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Burping is an essential part of feeding your baby, especially in the early months when they spend most of the time lying on their back. But let’s start at the beginning.
What is a Burp?
A burp is the release of air from your baby’s stomach through the mouth. When feeding, babies often swallow some air along with milk. This air gets trapped and without burping, it can cause discomfort, spit-up, and even colic. Burping helps release this air, preventing the baby from feeling too full or experiencing gas pains. Burping a baby is required till your baby can sit up for short durations on his own as this will help release any air trapped in the stomach.
Burping is an activity that your husband too can take over, especially if you are feeling tired after feeding your baby.
Burping Positions to Try
There are several burping positions that new parents can try. It’s a good idea to experiment with different methods to see which one works best for your baby.
- Over the Shoulder
This is a classic burping position and is often the most effective. Here’s how to do it:
Hold your baby upright against your chest, with their chin resting on your shoulder.
Use one hand to support their bottom, and gently pat or rub their back with the other hand.
- Sitting Up on Your lap
This position is great for babies who can hold their head up with some support. Here’s how to do it:
Sit your baby on your lap, facing away from you.
Use one hand to support their chest and head by placing your palm against their chest and your fingers gently cradling their chin.
Lean your baby slightly forward and gently pat or rub their back with your other hand.
- Lying Across Your Lap
If your baby prefers to be on their tummy, this position may work well:
Place your baby face-down across your lap, so their tummy is resting on your thighs.
Support their head and neck, making sure it is slightly higher than their chest.
Gently pat or rub their back to encourage the release of air.
Patting vs. Rubbing: Which is Better?
Both patting and rubbing are effective ways to help your baby burp. Patting should be done gently but firmly, with a rhythmic motion to encourage the air to come up. Rubbing, on the other hand, involves making circular motions with your hand along your baby’s back, which can also help release trapped air.
How Long Should You Hold the Baby in a Burping Position?
After feeding, it’s recommended to keep your baby in an upright position for 3-5 minutes, even if they don’t burp right away. This helps keep the milk down and prevents spit-up. If your baby doesn’t burp after this time, don’t worry. Some babies simply don’t need to burp as much as others. However, if your baby seems fussy or uncomfortable, try burping them again later.
Use a Burp Cloth or a disposable Wipe
Babies often spit up a little milk along with air, so it’s helpful to use a burp cloth or a disposable wipe to protect your clothes and keep your baby clean.
Burping is a simple but important part of your baby’s feeding routine. Remember, every baby is different so try different burping positions and techniques to see which works best for you and your baby.
By
Sonali Shivlani
Sonali Shivlani is a pregnancy and parenting consultant with over 20 years of experience. As the founder of Baby360degrees – www.baby360degrees.com, she offers both online and offline pregnancy and parenting classes, and is a visiting consultant at PD Hinduja Hospital and Women’s Hospital, Khar, Mumbai. Sonali is also the Executive Director of CAPPA India, a training institute which trains and certifies birth professionals across the country. She has authored multiple books, serves on the expert panel of several parenting websites and has been a guest speaker at national and international events and conferences.
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