Tips for burping your baby

Whether you’re breastfeeding or not, there’s one important part of feeding your baby: burping them effectively. While getting this right may be a struggle at times, it’s a very important part of ensuring your baby is feeding well and that they’re free from digestive discomfort.

Dr Maretha Combrink, a paediatrician in Pretoria, says that babies should be burped at each feeding and that burping needs to happen, even if the baby has fallen asleep. 

Why is it important to burp a baby?

“When your baby drinks, they can’t help but to swallow some air along with the breastmilk or formula,” says Dr Combrink. “However, having air bubbles trapped in their stomach can make your baby feel uncomfortable and full before they are finished drinking.” Burping helps to get rid of any excess air and is an essential component of the feeding process.

How often is it necessary to burp a baby?

Newborn babies drink frequently, and you’ll have to ensure you are burping them as often as is needed. Some babies struggle with excess gas and would need to be burped more often or with more intent than others, but it’s always necessary to burp a newborn baby after feeds. If your baby is struggling with excess gas or spit-up, talk to their paediatrician for advice.

“When breastfeeding, burp baby when you switch from one breast to the other,” says Dr Combrink, explaining that this relief from excess gas helps to make room in baby’s stomach for more milk, which ensures they are taking in enough at each feed. “If your newborn is managing only one breast at a time, burp mid-feed and then continue to feed from the same breast,” adds Dr Combrink.

“Keep in mind that a baby who has swallowed air may stop eating and refuse to switch breasts simply because they feel uncomfortably full,” says Dr Combrink. It is important to take your time to burp your baby and to ensure the gas is let out, especially if you see signs of discomfort and fussiness during and/or after feeds. Other signs that your baby needs to be burped include crying without any obvious cause, clenched fists, pulling their legs up into their tummy, and arching their back.

Burping techniques to try

Everyone has a different way of burping a baby that works for them, and while there may be one that you prefer, sometimes it is necessary to try holding your baby in a different position to ensure they’ve passed enough gas to keep them happy. 

Dr Combrink shares three basic ways to hold a baby while burping them:

• Against your shoulder

• Face-down on your lap

• In a sitting position

“It’s a good idea to try all three to see which technique gets the job done,” she advises. When your baby is in a comfortable position, support their head and neck with one hand and use your other hand to rub or gently pat their back – do this repeatedly until your baby burps or passes gas. 

It should take only a few minutes to burp your baby. However, keep in mind that every baby is different and there may be times where it takes a little longer. 

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