Burping Newborns: A Breastfeeding Must Or A Myth?

When a baby is feeding, they can swallow a lot of air, which can become trapped in their tummy and cause discomfort. This can be relieved by burping the baby. However, burping a newborn is not always necessary, especially when the baby is breastfed. This is because breastfed babies tend to swallow less air than bottle-fed babies, as they can control the flow of milk.

Breastfed babies don't always need burping

Burping a baby is an important part of feeding, and it helps to get rid of the air they swallow during feeding. However, breastfed babies typically need less burping than formula-fed babies, and some may not need burping at all. This is because they can control the flow of milk and won't swallow as much air as a baby drinking from a bottle.

When a baby feeds, they often swallow a lot of air, which travels to the stomach and creates air bubbles. These air bubbles can cause discomfort and a feeling of fullness, even if the baby hasn't finished feeding. Burping helps to relieve this discomfort and prevent spitting up.

When to Burp Your Baby

There are no set rules on when to burp your baby. Some babies need burping during their feed, while others need it after. Look for signs that your baby is uncomfortable, such as fussiness or crying, and take a burping break if needed. If your baby seems fine, you can wait until they have finished feeding.

How to Burp Your Baby

There are a few different positions you can try to burp your baby:

• Over your shoulder: Hold your baby upright with their chin resting on your shoulder. Support their head and shoulder with one hand and gently rub or pat their back with your other hand.
• Sitting on your lap: Sit your baby on your lap facing away from you. Place your hand flat against their chest and support their chin and jaw without putting pressure on the throat. Lean them slightly forward and gently rub or pat their back.
• Lying across your lap: Lie your baby across your lap, face down. Support their chin without applying pressure to the throat and gently rub or pat their back.

What to Do If Your Baby Won't Burp

If your baby is showing signs of trapped wind, such as crying, an arched back, drawing their legs into their tummy, or clenching their fists, try lying them on their back and gently massaging their tummy. You can also move their legs in a cycling motion to help relieve the gas. If these methods don't work, speak to your health visitor or healthcare provider for advice.

Burping helps to relieve discomfort

When a baby swallows, air bubbles can become trapped in their tummy, causing discomfort. Burping your baby allows them to expel some of that gas and relieve the pain. It also helps to prevent spitting up.

Signs that your baby has trapped gas include crying, an arched back, drawing their legs into their tummy, or clenching their fists. If you notice these signs, it's important to take a burping break during feeding.

There are several techniques you can try to help your baby burp:

Over the shoulder

Hold your baby upright with their head resting on your shoulder. Support their head and shoulder area with one hand and gently rub and pat their back with your other hand. You can also try walking around while doing this.

Sitting on your lap

Sit your baby on your lap facing away from you. Support their chin and chest with one hand, ensuring you don't put any pressure on the throat area. With your other hand, gently rub or pat their back.

Lying across your lap

Rest your baby facedown across your lap. Support their chin without applying pressure to the throat area and gently rub or pat their back with your free hand. It's a good idea to keep a cloth nearby as your baby may spit up.

If your baby still shows signs of trapped gas after trying these methods, you can try lying them on their back and gently massaging their tummy. You can also move their legs in a bicycling motion. If these tips don't help, consult your healthcare provider for advice.

Remember, burping is a key part of your baby's feeding routine and can help relieve their discomfort.

Signs of trapped gas

Newborns have immature digestive systems and frequently experience gas. Trapped gas can cause discomfort and pain, and it is important to know the signs to look out for to help relieve your baby's pain.

Common signs of trapped gas:

• Crying and fussiness: Your baby may cry and be fussy for an hour or more a day. This could be a sign of normal newborn gassiness, but if it occurs daily and doesn't improve, consult a doctor.
• Unhappiness: If your baby seems unhappy most of the time, it could indicate they are particularly gassy and need help relieving the pain.
• Difficulty eating and sleeping: Trouble with sleeping or eating can have various causes, but infant gas may be one of them, especially if there are other signs.
• Squirming and pulling legs up: Your baby may squirm as if uncomfortable or in pain and pull their legs up to their chest, especially during bouts of fussiness.
• Arched back, drawing legs into the tummy: This is a sign of discomfort, as the baby tries to adjust to relieve the pain.
• Clenched fists: Another sign of discomfort.
• Spitting up: While normal, trapped gas can cause your baby to spit up as it pushes milk back up.
• Bloated tummy: This could indicate a build-up of gas in the stomach.
• Flatulence: All babies pass gas, but excessive tooting could mean they have excess gas.
• Burping: Your baby may need to burp if they have swallowed too much air while nursing or crying for long periods.

