How To Make Newborn Burp

Tips And Positions To Make Your Baby Burp

How to burp a baby

Burping is usually quite simple hold the baby in an upright position such as over the shoulder or lying on your lap and gently rub or pat their back. Wait a few minutes and try again if they dont burp immediately. If this frequency doesnt work, try some of the following ways to make baby burp faster:

How Long Does Burping Take

Burping usually only takes a minute or two. Sometimes a burp will come up as soon as you move your baby upright, and sometimes you have to wait a little while and help things with a gentle pat or tummy pressure.

Another helpful strategy is to get your baby in the habit of falling asleep in their crib rather than while feeding. When you notice them getting sleepy at the breast or bottle, stop the feeding, burp them for a minute or so, and then put them down to sleep. The younger you start this, the easier it is to do.

If your baby is often stiff and uncomfortable, talk with their doctor about more help for relieving gas. Some babies with bad reflux may need to stay upright for 30 minutes after eating, day or night.

How To Burp Your Baby Fast

Try experimenting with the different positions detailed above to find the one that works fastest for you and your child.

Using an upright position often helps. Most parents use the over-the-shoulder position, as it seems to give babies more room to get the wind out.

Remember, it takes some babies longer to bring air bubbles up.

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When To Stop Burping A Newborn

Burping a newborn should only take a couple of minutes, so dont feel you need to rub his back all day long.

If he seems uncomfortable but isnt managing to bring any air up, try the techniques listed above to see if they help.

As your baby grows, hell find it easier to bring wind up by himself. You might move him to your shoulder and a burp just erupts!

Continue to burp your baby after feeds until he figures out how to bring air bubbles up independently.

Tips For Burping Your Baby

How To Burp A Baby?

Try these tips the next time you need to burp your baby:

  • Use repeated, gentle pats on her back.

  • Cup your hand slightly as you pat her, as this is gentler than using a flattened palm.

  • Drape a towel or bib over your lap or shoulder to protect your clothing as you burp your baby, in case your baby spits up .

Now that you know how to burp your baby, and these tips help you do so effectively, hereâs a helpful visual guide:

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Does My Baby Need To Burp

Its commonly believed that infants need to burp to get rid of extra gas in their stomachs.1 The idea is that babies dont know how to burp on their own and that babies may be bloated or fussy if we dont help them get that air out.

In fact, its so common for people to burp their babies during and after feeding that many of us have never stopped to wonder if its necessary.

Is It Normal For My Baby To Vomit With Burping

It is quite common for babies to have a small vomit with the burp. It is relatively easy for babies to vomit read more. As long as your baby is happy in herself and not distressed with the vomit, and she is putting on weight there is no need to worry about your baby vomiting with burping.

If your baby is distressed when vomiting with feeds, this is gastro-esophageal reflux disease read more.

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Change Sides For Feeding

Switch nursing is a breastfeeding technique involving alternating breasts multiple times. According to verywellfamily.com, this technique is very helpful during the first few days of breastfeeding, when the milk supply is just building up and the baby is still trying to figure out the best, cozy and comfortable positions for him. Each time the baby slows down, stops sucking or falls asleep, the movement of changing sides and the change in the breastmilk flow will help to wake him up and encourage him to start feeding again.

The extra stimulation on both breasts by switching sides also helps to build the breastmilk supply. You are stimulating both of your babys eyes and both sides of his body and his brain and reducing the chances of your baby developing a favored side, which can make breastfeeding quite challenging. Once the breastmilk supply goes up, you can stop changing sides frequently and allow the baby to finish on one side before moving to the other.

How We Wrote This Article

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The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.

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Burping Challenges And Solutions

Keep in mind that not all babies are frequent burpers. Some babies pass enough gas that they wont need to burp much.

If your little one doesnt seem to burp a lot, isnt bothered by gas pains, and is on track for their growth and weight gain, theres no need to worry about whether or not theyre burping enough.

On the other hand, if your infant seems to be uncomfortable after feedings but isnt burping much, there may be something going on.

Take a look at these common burping challenges and what you can do to help your little one release painful air bubbles.

