When it comes to properly caring for, feeding and burping your baby, there are so many do’s and don’ts and best practices. It can be overwhelming. 

If you are a new mother learning how to burp your baby properly, the process can seem daunting. Erica Wilkerson, an international board certified lactation consultant and the owner of Your Black Breastie, is a big proponent to doing it properly. 

“Proper burping is essential,” Wilkerson told 21Ninety. “It is important to burp your baby for comfort as they can swallow air while feeding.”

There are many benefits to proper burping including aided digestion and comfortable sleep. Regardless of whether you bottle fed or breastfed, you must do it if they have swallowed air. 

“Swallowing air can lead to discomfort as a result of trapped gas,” Wilkerson said. “Burping helps relieve this discomfort.” 

It isn’t the only important factor after a feed. When you do not properly burp babies, the swallowed air can cause other issues, such as spitting up or reflux. Burping matters to the health and digestion of your little one.

How to Burp Your Baby 

To burp your baby, you can hold them upright with gentle pressure on their tummy. You also can burp them over your shoulder with their chin resting on your shoulder. Gently pat or rub your baby’s back. 

“There is no wrong way to burp your baby,” Wilkerson said. “If one doesn’t work, try another.”

Wilkerson suggests giving different burping positions a try. Try holding your baby upright and over your chest/shoulder, seated on your knee with a hand under the chin and armpits or belly down with gentle patting or a rub. She suggested checking out this Youtube video from Registered Nurse Yines Garcia-Taylor on burping tips and techniques. 

When it comes to how frequently to burp, it is important to consider how you are feeding the baby. You should burp a bottle-fed baby typically after they consume about two ounces and once feeding is complete. You should burp a breastfed baby halfway during a feed or between breasts. Wilkerson suggested that if your baby has a cleft, be sure to burp them more often as they tend to swallow more air. 

How Fast to Burp

As a mom, there are so many items on your to-do list. It makes sense if you want to speed up the burping process. However, Wilkerson explained that burping can sometimes take time as moms wait on trapped air to move up and out. She suggested the use of gravity, movement, and changing positions to aid in the process. 

“Ultimately, it’s important to be patient and allow the trapped air to release naturally,” she said.

What Happens if You Don’t Do It 

It is important to know that not all babies need to be burped. Wilkerson explained that some babies can release air naturally without discomfort. If you do not burp a baby who is experiencing trapped air, they can experience discomfort, sleep disturbances, feeding difficulties, regurgitation and increased risk of respiratory infection. 

“It is critical to observe your baby’s cues and respond,” she said. “This is the best way to navigate burping practices.”

As babies get older and their digestive systems mature, they will outgrow burping. As they master the suck-swallow-breathe skill, they will swallow less air during feedings, requiring less need for burping. 

Advice for Moms Struggling

There is no wrong way to burp your baby. In fact, not all need to be burped. 

“Spit up is absolutely normal,” Wilkerson said. “Switching positions, patting with enough pressure to relieve the air but not too much, and patience is necessary when struggling with burping a baby.”

If you are bottle feeding, check the flow of the nipple to ensure it is not too fast for the baby. If you need support, reach out to a lactation consultant regardless of your method of feeding. 

Wilkerson also encouraged moms who might be struggling to burp their babies to take it one step at a time and try not to stress.

“As babies grow, their digestive system matures and burping will be a thing of the past,” she said.