Why am I, a baby and child sleep expert, talking to you about burping? Well, I believe in giving you all the tools I can to help you and your little ones be happy and healthy both day and night, and gassy babies are not happy ones!  

Whether they’re breastfed or bottle fed, babies swallow excess air while they’re feeding. This trapped air can make your little one feel very uncomfortable – either when it’s still in their windpipe or when it passes through to their digestive system. Some babies are champions at dealing with it themselves, but others need some help. Trapped air can even make them so uncomfortable that it affects their sleep. 

So should you burp your baby after every feed? Yes! In fact, taking a pause mid-feed is a good time to try as well as when they’ve finished feeding. Most of the time, your baby will burp within two to three minutes. If they don’t, that’s OK. 

There are a few different ways to burp your baby, but the way that I think is most effective looks like this:

1. Sit your baby upright on your lap with their legs hanging over yours.
2. Make a U-shape with your thumb and index finger on one hand and cup it under their chin to support their head and neck. This will also help you support them to sit up nice and tall.
3. Using your other hand, alternate between patting and gently rubbing their back in a circular motion.
4. Continue this for about two or three minutes. Your baby might burp, and they might not. If that’s the case, it’s OK to assume that they just don’t have any gas to expel and continue with their feed or the next part of your routine. 

As your baby gets older, you might both find it more comfortable to have them sit facing forwards with their legs hanging over yours so they can see what’s going on. They’re more likely to cooperate and less likely to wriggle this way too!   

The information in this Blog Article relates to healthy babies and children with no undiagnosed, untreated medical issues or concerns. If you have any concerns about the health of the baby or child in your care, please see their GP or paediatrician.

For more sensible, straightforward, safe advice and resources on getting your family the sleep you all deserve, explore my website – sleepbysteph.com.au