How to Burp a Newborn: Easy Techniques & Safety Tips

Having a baby is one of the most exciting things that can happen in life, but it also comes with a lot of worries and problems. Many new parents are worried about how to properly burp a newborn. You want to do everything you can to keep your little bundle of joy happy, comfortable, and free of gas pains. Burping is an easy but important part of feeding a baby because it helps get rid of air bubbles that can make them uncomfortable, fussy, or even colicky.

If this is your first time being a parent, you might be feeling a little overwhelmed by all the new words and duties. Don’t worry, you’re not the only one! In this blog post, we’ll talk about when and how to burp a newborn baby, as well as how to make the process easier for both you and your baby. We’ll also talk about common mistakes to avoid and answer questions that people often have about burping a newborn. Let’s get started!

What is Burping and Why Is It Important?

Burping a baby helps them get rid of the air they swallowed while eating. Babies tend to swallow small amounts of air when they are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. At first, this might not seem like a big deal, but if the air isn’t released, it can quickly become uncomfortable. Here are some main reasons why it’s important to burp:

• Help with gas: Babies’ digestive systems aren’t fully developed yet, so gas can build up in their small tummies. Burping helps by pushing out this extra air, which makes you feel better right away.
• How to Stop Colic: Gas and too much crying are common signs of colic. Burping a baby regularly and correctly can lower the chances of it getting colicky or at least make it less severe.
• Comfort Before and After Feeding: You can help a newborn burp and feel better by making sure they don’t get too much air in their stomach. This will make your feeding sessions calmer and more fun.

Keep in mind that a baby who burps well is often a happier baby. When you learn how to effectively burp a newborn, you not only help them avoid pain, but you also build a stronger bond with them through that gentle, comforting touch.

When Should You Burp a Baby?

Now that we’ve talked about why burping is important, let’s talk about when to do it. Most of the time, parents are told to burp their babies right after they eat, whether they are eating breast milk or formula. But there are some things you should know:

• After Breastfeeding: Babies who are breastfed may swallow less air than babies who are bottle-fed, but they still need a chance to let go of any gas that is stuck. People often say to burp them when you switch breasts and again when you’re done feeding them.
• After Bottle Feeding: The flow of the nipple can make bottle-fed babies swallow more air without meaning to. Burp them halfway through the bottle to let out any air that has built up. Then burp them again when the feeding is over.
• Mid-Feed vs. Post-Feed: Some babies get cranky when they feel gassy while eating. If your baby turns away or starts crying during a feeding, it could mean they need to burp right away. Make sure to burp them again after you start feeding them again.

Signs That Your Baby Needs to Be Burped

Look for the following signs:

• Squirming: If your baby starts to squirm or arch their back, it might be time for a burp.
• Crying or being fussy: When your baby cries, it’s their way of saying they’re not happy. They might have trapped gas if it happens during a feeding.
• Spitting Up: If your baby spits up a lot or has wet burps, it could mean that air is pushing milk back up or that they are drinking too quickly.

Taking a minute to burp your baby at these important times can make them feel better and improve their mood.

The Best Ways to Burp a Newborn

When you think of how to burp a newborn, you probably think of three main how to burp a newborn positions: over-the-shoulder, sitting up on your lap, and lying face down on your lap. You might find that one method works better for your baby’s comfort level, or you might switch between them depending on the situation.

1. The Over-the-Shoulder Way

This is probably one of the most common ways to hold a newborn to burp:

• Getting ready: Put a bib or burp cloth over your shoulder to keep your clothes clean in case your baby spits up.
• Positioning: Hold your baby gently against your chest, making sure their head is on your shoulder. Newborns can’t hold themselves up, so make sure you support their head and neck.
• Soft pats: With one hand, support your baby’s lower back or bottom, and with the other, gently pat or rub their back. Try to make small, repetitive movements.
• Angle: Hold the baby a little higher on your chest so that your shoulder area puts gentle pressure on their tummy.
• Tip for safety: Always make sure your baby’s head and neck are well-supported. Don’t lean too far back or forward, as this could hurt your baby’s neck.

2. Sitting on Your Lap

If you want to see how your baby is feeling and check their facial expressions, this position is very helpful:

• Get ready by putting a cloth or small towel on your lap in case your baby spits up.
• Positioning: Put your baby on your lap in a comfortable, upright position. Hold their torso up with one arm and cradle their chest and chin with your hand. Don’t squeeze their neck.
• Gentle Back Pats: With your free hand, pat or rub their back in small circles.
• Check the stability of the head: Make sure that your baby’s head is well-supported. It’s okay to gently tilt their head forward and backward, but don’t let it bob around.
• Tip for safety: Check that nothing is blocking the baby’s mouth or nose and that they can breathe easily.

