Burping, an important aspect of feeding an infant, helps to get rid of some of the air that babies tend to swallow during their feeds. In some babies, not being burped frequently and too much swallowed air can lead to spitting up, crankiness, and gassiness.
How to Burp Your Baby
When burping your baby, repeated gentle patting on your baby’s back should do the trick — there’s no need to pound hard. To prevent messy cleanups when your baby spits up or has a “wet burp”, you might want to place a towel or bib under your baby’s chin or on your shoulder.
Try experimenting with different positions for burping that are comfortable for you and your baby. Many parents prefer to use one of these three methods:
- Sit upright and hold your baby against your chest. Your baby’s chin should rest on your shoulder as you support the baby with one hand. With the other hand, gently pat your baby’s back. Sitting in a rocking chair and gently rocking with your baby while you do this may also help.
- Hold your baby sitting up, in your lap or across your knee. Support your baby’s chest and head with one hand by cradling your baby’s chin in the palm of your hand and resting the heel of your hand on your baby’s chest (but be careful to grip your baby’s chin, not throat). Use the other hand to pat your baby’s back gently.
- Lay your baby on your lap on his or her belly. Support your baby’s head and make sure it’s higher than his or her chest. Gently pat your baby’s back till you hear the burp.
