subject: Burping and Babies: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions [print this page] Burping and Babies: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
Why does a baby need burping?
Babies need burping because they frequently swallow air when nursing. That air can be uncomfortable, causing gas, spitting up and crankiness. When you burp a baby, you are causing that air to be expelled, thus relieving the child's discomfort. Interestingly enough, babies who take formula from a bottle need more burping, since they cannot regulate the flow of milk as comfortably as they can when nursing. So they swallow more air when they are feeding. In fact, before baby bottles were invented, burping a baby was not at all as common.
To help prevent babies from swallowing too much air, try feeding your baby in an upright position, and make sure he or she stays in the upright position for a few minutes after. Just like in adults, this upright position makes the intake and digestion of food easier.
How can you tell if your baby needs burping?
If your baby is irritable, frowning, spitting up or fussy, it could be that he or she needs burping. A good rule of thumb for when to burp your baby is this: Burp your baby every two to three ounces if you bottle feed or when you switch breasts if you breastfeed. If your baby has gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), spits a lot or is frequently fussy during nursing, you might want to try burping your baby more frequently perhaps after every ounce of milk if using a bottle or every five minutes if breastfeeding.
What does it take to burp a baby?
Burping a baby takes a little patience, a comfortable chair, a soft shoulder, knee or tummy, and perhaps a small cloth to protect your clothing in case your little one spits up. And don't worrythe spitting up milk part is quite harmless and natural, though perhaps a little bit of a nuisance to the person doing the baby burping.
What's the best way to burp a baby?
Opinions differ between mothers and pediatricians, but here are few of the most common ones.
In the Classic Baby Burping position, the adult places a soft protective cloth on their shoulder, then gently holds the baby against themselves, with the little one's tummy against the collar bone. Press the baby close, making small circles on his or her back with the hand and gently pat until the baby burps.
With the Chin Cradle position, you gently place your hand across the baby's chest and cup the head with its chin resting between your thumb and index finger. With your free hand, gently rub or pat the baby as it leans against the hand, and continue until it burps.
You might also want to try the Lying Down position. In this one, you place the baby on your lap, with the chin on one thigh and the tummy on the other. Using an upward and circular motion, gently pat the baby's back until there's a burp.
With the Walking Burp, the baby is nestled with its back against your chest and your arm under its ribcage. Next, walk around slowly, leaning the baby over your arm until he or she burps.
To master the Rotating Burp, hold the baby, sitting up on your lap, and bend him or her forward from the waist. Pat or rub your baby's back, as you slowly and gently rotate the body 360 degrees from the waist. Bend at the waist, stretch forward, and then roll around to the right. Continue rolling until you are leaning backwards, then roll to the left and front again. Repeat. This method usually produces quick results, but try another if the baby objects.
Whatever method you choose, remember that burping the baby is one of those experiences that bonds the mother, daddy, aunt, uncle, grandmother or grandfather to the little one like few other times can.
Consider this: Not only does it make the baby feel better, it makes you feel something special too!
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