How to Burp your Newborn Baby?

Is your baby fussy and irritable during or after feedings? It's probably because she swallowed some air with her milk, causing her to feel uncomfortably full. In addition, many new mothers wonder how to burp a baby correctly because burping your baby is a vital feeding step that can help them feel better.

Burping a newborn can help reduce or, at times, even eliminate the troubles of gas and colic pain that your little one might go through. This article will help you explore the art of how to burp a baby, baby burping positions, and when to stop burping a baby.

Why Do Newborns Require Burping?

Before we get into details like how to burp a baby or techniques to burp a newborn, let us first understand why newborns require burping.

Babies don't always swallow air while feeding. This usually happens when they are hungry and try to gulp the milk faster. The milk flow in the case of bottle-fed babies is faster; thus, bottle-fed babies tend to swallow more air while feeding.
Even newborn babies who have not yet learned to latch correctly might gulp air and have gas and colic pains.

Burping can help babies release the trapped air they swallowed during feed time and reduce the chances of gas and colic pain. This is why doctors and parents advise burping a newborn after breastfeeding or even bottle feeding.

When To Burp Your Newborn?

Although burping is often associated with avoiding gas and colic pain, the American Academy of Paediatrics (AAP) recommends that a baby still on a milk diet should be burped regularly, even if they do not show any sign of discomfort or gas.

For fussy babies and babies who experience gas more often, it is advised to burp them even between feeds. For example, while changing the breast or middle of the bottle, give them a break and burp them to release any gas they might have swallowed.

However, when burping your baby, make sure you've been using baby burp cloths as a vital baby essential because they protect your baby's clothes from spilt milk when they're burped. SuperBottoms Waterproof Cloth Bib can be your ideal choice while selecting the right one. This apron-style bib is super comfortable to be worn around your baby's shoulder and not around the neck to ensure there is no strain or discomfort around your baby's neck. Additionally, the breadcrumb catcher pocket ensures mess-free self-feeding sessions by providing full coverage.

Baby Burping Positions

No ‘one solution fits all’ approach works when burping a newborn baby. However, if you need some newborn burping tricks and tips, the following will help you with baby burping positions and will also help you understand how to burp a sleeping baby.

▪ Over your shoulder – This is the most natural position and works best for you if you wonder how to burp a sleeping newborn. First, place your baby's help on your shoulder and your arm firmly under their bum. Then, gently pat and rub the back of your baby using the other hand till they burp.

▪ Sitting on lap - Make your baby sit on your lap and lean a bit forward for little pressure on their tummy. Support the chest with one hand while gently patting and rubbing the back with the other hand to help them burp.

▪ Face down on your lap – Cap your baby's face from the chin with one hand and make them lay face down on your lap. Keep the head slightly elevated and sideways, rub the back, and gently pat them to let the burp out.

▪ Walking – A more convenient position for little older babies with head control who do not fall asleep during feeding. Make your baby sit on your arm facing outwards, back towards you, and place your palm firmly on their belly while walking. The walking motions will help release the trapped air.

The method you choose most often will depend on what helps your baby burp easier and more comfortably.

How Often Do You Burp A Baby?

How often to burp your newborn baby will depend on how frequently your baby feeds.

▪ When breastfeeding – burp your baby while switching between breasts. If you feed on only one breast at a time, burp your baby mid-feel.

▪ When feeding with a bottle – burp your little one after every 60 – 80 ml feed, or more often if your baby takes longer.

What To Do If Your Baby Doesn't Burp

Burps are the air that babies swallow while breastfeeding or feeding on a bottle. Thus, the baby doesn't need to always burp after a feed. Also, if your baby has not swallowed any air, it might not burp.

Although there is nothing to worry about if the baby doesn't burp, at times, there might be a bit of air trapped that can later cause colic pain or gas for your baby; thus, try the following if your baby hit takes as not burped after a feed.

▪ Lay the baby down for a few minutes if they have not burped, even after patting and trying after the feed. Then, please pick them up and try burping them again after a break.

After the feed, keep the baby upright. You can wear them on your shoulder or a good or sling upright. This will allow them to burp after a while and prevent colic pain even if they do not burp at all. Also, while attempting to get your baby to burp, make sure that your baby is wearing extremely comfy everyday wear clothes that are super safe and snug on the baby while burping.

When To Stop Burping A Baby?

Are you wondering how long it takes to burp a newborn? Well, there is no specific age at which you need to stop burping your baby. However, as babies grow, start to sit, and start on solid foods, the need to burp them reduces over time.

Keep burping them all together in one go. However, you can stop one meal at a time, and if you do not notice any gas or discomfort in your baby after the meals, it might be time to say goodbye to burping.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Reduces Colic Pain: Burping can help babies release the trapped air they swallowed during feed time and reduce the chances of gas and colic pain.
2. No Solution Fits All: No ‘one solution fits all’ approach works when burping a newborn baby.
3. No specific Age: You need to stop burping your baby at no particular age.

MESSAGE FROM SUPERBOTTOMS

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