Loading ...Feeding your baby for the very first time is an exciting experience. It can also be a little intimidating if you don’t know what to expect. So here’s a quick guide to one important aspect of feeding: burping.
During feeds, babies tend to swallow air. This is especially true if your baby does not latch on properly to your breast during feeds, causing him to take in mouthfuls of air. Burping your baby will help him get rid of some of the air swallowed. If babies aren’t burped frequently, it will lead to spitting up or vomiting, crankiness and gassiness in some babies. A colicky baby can also develop gas by swallowing too much air during crying spells, making your baby even more uncomfortable.
How to Burp Your Baby
There is no need to pound hard on your baby’s back, instead repeated gentle patting on your baby’s back should do the trick. Place a towel or a bib under your baby’s chin to prevent messy cleanups when your baby spits up or has a “wet burp”.
You may also want to experiment with different positions for burping that are comfortable for you and your baby. Many parents prefer to use one of these three methods:
Sit upright and hold your baby against your chest. Your baby’s chin should rest on your shoulder as you support his or her head and back with one hand. With the other hand, gently pat your baby’s back. Sitting in a rocking chair and gently rocking with your baby while you do this may also help.
Hold your baby sitting up, in your lap or across your knee. Support your baby’s chest and head with one hand by cradling your baby’s chin in the palm of your hand and resting the heel of your hand on your baby’s chest (but be careful to grip your baby’s chin – not throat). Use the other hand to pat your baby’s back gently.
Lay your baby on your lap on his or her belly. Support your baby’s head and make sure it’s higher than his or her chest. Gently pat your baby’s back.
If your baby seems fussy while feeding, stop the session, burp your baby, and then begin feeding again. Try burping your baby every 2 to 3 ounces (60 to 90 milliliters) if you bottle-feed and each time you switch breasts if you breastfeed. If your baby doesn’t burp after a few minutes, change the baby’s position and try burping for another few minutes before feeding again. Always burp your baby when feeding time is over.
For the first 6 months or so, keep your baby in an upright position for 10 to 15 minutes (or longer if your baby has gastroesophageal reflux) after feeding to help prevent the milk from coming back up. But don’t worry if your baby spits up a few times. It’s probably more unpleasant for you than it is for your baby.
Sometimes your baby may awaken because of gas – simply picking your little one up to burp might put him or her back to sleep. As your baby gets older, you shouldn’t worry if your child doesn’t burp during or after every feeding. Usually, it just means that your baby has learned to eat without swallowing excess air.
Also watch “How to Burp a Baby” on video.
