How To Burp a Newborn: A Guide for New Parents

Burping a baby is an essential part of feeding them. Babies tend to swallow air during feeding. If too much air accumulates, it can cause them to be uncomfortable and cranky. They are also more likely to spit up if their tummy is full of air.

This article explains how to burp a newborn safely and effectively.

THREE WAYS TO BURP YOUR BABY

There are multiple ways to help a baby burp. Three of the most common positions are explained below.

Baby Against Your Chest

• Sit upright or stand and hold your baby facing you, with their chest against yours and their chin resting on your shoulder.
• Support them with one hand and use your other to pat their back gently.

Baby Sitting Upright

• Put your baby in a sitting position on your lap.
• Support their chest and head by cradling their chin in your hand with the heel of your hand against their chest. Be sure you’re holding their chin and not putting pressure on their throat.
• Gently pat their back with your other hand.

Baby Lying on Your Lap

• Lay your baby across your lap on their tummy.
• Support their head and ensure it’s higher than their chest.
• Gently pat their back.

Experiment to see which method works best for your baby. Be sure to have a cloth handy, as babies often have “wet burps.”

WHEN TO BURP YOUR BABY

A good rule of thumb is to try burping your baby every two or three ounces from a bottle or when you switch breasts if breastfeeding. (For babies that spit up a lot, are gassy or have gastroesophageal reflux (GER), burping them after every ounce can be helpful.) If your baby gets fussy before you reach that point in their feeding, try burping them. Often, crankiness is a sign of air in their tummy.

You should burp your baby at the end of each feeding. If they don’t burp after a few minutes, try again in a different position.

If your baby wakes and seems uncomfortable, they may have gas in their tummy. Burping them can relieve it and help them go back to sleep.

As your baby gets older, they’ll learn not to swallow air when they feed, and you’ll no longer need to burp them. Often, that occurs between four and six months of age.

HOW TO REDUCE SPITTING UP AFTER FEEDINGS

It’s important to understand that it’s normal for babies to spit up occasionally. Still, you can reduce the likelihood of them spitting up by keeping them upright for 10 to 15 minutes after feeding.

This position assists the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is a muscle that acts as a valve to keep stomach contents from backing up. The LES can be underdeveloped and ineffective initially in newborns, so assistance from gravity is helpful.

GET ANSWERS ABOUT BABIES AND BURPING FROM BAPTIST HEALTH

Being a first-time parent can be intimidating, but we’re here to help. If you have questions about caring for your newborn, contact your Baptist Health provider. Before you know it, you’ll be parenting like a pro!

Don’t have a pediatrician? You can use our online directory to find one.

Next Steps and Helpful Resources