe your baby has symptoms of GERD, consult your pediatrician.
What If Your Baby Doesn’t Burp?
There can often be no burp to release. Some babies don't ingest much air, while others will release the gas by making a bowel movement quickly after a feed. A normal amount of time to try to burp is 10-15 minutes. As long as your little one is happy and content, don't worry if the burp doesn't come out.
If your baby has colic, you may feel uncomfortable if he doesn't burp. But at least one study has shown that belching doesn't necessarily improve colic. If they are struggling, ask your doctor for other remedies - they may recommend gas drops or disturbing water.
Colic, while difficult for parents, tends to resolve around the 3-4 month mark.
Burps Are a Baby’s Best Friend
After or during a meal, some babies swallow a lot of air, leaving their tummy uncomfortable. Knowing when to burp your baby is essential. You have many methods of burping, so use one that you are comfortable with.
For some babies, the burp will emerge as soon as you sit them upright. For others, it takes a little longer and requires more rubbing or stroking.
If your baby doesn't burp, don't stress, maybe it's not necessary. Always consult your pediatrician if you are unsure or your baby seems unusually fussy or uncomfortable.
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