What Are The Proper Techniques For Burping Infants

There is no one right way for burping babies. However there are several tried and tested burping positions as demonstrated on this how to burp a baby page. You may find one your baby finds best or you might try all of them at some time. I usually try one and if that doesnt work, change the burping position to another one.

How to burp a baby properly involves taking the pressure off the stomach and holding the baby upright . There are several techniques that will achieve this, as seen below.

  • How to burp a baby position 1.Hold your baby with her head over your shoulder and her chest against your chest. Gently rub or pat the back. You do not need to be too vigorous, just pat gently if you elect to pat rather than rub. I cup my hand slightly to pat the back. Use a burp cloth and put it over your shoulder to catch any small vomit. See the picture on the right
  • How to burp a baby position 2.Sit your baby on your lap. Put the thumb and forefinger of one hand on the bony part of the babys jaw and hold the babys jaw forward. The other hand can gently rub or pat the back. The babys position should look like a triangle by pulling the head forward, the spine is stretched and pressure on the stomach relieved. See the picture on the right

You may even know how to burp a baby with another position if it works, keep doing it.

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Why Does Your Baby Need To Burp

Just as important as knowing how to make a newborn baby burp is knowing why it is so important this may help you understand how to make baby burp and avoid complications.

The simple reasoning behind this is that burping helps avoid gas buildup. Babys cannot burp on their own for the first few months, therefore they have no way of expelling any air that they may have swallowed over the course of crying or being fed. Due to the natural suckling reflex, babies tend to swallow a considerable amount of air over the course of a feeding, regardless of whether they are breast or bottle feed. Babies with colic may also swallow air during crying spells, which can cause significant discomfort. It is very important to have an understanding of how to make a baby burp to avoid this discomfort and disturbance, and avoid problems such as indigestion or sleep disturbance.

How Often Do Babies Need To Burp And What’s The Best Way To Eliminate The Excess Gas Our Baby Burping Primer Answers All Of Your Burning Questions

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When gas bubbles get stuck in your baby’s stomach, they can cause a feeling of fullness and discomfort. Burping helps release these gas bubbles up the esophagus and out of the mouth. “Gas is air that gets trapped in the gastrointestinal system and needs to be released,” explains Shalini Forbis, M.D., a pediatrician and a Dr. Mom Squad blogger for Dayton Children’s Hospital in Ohio.

Looking for the best way to get the job done? Check out our expert-approved guide to learn how to burp a baby properly.

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What Happens If You Dont Burp A Baby

So your baby fell asleep before you could give her a good pat on the back? Good news: Burping a baby can help relieve excess gas, but not all babies need to be burped. In general, breastfed babies tend to swallow less air and, therefore, may not need to be burped after every feeding. If your baby sleeps comfortably without burping after nursing, consider yourself lucky! If your baby is extra fussy or squirmy after feedings, she may have excess gas and could benefit from being burped.

Pat Or Bounce Your Baby

Patting your baby on the back helps move the air bubbles up, but sometimes the patting isnt enough. If he wont burp, try patting him more firmly, as light pats may not be effective. Another option is to pat his bottom. Many parents swear this is the only way to get their babies to burp.

If patting doesnt work, see if rubbing his back does the trick. Move your hand gently but with enough pressure from the bottom to the top of his back.

And finally, try sitting him on your lap and gently bouncing him up and down. Support him in the same way as you would if you were burping him sitting upright, but move your leg up and down.

Keep in mind not to move too vigorously, as he has just eaten and may spit it back up with too much motion.

Free resource: By the way, does your baby get fussy and overtired during the day? Download my handout, One Mistake Youre Making with Your Babys Awake Time. Youll learn exactly how to use his awake time to help him take better naps.

Plus, youll also get my newsletters, which parents say they LOVE:

Thank you Nina. I always look forward to reading your emails and visiting your blog. It sounds like you are really intentionally writing and speaking to your subscribers and not just an auto email full of enumerated links. Thank you very much for always taking the time to share your thoughts with us. -Fatima O.

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What If Baby Just Doesnt Burp Much

If youve used the right burping technique and baby doesnt seem to burp much, theyre just fine as long as they dont seem uncomfortable. Some babies naturally swallow less air, and some babies pass enough gas to reduce their need for burping.

