Burping your baby, or winding, is an important part of feeding. As your baby swallows, air bubbles can become trapped in their little tummy which can cause much uneasiness. Burping allows your baby to remove some of the gas to relieve the pain and helps prevent spitting up. Differing from baby to baby, some babies find it easy to burp, while others may need a little help.
When should you burp a baby?
There are no hard and fast rules on when your baby should be burped. Some babies need burping during feeding, and some after. So, how do you know if your baby needs a burp during or after feeding? Look for clues! If your baby looks uneasy while feeding, have a little burping break. If they seem fine, you can just wait until they have finished. Your cutie will let you know!
Signs of trapped gas
- crying
- arched back
- drawing legs to tummy
- clenching fists
How do you help your baby burp?
Here are three methods that many parents use. Try them all out and see what works best for your baby or try a combination.
1. Over the shoulder
- hold your baby upright with their head resting on your shoulder
- pat their back with your other hand (pro tip: cupping your hand slightly is gentler than a flattened palm)
2. Sitting on your lap
- sit your baby on your lap facing away from you while supporting the chin (do not put pressure on their throat area) and chest with one hand
- lean your baby forward slightly and gently rub or pat their back using your free hand
3. Lying across your lap
- rest your baby faced down on your lap
- supporting their chin (do not put pressure on their throat area), use your free hand to gently rub or pat on their back
If these techniques do not work and your baby still shows signs of trapped gas, try lying your baby on their back and gently massage their tummy. Try moving your baby's legs back and forth, like riding a bike. If this does not work, consult your baby's doctor for other alternatives.
A pro tip: Have a burp cloth or muslin square ready as your baby may spit some milk while burping. This is a normal occurrence and nothing to worry about.
Here are some washcloths that you can find on our site.
Akarana Baby Muslin Baby Washcloth
