
If your newborn doesn't burp after feeding, there are a few steps you can take. Firstly, remember that every baby is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Try different burping techniques such as the over-the-shoulder, sitting on your lap, or lying across your lap positions. Be patient as some babies may take longer to burp than others. Check for signs of discomfort or fussiness, as your baby might still have trapped air that needs to be released, and could benefit from additional burping attempts.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
What to do if newborn doesn't burp after feeding | Try different burping techniques, be patient, check for discomfort and seek advice from a healthcare professional if concerned |
Why burping is important | To release swallowed air and prevent discomfort |
When to burp a baby | After each feeding, especially before sleep, and during feeding if prone to gassiness or reflux |
Techniques for burping | Over-the-shoulder, sitting on your lap, lying across your lap |
Tips for burping | Burp for a few minutes, have a cloth for spit-up, try different techniques, burp more often for gassy or reflux-prone babies |
What You'll Learn
Try burping techniques like patting or rubbing their back
If your newborn doesn't burp after feeding, you can try burping techniques like patting or rubbing their back. Here are some methods to help your baby release trapped air:
Over-the-shoulder burping
Place a burp cloth over your shoulder and hold your baby in an upright position against your chest. Their chin should rest on your shoulder, supported by one hand. With your other hand, gently pat, rub, or massage their back. You can also tap your fingertips across their shoulder blades.
Lap-sitting burping
Sit your baby upright on your lap, facing away from you. Lean them slightly forward and support their chest and head with one hand, cradling their chin in the palm of your hand (be careful not to grip their throat). Use your other hand to gently pat their back.
Lying down burping
Lay your baby facedown on your lap, across your knees, or on their belly. Support their head, making sure it's higher than their chest. Firmly rub and pat their back.
Bicycle legs
If your baby doesn't burp after a few minutes, try laying them down on their back and pumping their legs in a bicycling motion.
Remember, burping helps your baby get rid of swallowed air, which can cause discomfort and spitting up. It's normal for your baby to vomit up some milk during burping. If your baby doesn't burp after trying these techniques, you can change their position or try burping again later.
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Burp your baby during feeding
Burping your baby during feeding is an important part of your baby's feeding routine. When your baby swallows, air bubbles can become trapped in their stomach, causing discomfort and making them feel full when they are not. Burping helps to get rid of some of this air and can prevent spitting up.
- If you are bottle-feeding, burp your baby after every 2 to 3 ounces of milk.
- If you are breastfeeding, burp your baby each time they switch breasts. Some breastfed babies may not need to burp as often, as they may not swallow as much air.
- If your baby is very gassy, suffers from reflux, or spits up a lot, you may want to burp them more often. Take regular breaks from feeding. For example, pause after every couple of ounces or when switching breasts.
- If your baby is prone to gas pains or suffers from reflux, you may want to burp them during the feed to allow for another opportunity to release air.
- Try different burping techniques to find what works best for you and your baby. Some common techniques include:
- Over the shoulder: Hold your baby upright with their head resting on your shoulder and pat their back with your free hand.
- Sitting on your lap: Place your baby on your lap sitting up and support their head and chest with one hand while patting their back with the other.
- Lying across your lap: Lay your baby facedown on your lap and gently pat or rub their back.
- Use repeated, gentle pats on your baby's back when burping them. Cup your hand slightly as you pat, as this is gentler than using a flattened palm.
- Drape a towel or bib over your lap or shoulder to protect your clothing in case your baby spits up.
- If your baby doesn't burp after a few minutes, you can try changing their position.
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Use a bib to protect your clothing
If your newborn doesn't burp after feeding, it could be a sign of trapped wind, which can cause discomfort. In this case, you should try burping your baby again in a different position, such as over your shoulder, sitting on your lap, or lying across your lap. If this doesn't work, you can try gently massaging their tummy or moving their legs in a cycling motion.
Now, onto the importance of using a bib to protect your clothing:
Using a bib is an effective way to protect your clothing from any milk or food that your baby may spit up. Bibs are typically made of cloth, but they can also be made of other materials such as paper or silicone. They are designed to cover your baby's chest and catch any spills or messes that may occur during feedings.
