How to get a baby to burp
Suddenly, your baby gets all tense, then delivers a burp worthy of a teenager – after which their little body relaxes. Most babies need to burp when or after they eat. We tell you why and give you some tips on how to help your baby burp.
When babies eat, they often get air into their little tummies, so it’s a good idea to try burping after breastfeeding or bottle feeding. A good burp reduces the risk of stomach pains, as otherwise the air can travel down to the intestines and cause tummy aches. It is often possible to recognise that it may be time for a burp, for example your little one may feel unsettled and distressed, or full even though they don’t seem to have eaten much.
Help your baby not to swallow too much air
If you have a small baby who seems to need to burp a lot, it may be worth trying to reduce the amount of air they take in, so that there are fewer burps. Here are four tips on how to do this:
- If your baby is breastfed, it’s a good idea to make sure he or she has an adequate latch on the breast, as this allows less air to enter. Also, sometimes nipple shields can cause the baby to swallow more air, so try alternating between with and without if you can.
- With a breastfeeding baby, you can also try varying the breastfeeding position and see if it helps, perhaps a more upright position will do the trick.
- For bottle-fed babies, you might want to try using a bottle with an air vent.
- If you have a baby who eats fast and swallows a lot and quickly, try taking breaks in feeding from time to time – they may need to burp before continuing.
How do you burp a baby?
As mentioned, not all babies swallow a lot of air while eating and therefore not all babies need to burp. But it might be worth trying to get your baby to burp if you find that they feel restless after mealtimes. Here are some tips on how to burp your baby:
- Hold your baby in an upright position and the burp will usually come out on its own. However, carrying your baby too high, over your shoulder, can make it harder for air to escape.
- You can also try carrying the baby against you, with baby’s face resting on your shoulder.
- Gently pat their bottom and stroke the baby’s back – this will help them to relax and burp more easily.
If your baby continues to be unhappy after meals – or loses weight – it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider to rule out other reasons why your baby seems to have a tummy ache.
Please note that all information above is based on Swedish recommendations.
