BY Sr Teresa Hayward (RN, RM, Lactation consultant, Infant & Paediatric Nutritionist, Baby Sleep Consultant)
Some babies fuss and get cranky during or after feeding. It can be that they have swallowed a bit of air during the feed, and its making them feel uncomfortably full. Burping them can make the feel better.
How to burp you baby
Try following these steps to help you successfully burp your baby:
· If baby stops sucking during the feed, then position then on your shoulder, face down on your lap or sitting up – if baby does not stop by themselves, then allow them to continue feeding – remember latching is what causes the ai
· Protect your clothes by always having a burp clothes between your clothes and baby
· Rub their back in circular motions upward, with a firmer motion on the left side upwards – do not pat – patting breaks air bubbles into smaller air bubbles and these often become the stubborn winds
Why do I need to burp my baby?
It is important to try and burp your baby after each feed, ever if they are sleeping. When your baby drinks, they often swallow a little air along with milk, especially during latching. These air bubbles can make them uncomfortable and feel full before they have really finished feeding.
If they are fussing during a feeding due to this discomfort, it will cause them to swallow more air, leading to crankiness and possibly spitting up. If they don’t fuss, then don’t stop feeding.
Always only burp for not longer than 2minutes, as burping for longer can result in reflux
What are the best positions for burping your baby?
There are 3 basic positions to burp your baby – on your shoulder, face down on your lap or sitting up. Try all 3 and find which one works for you – your might find over the shoulder works for you but sitting up works for your partner.
· On your shoulder – hold your baby firmly against your shoulder, supporting their bum with one hand, and rub their back with the other hand. I often find that positioning their tummy on your shoulder bone works well
· Face down on your lap – place baby tummy down across your lap with their stomach on one of your legs, her head on the other, turned sideways. With one hand securely holding baby, rub their back with the other
· Sitting up – hold baby in a seated position on your lap, leaning slightly forward, support baby’s head and chest with one arm while your rub their back with the other.
How often should I burp my baby?
You should burp your baby after every feed, for not longer than 2minutes. If they stop feeding or start to fuss during the feed, then you can burp during the feed.
What should I do if my baby doesn’t burp?
Some babies don’t swallow much air, and they simply aren’t frequent burpers. Some will pass their gas out the bottom, and don’t need to burp. If your baby isn’t a big burper, doesn’t seem bothered by winds, its nothing to be concerned about. Try wind for 2minutes, and if they’re happy contented and sleepy, then don’t worry.
How to burp a sleeping baby
Often a feed ends with your baby drifting off to sleep, and then getting them to burp can be tricky. It is still important to try and get that wind out, as baby may become uncomfortable as soon as put them down and will wake up or spit up
Best methods to burp a sleeping baby
Making your baby burp faster is the name of the game when they are sleeping, but the process is less about best method, but more about doing it gently and not waking them up.
· Over the shoulder is often the easiest when you want to burp a sleeping baby without waking them
· On your lap, but be aware they are more likely to spit up and wake up in this position
· Sitting up where you prop their sleepy head upright in a seated position
What happens if a sleeping baby doesn’t burp?
You don’t need to be concerned if your baby doesn’t burp. They will often just pass it out the other end. Sometimes they may spit up in their sleep, or they’ll wake up fussy and need to be burped.
A baby you hasn’t burped can be held upright for 15min after feeding. This will help to prevent them spitting up but will also ensure they are in a deep sleep. Sometimes this position will help them burp by themselves.
Burping your baby is time limited, most babies do not need to be burped after 3months
Importantly with burping, is to ignore the old wives tales, such as the tongue to the roof of the mouth is a wind – this actually means your baby is relaxed.
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