Burping is an essential part of feeding a newborn, helping to release the air that babies often swallow while feeding. This simple act can prevent discomfort, gas, and spit-up, making both you and your baby more comfortable. However, many new parents wonder about the best way to burp a baby and how frequently they should be doing it. In this article, we’ll explore different positions to try when burping a newborn.
How to Burp Your Baby: Positions to Try
When it comes to burping a newborn, there are several positions that you can try to find the most comfortable and effective one for both you and your baby. The key is to be gentle and patient, as every baby is different and may respond better to one method than another.
First Position: Over the Shoulder
This is one of the most common positions for burping. To do this, sit upright and hold your baby against your chest, with their chin resting on your shoulder. Support their head and neck with one hand while using your other hand to gently pat or rub their back. This position allows gravity to help the air bubbles rise, making it easier for your baby to burp. To prevent any mess from spitting up, you might want to place a burp cloth over your shoulder.
Second Position: Sitting on Your Lap
Another effective position is sitting your baby on your lap, facing sideways. Use one hand to support their chest and head by cradling their chin in the palm of your hand (be sure not to grip their throat). With your other hand, gently pat or rub their back. This position helps compress the baby's tummy, which can help release trapped air.
Third Position: Face-Down on Your Lap
In this position, lay your baby face-down across your lap, with their head slightly higher than their chest. Support their head with one hand while you use the other to gently pat their back. This position can be especially helpful if your baby tends to spit up a lot, as it minimizes the chances of regurgitation.
Each baby is unique, so you may need to experiment with these positions to discover which one works best for your little one. Remember to be gentle and patient, as how to burp a newborn effectively may take a few tries.
Tips for Burping Your Baby
Burping is not just about finding the right position; several additional tips can help make the process smoother and more effective.
Frequency Matters
If you're bottle-feeding, consider burping your baby every 2 to 3 ounces of milk. If you're breastfeeding, try burping each time you switch breasts. If your baby is prone to gas or spit-up, you may want to burp them more frequently, such as every ounce during bottle-feeding or every 5 minutes during breastfeeding. Being consistent with burping a newborn can significantly reduce discomfort and fussiness.
Watch for Signs
Pay attention to your baby’s cues. If they seem fussy or uncomfortable during feeding, pause and try to burp them. This can prevent further discomfort and make the feeding experience more pleasant for both of you. If you want to know whether your baby has gas, read our guide here.
Stay Upright
After feeding, keep your baby in an upright position for 10 to 15 minutes. This helps prevent milk from coming back up and reduces the chances of spit-up. For babies with gastroesophageal reflux (GER), keeping them upright for a longer period may be necessary.
Be Patient
If your baby doesn’t burp after a few minutes, try changing their position and continue burping for another few minutes. However, don’t worry if they don’t burp every time; as babies grow, they may not need to burp as frequently.
Nighttime Burping
Sometimes, babies may wake up due to gas. A quick burp session might help them settle back to sleep. This can be particularly useful for babies who are prone to gas or colic.
By following these tips and techniques, you can make burping a more comfortable and effective part of your baby’s feeding routine. Understanding how to burp newborn babies properly ensures that your little one is more comfortable, less gassy, and happier overall.
