How should you burp your baby?

Most of us know that uncomfortable, tight feeling when air gets trapped in the stomach while eating. It’s a perfectly natural phenomenon in adults – and in babies too. The point of burping is to help those trapped air bubbles escape, which we can encourage for baby in certain positions.

When might burping be needed? 

Whether your baby is breastfeeding, or drinking from a bottle or cup, it’s a good idea to burp them after feeds so the swallowed air can come out. That way, the air won’t travel through the intestines and cause discomfort. If your little one tends to swallow a lot of air, try pausing to burp them a few times during a feed as well.

You may also notice signs such as restlessness, arching and wriggling, or crying that isn’t typical for them. In these moments, consider that trapped air might be pressuring their tummy – pick them up and try to burp. Babies prone to tummy pain can find the pressure of swallowed air especially hard going, so they often need extra-patient burping.

The correct burping technique is simple

For newborns, it can be safer than the traditional over-the-shoulder method to bring baby upright against your chest, positioning them so you can see their face from the side or front. With secure head and body support, you can burp in this position too – you’re almost cradling them all around and staying in close contact. The key is a vertical posture and being able to see them in case of any spluttering.

From around 3 months, the method many of us use is recommended: after breastfeeding – or even during feeds for babies who swallow lots of air – slowly lift baby and, with their tummy facing you, rest their chest on one shoulder. Support their bottom with one hand. It’s a stable position and easy to hold. Pop a muslin over your shoulder first, as a little milk may come up with the air. In this position you can’t see baby’s face, so you may be less aware if they splutter.

Most mums soon get into a routine of burping after each feed, knowing it can be the key to calmer rest and sleep. When a burp comes varies hugely – sometimes it’s almost immediate, other times it takes 10–15 minutes, and occasionally you’ll just be waiting… and waiting.

Still no burp? 

Gently stroking baby’s back in slow circles can help the air escape. You can also press their tummy a little more firmly against your shoulder – carefully – to free the bubbles. The gentle touch is usually pleasant for babies and many enjoy burping – not only because of the cuddle, but because, over time, they learn burping brings relief from that tight feeling.

You can also rock them lightly, as if you were dancing – very gently. These movements relax your baby, their muscles, stomach and oesophagus – the whole body, really. While rocking, you can hold baby more horizontally for a bit; this can help deeper air move up. After a short sway, bring them back onto your shoulder so the air can rise and escape.

Bear in mind that not every feed ends with a burp. Sometimes they simply don’t swallow much air, nod off, and sleep peacefully. If baby falls asleep while feeding, there’s no need to wake them just to burp – you can try after they wake.

Burp to help ease tummy pain 

Some babies eat greedily and swallow lots of air. Trapped air can cause strong tummy pressure and pain. Babies who tend to swallow air may benefit from burping during feeds so the air can escape. Why is this helpful?

If baby is feeding too fast, or doesn’t latch well at the breast, or – during bottle feeds – the teat hole is too large, they can gulp a lot of air. Milk and air then layer in the stomach, making spontaneous release harder. Just as in adults, this pressure can be very uncomfortable. They may be restless, cry, or start hiccuping. If you help them release the air by burping, the problem is usually solved.

The more air a baby swallows, the more milk-and-air layers build up, and the harder it is to free air from the lower layers. To prevent this layering, burp occasionally during feeds – for example, when switching breasts. It can also help to breastfeed in a position where baby isn’t fully horizontal, but with the head and chest higher – this encourages air to rise.

If baby is crying, wait for them to calm first – crying can lead to swallowing even more air.

Spit-up during burping? 

Yes – sometimes the air surges up and baby brings up quite a bit of milk with it. This can also happen if baby has over-eaten. You might notice it when moving baby, during changing, or when they roll onto their tummy. Habitual posseting can also occur if the breast is over-full.

Spit-up isn’t an illness – it’s a natural protective response – but do keep an eye on the amount. Small amounts are not a concern; if your baby clearly vomits, or the fluid is curdled and unpleasant-smelling, see your GP. It’s also a problem if large, frequent spit-ups mean baby isn’t gaining weight as expected.

If hiccups bother your baby 

Some babies get hiccups quite often. It doesn’t cause them a problem – it’s usually parents who worry. Hiccups can be linked with greedy, fast feeding and air swallowing, so burping after feeds can help hiccups settle – or prevent them altogether.
We’ve written a full article on baby hiccups – if that sounds useful, have a read: [baba csuklásáról].

Once your child reaches the crawling and cruising stage and is more active, burping is no longer necessary.

Sources:

NHS – Burping your baby (breastfeeding) – positions and when to burp.

NHS – How to burp your baby (bottle feeding) – positions and practical tips.