Getting your baby to burp is extremely to help get rid of the air that the baby might have swallowed during feeding. This story provides tips on burping a newborn.
The need for burping a baby arises, as babies tend to swallow air during feeds. This air gets trapped in the baby's stomach. Since babies cannot get this air out on their own, you need to burp them to release it. Gently tapping on their back generally helps force the air out of their system.
If you are unable to get your baby to burp, all that trapped air might cause a lot of discomfort to your baby. This will make your baby cranky and the long sessions of crying will leave both you and your baby exhausted.
Therefore, it is extremely important to learn effective ways for getting the baby to burp. So, if your baby doesn't burp easily, here are a few techniques that you can follow.
Positions to Burp a Baby
Shoulder Position
Mostly babies respond well to over-the-shoulder position. Babies are very delicate, which is why it would be best to keep a soft towel over your shoulder. With one hand, hold your baby's bottom and pat the baby's back with the other hand.
Make sure that your collarbone is pressed against your little one's stomach. Continue patting your baby's back, till the air is forced up and is released in the form of a burp.
Lap Position
If the shoulder position doesn't seem to help, you could try the lap position. Make your little one sit on your lap. Place your hand on your baby's chest and keep your fingers under your baby's chin. Rub the baby's back in a circular motion so that the gas is released.
Belly Position
Keep a soft towel over your lap. Place the baby on his/her belly in such a manner that her head is supported by one thigh, while the stomach rests on the other. Make sure that your baby is comfortable. Pat the baby's back in an upward circular motion. Continue to pat till the baby burps.
If your baby doesn't respond to any of these positions, you could try another method. Once you have fed your baby, stand and hold the baby in such a way that your baby's back is placed against your chest. Keep one of your hands over the baby's chest. Lean the baby slightly forward over your arm. Keep walking till the gas is released and the baby burps.
Tick Tock Method
You need to be in a standing position. Place your hands under your little one's armpits and use your fingers to support the baby's head. Let the baby's feet dangle, and hold the baby at your face level. Keep rocking the baby from one side to another.
As you rock them alternating between right and left side, the trapped air might be released in the form of a burp. You could also try massaging your baby's tummy to get rid of the gas.
A Few Tips
If your baby has been very cranky, make sure that you burp him/her more often.
If you are breastfeeding your baby, you should burp the baby, every time you switch breasts.
If you are using a bottle, you will need to burp the baby every few ounces.
Do not burp a baby while he/she is still hungry. Follow the aforementioned methods when your little one is not eating very quickly.
After the baby completes nine months, you might not need to continue burping your little one.
Generally, when the babies are able to sit on their own, they can burp on their own, but if that is not the case with your baby, you should continue burping your baby.