Of course, if baby doesnt seem to be burping enough and still seems uncomfortable, talk to your pediatrician. They can help you figure out whats causing babys discomfort.

All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

See the FDA Peanut Allergy Qualified Health Claim at the bottom of our homepage.

All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.

FDA Acknowledges Qualified Health Claim Linking Early Peanut Introduction and Reduced Risk of Developing Peanut Allergy in 2017:

If your infant has severe eczema and/or egg allergy, check with your infants healthcare provider before feeding foods containing ground peanuts.

Other Instances When Burping Your Baby Might Be Beneficial

Newborn Burping Techniques

If your sleeping baby wakes suddenly and you suspect it may be because of gas, burping her might help relieve the pressure and help her fall back asleep.A colicky baby, who may cry for three or more hours per day, might have gas from all the air sheâs swallowed during one of these crying spells. You may consider burping her to see if it helps comfort her.

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How To Burp A Baby: 5 Clever Mum Tips

Burping your baby quickly becomes the holy grail of feeding time, easing belly pain and making room for more milky goodness. But how to burp a baby isnt one-size-fits-all what works for one newborn may not work for another newborn, so its handy to know a whole bunch of techniques to get your newborn to burp.

When babies need to be burped, some prefer the tried and true over-the-shoulder technique, others prefer to get rid of their belly bubbles laying face-down. And some days all the usual tricks just dont work thats when its time to try something different.

Other Baby Burping Positions

The chest position described above is one of the most common positions for burping babies, but they can also be burped in the following ways:

Sitting Up Position

  • Hold your baby in a sitting position in your lap. When using this position, its important to make sure their head and chin are supported, since theyre not quite ready to hold their head up on their own.
  • Using one hand, hold your babys chest and head. Make sure your hand is cupping their chin, not their throat, while the heel of your hand rests on their chest.
  • Gently pat your babys back with the other hand.

Lap Position

  • In a sitting position, lay your baby down on your lap with their belly facing down. On one leg, their head should be turned to the side, while their tummy rests on your other leg.
  • Make sure their head is supported and is positioned a little bit higher than their chest.
  • Gently pat your babys back with the other hand.

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How To Burp A Baby: A Step

Burps are not typically a pleasant sound unless, of course, theyre coming from your new baby. Getting a good burp out of baby means theyre letting loose the air thats trapped in their belly which we all know feels pretty satisfying. And up until baby reaches a certain age, more often than not, they will need your help with burping not necessarily because they cant burp but because its difficult to expel air when you spend most of your time laying down.

How air gets in baby bellies varies it can be caused by bottle feeding, breastfeeding moms who have an overactive letdown, or from a hefty crying session. If youve just switched over to Dr. Browns bottles from another bottle brand, youll notice baby doesnt need as much burping as before. Still, its a good idea to incorporate the practice into your feeding regimen. Use this guide as to learn the ins and outs of burping baby.

Three Ways to Burp a BabySo, whats the best way to burp a baby? There are three popular techniques for burping along with a plethora of other ways. For the sake of time, well cover these three strategies and a few ways people tweak them.

When to Burp BabyUntil you get to know signs baby needs a burp, there are some simple rules-of-thumb to follow.

After Burping: Understanding Your Babys Cues

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After burping, your baby will give you baby cues about what to do next. If baby is comfortable, it might be time for play and activities with you.

If your baby is still upset after being burped, the problem might be something other than wind. Is your baby still hungry? Does baby have a dirty nappy? Is baby unwell?

If your newborn is often unsettled after feeding and burping, or youre worried for any other reason, see your GP or child and family health nurse.

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Baby Burping: Why Do Babies Need To Be Burped

Young babies tend to swallow a lot of air when theyre feeding, which can cause air bubbles to become trapped in their stomach. If theyre not burped , this excess air can cause baby discomfort, leading them to bring up what theyve just drunk , which can sometimes be forceful. They might also become very gassy.

A friend told me that babies who are breastfed dont need to be burped. I can assure you that for us at least this is categorically untrue. I followed this baby burping advice for the first few days after we brought her home and the result was the most enormous bottom burps . As soon as I began burping her, she was a lot less gassy.

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