Newborn babies often swallow air in addition to the formula or breast milk they consume. Burping a newborn helps her release the air that becomes trapped in her tummy. Without burping, your baby may become fussy, gassy or experience spit up, according to Kids Health. Bottle-fed babies may need more burping than breastfed babies because the faster flow of bottle nipples forces the baby to suck in air quickly. There are many acceptable methods of burping your newborn. Testing out different methods allows you to find one that works well for your baby.
Step 1
Watch for signs that your baby needs to burp during a feeding. This may include squirming, making a painful expression or hesitating to go back to the breast or bottle, according to Ask Dr. Sears.
Step 2
Sit in a comfortable, upright position. Keep at least one burp cloth handy in case your newborn spits up while you burp him.
Step 3
Find a position that works best for your baby. Hold her in an upright position against your chest, using one arm to support your baby and one arm to pat her back. Try sitting her up in your lap, using one hand to support her chin and head. Another option is to place her in your lap on her belly while supporting her head.
Step 4
Pat your hand gently onto your baby's back. Use a steady rhythm to help your baby burp and soothe him. Ask Dr. Sears recommends applying gentle pressure to your baby's tummy as you pat to help the baby burp.
Step 5
Change positions if she does not burp in the first few minutes. Repeat the burping process in the new position to help your baby expel trapped air. Wipe away spit up if your baby has any.
Step 6
Feed your baby more breast milk or formula if she is still hungry. Watch for the signs of needing to burp and stop the feeding session as necessary to burp her again.
Tips and Warnings
- Kids Health recommends burping your newborn after 2 to 3 oz. from a bottle. For breastfed babies, burp when you switch from one breast to the other. Your newborn may not burp every time.