3. Lying on Your Lap Face Down

For some babies, lying on their stomach can help put a little pressure on their tummy, which makes it easier for them to pass gas:

• Before you start, put a burp cloth on your lap to catch any spit-up.
• Positioning: Put your baby on your lap with their tummy touching your legs and their face down. They should turn their head to the side to breathe easily.
• Help the Head: Put the baby’s cheek on your leg to support their head and keep their airway clear.
• Gentle pats or rubs: Gently pat or rub their back in a rhythmic way. You can also help move gas bubbles along by stroking them up and down.
• Always hold the baby with one hand to keep them from rolling off your lap. Don’t push too hard on the stomach; just move it gently.

How to Make Burping Easier

Even though learning how to burp a newborn may seem like just one more thing to add to an already busy schedule, you can make it easier by using a few simple tips:

• Gentle pats or rubs on the back: A lot of the time, light, steady patting or rubbing in a circle works wonders. Don’t move quickly or with a lot of force.
• Make the environment calm: A baby can get scared by loud noises or sudden interruptions, which can make it harder for them to relax while they burp. Get a cozy chair or a quiet spot to feed and burp.
• Don’t feed your baby too much. Babies sometimes cry or spit up just because they’re too full. If your baby looks uncomfortable or full, take a short break. Give them a burp before giving them more milk.
• Use the right angles when feeding: When you breastfeed or bottle-feed, make sure the baby’s head is higher than their stomach. This makes it easier for the milk to flow and cuts down on the amount of air that gets in.
• Look for Early Signs of Discomfort: If your baby starts to fuss or pull away while you’re feeding them, stop for a quick burp before you start again.

Using these burping tips for babies can make feeding time more pleasant for everyone and help your baby feel better faster.

Things You Shouldn’t Do

Knowing what to avoid can be just as important as knowing what to do. When learning how to burp a newborn, here are some things you should avoid:

• Shaking or Rough Handling: Some parents wrongly believe that the baby needs to be shaken hard to let out gas. This is not only useless, but it can also be harmful. Always move slowly and gently, knowing exactly how hard to burp a newborn (gently!).
• Not Giving the Baby’s Neck Support: Babies’ neck muscles are weak, so they need support all the time. Not giving enough support can make things uncomfortable or even hurt.
• Not Burping After Feeding: It’s a good idea to burp your baby after breastfeeding or a bottle, even if they seem happy. This stops gas from building up, which could make you restless later.
• Being Impatient: A baby may burp right away sometimes, but other times it may take a few minutes. If you rush through this process, you might not get all the gas out.

Keep in mind that patience is important. Every baby is different, and what works for one may not work for another. Keep an eye on your baby and write down how they react to different things to find the best way to help them.

Also read our detailed guide: How to Get Rid of Newborn Hiccups: Fast & Effective Remedies

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some of the most common questions about burping and relieving gas in babies.

1. How long should you try to burp a newborn?

There isn’t a set rule. Some babies will burp after just a few pats, while others may take five minutes or more. A good rule of thumb: Try to burp for a few minutes. If the baby doesn’t burp, try changing positions or waiting a little longer. If the baby seems uncomfortable, try again. Many parents wonder how long to burp a newborn for; a good aim is a few minutes per position.

2. What if my baby doesn’t burp?

It’s okay if not every feeding ends with a loud burp. If your baby hasn’t burped after a few minutes of trying and seems comfortable, it’s probably because they didn’t swallow a lot of air. Keep an eye on them after they eat. If they show signs of gas later, you can put them back in a burping position to get a newborn to burp.

3. How to burp a newborn that won’t burp?

If your baby won’t burp, try changing positions. Move from over-the-shoulder to the sitting position, or try lying them face down on your lap. Gentle movement, like walking while holding them, can also help. If they seem content without burping, they might not need to.

4. Do babies who are breastfed need to be burped?

Yes, they do! How to burp a breastfed newborn is similar to bottle-fed babies. They usually swallow less air because the milk flows more slowly, but they can still trap gas. Make sure to include burping in your breastfeeding routine, especially if your baby seems to be in pain.

5. Can I burp a sleeping newborn?

Yes, you can! Knowing how to burp a sleeping newborn or how to burp a newborn while sleeping is useful. You can gently lift them into an upright position against your shoulder or sit them on your lap while supporting their head. They often will burp without fully waking up.

In Conclusion

Burping may not seem like a big deal when it comes to taking care of a newborn, but it can have a big effect on how comfortable and healthy your baby is. To burp a newborn correctly, you need to know when to do it, which positions are most comfortable for the baby, and how to do it safely and calmly. If you use these tips for burping babies every time you feed them, you’ll help relieve their gas and make them happier and more content.

Don’t worry if it seems hard at first. Practice makes perfect in all areas of parenting. As time goes on, you’ll get better at taking care of your baby and calming them down by burping them and doing other things. If you stay calm, aware, and pay attention to your baby’s cues, burping will become second nature.

If this helped you, look at our other guides on how to care for a newborn for more tips and advice on how to make those first few months a great time for both you and your baby! Take it one day at a time; your love and care are what will help your baby grow up healthy and happy.

Disclaimer

Medical Advice: The information in this article about how to burp a newborn is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always seek the guidance of your pediatrician or other qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your child’s health.

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