Bibs are not only useful during feedings but also when your baby is teething. Teething babies tend to drool a lot, and a bib can help keep their clothing dry and prevent skin irritation. Additionally, using a bib can save you from having to change your baby's clothes repeatedly, reducing the amount of laundry you need to do.
When choosing a bib, look for one that is absorbent, comfortable, and adjustable. It should also be made of soft, non-irritating, and machine-washable material. You may also want to consider bibs with extra features, such as food catchers or adjustable snaps. It is recommended to have at least four to six bibs per child, but the more you have, the less frequently you'll need to do laundry.
Bibs come in various types, including:
- Long-sleeved bibs that offer full coverage and are great for protecting clothing from messes.
- Waterproof, wipe-clean bibs with sleeves, perfect for messy eaters.
- Small, lightweight bibs designed to absorb drool and are useful during nursing or bottle-feeding.
- Disposable bibs, which are single-use and convenient for travel or meals on the go.
- Bandana-style bibs that are stylish and functional, suitable for any age but especially good for toddlers.
In conclusion, using a bib is an essential part of keeping your baby clean and protecting your clothing from messes. It's important to choose the right type of bib for your baby's needs and to have enough bibs to reduce the laundry burden.
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Burp your baby in an upright position
Burping your baby is an important part of the feeding routine. When your newborn swallows air during feeding, it can get trapped in their stomach and cause discomfort. Burping helps to release this air, relieving the pain and preventing spitting up. If your baby doesn't burp after feeding, they might still have trapped air that needs to be released, so it's important to try different techniques and be patient.
To burp your baby in an upright position, you can try the following techniques:
Over-the-shoulder burping method:
- Stand or sit comfortably, slightly reclining.
- Hold your baby under their bottom for support, making sure they are upright.
- Rest their chin on your shoulder, with a soft cloth to absorb any spit-up.
- Pat or rub your baby's back gently.
- If your baby is fussy and hasn't burped yet, try burping, then let them lie on your lap for a minute, and then try burping again.
Lap-sitting burping method:
- Place your baby sideways on your lap, with their chest leaning slightly forward.
- Position your hand under their chin (not their throat) to support their head and chest.
- Pat their back across the shoulder blades to burp them.
- Be patient, as coaxing out a burp can take a few minutes.
Lying down method:
- Lay your baby facedown across your knees on their belly, supporting their head with your lap, arm, or hand.
- Ensure their head is slightly higher than the rest of their body.
- Firmly rub and pat their back.
- If your baby doesn't burp after a few minutes, try changing their position.
Remember, there is no "right" way to burp a baby, and you might need to try different techniques to find what works best for you and your baby. It's important to be attentive to your baby's cues and seek advice from a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.
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Consult a doctor if your baby has a lot of gas or spit-up
If your baby has a lot of gas or spit-up, it is important to consult a doctor if you notice any of the following signs or symptoms:
- Frequent fussiness
- Loose or foul-smelling stools
- Difficulty feeding and/or sleeping
- Crying for long periods of time
- Skin rashes
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Blood in the stool
- Fever
- Poor growth
- Incontinence
- Severe abdominal pain
These symptoms could indicate a more serious condition, such as colic, food intolerance, lactose intolerance, or a more serious digestive problem. It is always better to be safe and seek medical advice if you are concerned about your baby's health.
Additionally, 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, you can try some home remedies before consulting a doctor. This includes trying different burping techniques, such as burping your baby over your shoulder or on your lap, or gently massaging their tummy and moving their legs in a cycling motion while they lie on their back.
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Frequently asked questions
It's okay if your newborn doesn't burp after feeding. The air in their stomach will find a way out, either from the top or bottom end. However, if your baby shows signs of trapped wind, such as crying, an arched back, or clenched fists, you can try to relieve their discomfort by burping them in different positions or doing some simple exercises.
Your baby will let you know if they need to burp. Look for clues such as discomfort while feeding or crying, an arched back, or clenched fists.
There are a few effective positions to burp your baby:
- Over your shoulder: Support their head and chest with one hand, and gently rub and pat their back with the other.
- Sitting on your lap: Sit your baby on your lap facing away from you. Place your palm flat against their chest and support their chin and jaw without putting pressure on the throat. Gently rub or pat their back with your free hand.
- Lying across your lap: Lie your baby face down across your lap and support their chin without putting pressure on the throat. Gently rub or pat their back.