Relieving trapped gas:

If your baby shows signs of trapped gas, there are several techniques to help relieve their discomfort:

• Burping: Try to burp your baby twice instead of just once, and ensure you burp them during and after feedings.
• Sitting upright: Hold your baby in an upright position while burping to help expel gas.
• Tummy time: Laying your baby on their tummy will help push gas out.
• Bicycle exercises: Move your baby's legs in a pedalling motion to help push out trapped air.
• Massage: Gently massage your baby's tummy and back to help move gas out and relax your baby.
• Adjust latch: Ensure your baby is latching correctly to avoid swallowing too much air.
• Dietary changes: If you are breastfeeding, consider your diet. Some foods may cause gas in your baby, such as dairy, soy, or certain vegetables. Try eliminating these from your diet to see if it helps.

If these tips don't work, consult a healthcare professional for further advice.

Techniques to burp your baby

Burping your baby is an important part of their feeding routine. When your baby swallows, they can trap air bubbles in their tummy, which can cause discomfort. Burping helps your baby to relieve this pain and prevent spitting up.

When to Burp Your Baby

There are no rules on when to burp your baby. Some babies need to be burped during their feed, while others need to be burped after. If your baby seems uncomfortable during feeding, take a burping break. If not, wait until they have finished.

How to Burp Your Baby

There are several techniques to burp your baby. Try them all out and see which works best for you and your baby, or use a combination.

• Over your shoulder: Hold your baby upright with their head resting on your shoulder. Support their head and shoulder with one hand and gently rub and pat their back with the other. You might find it helps to walk around while doing this.
• Sitting on your lap: Sit your baby on your lap facing away from you. Place the palm of your hand flat against their chest and support their chin and jaw (without putting pressure on their throat). Lean your baby slightly forward and gently rub or pat their back with your free hand.
• Lying across your lap: Lie your baby across your lap, face down. Support their chin (without putting pressure on the throat) and gently rub or pat their back with your free hand.

What to Do if Your Baby Won't Burp

If your baby still seems to have trapped wind (signs include crying, an arched back, drawing their legs into their tummy, and clenched fists), try lying them on their back and gently massaging their tummy. You can also try moving their legs back and forth, as if they are riding a bicycle. If this doesn't work, speak to your health visitor or healthcare provider for advice.

When to burp your baby

Burping your baby is an important part of feeding. When your baby swallows, air bubbles can become trapped in their tummy and cause discomfort. Burping allows your baby to remove some of that gassiness to relieve the pain. It also helps prevent spitting up.

There are no hard and fast rules on when to burp your baby. Some babies need to be burped during their feed, while others need to be burped after. Your baby will let you know! 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 may bring some milk up while burping, so have a cloth or muslin square ready. This is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.

If your baby is showing signs of trapped wind (like crying, an arched back, drawing legs into the tummy, or clenching their fists), try burping them. If they still won't burp, try lying them on their back and gently massaging their tummy. You can also try moving their legs back and forth, like they're riding a bicycle.

Positions for burping your baby

There are a few different positions you can try to burp your baby. Try them all out and see which works best, or use a combination.

• Over your shoulder: With your baby's chin resting on your shoulder, support the head and shoulder area with one hand, and gently rub and pat your baby's back. It might help to walk around at the same time.
• Sitting on your lap: Sit your baby on your lap facing away from you. Place the palm of your hand flat against their chest and support their chin and jaw (without putting any pressure on the throat area). Lean your baby forward slightly and gently rub or pat their back with your free hand.
• Lying across your lap: Lie your baby across your lap, face down. Support their chin (without putting any pressure on the throat area) and gently rub or pat their back with your free hand.

Frequently asked questions