How To Burp A Baby
Burping is an important part of breastfeeding a baby. To burp a baby is a way to eliminate some of the air babies swallow. Babies can become cranky and gassy if they are not purged regularly or swallow too much air.
How to burp your baby
Repeated gentle patting of your baby’s back after burping should be enough. Patting gently with your hand is gentler than flat palms. You can prevent messy cleanups from your baby’s “wet burp” or spit up by placing a towel or cloth under or on your shoulders. You can try different positions to burp, depending on how comfortable they are for you and your baby. These are the three most popular methods used by parents.
- Lie down and support your baby with one hand. Gently pat your baby’s head with the other hand. This may help you to relax and rock with your baby in a rocking chair.
- Place your baby on your back, either in your lap, or across your knees. Keep your baby upright by supporting his chest with one hand and cradling his chin in the palm. Place your heel on your baby’s chest. But be sure to not grab the throat. You can pat your baby’s head with the other hand.
- Place your baby on your stomach on your back. Make sure your baby’s head is higher than your chest. Gently pat your baby’s back.
Stop feeding your baby if they become fussy. Burp them and then feed again. If you are a bottle-feeder, you should burp your baby every 2-3 ounces (60-90 milliliters) and every time you change breasts if breast-feed.
How To Burp a Breastfed Baby
If your baby is breast-feeding, burp your baby every ounce or every five minutes while breastfeeding.
- Gassy tends to be a common trait
- Spit a lot
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- seems fussy during feeding
If your baby stops burping after a few moments, you can change his position and continue to burp for a few more minutes before feeding again. When your baby is finished eating, burp him or her again. Keep your baby upright for at least 10 to 15 minutes after you have finished feeding. If your baby spits up, or has GERD, then keep them up for a longer time.
Don’t be alarmed if your baby occasionally spits. It is probably more bothersome for you than for your baby. Gas can sometimes cause your baby to wake up. Your baby might fall asleep if you pick him or her up to burp. Don’t be alarmed if your baby doesn’t urinate during or after each feeding. It is usually a sign that your baby has learned how to eat without swallowing extra air.
Baby with colic (more than 3 hours per day of continuous crying) may have gas due to their baby absorbing too much air during cry spells. This can cause the baby to feel even more uncomfortable. Anti-gas drops have not been proven to be an effective method to treat colic and gas. Some of these medicines may be dangerous.
Note
Not burping can cause your newborn baby to cry, because of the gas that he swallowed while eating.
