Bringing a newborn home is a joyous yet challenging experience. Among the many tasks new parents must master is learning how to burp a newborn that won’t burp. Burping is essential for newborns as it helps release the gas that accumulates in their stomachs during feeding. This process can prevent discomfort, colic, and even sleep disturbances. However, sometimes a newborn just won’t burp easily, leaving parents worried and frustrated. This blog post aims to provide you with a detailed guide on how to burp a newborn that won’t burp, complete with tips, techniques, and troubleshooting advice.
Why Burping is Important
Newborns tend to swallow air while feeding, whether they are breastfed or bottle-fed. This air can become trapped in their tiny stomachs, causing discomfort and leading to fussiness, spitting up, or colic. Burping helps to expel this trapped air, making your baby feel more comfortable and reducing the likelihood of these issues.
How to Burp a Newborn That Won’t Burp: Techniques and Tips
1. Try Different Burping Positions
If your baby won’t burp using one position, it might help to try another. Here are three effective burping positions:
Over-the-Shoulder Burping
- Hold your baby against your chest, with their chin resting on your shoulder.
- Support their bottom with one hand and gently pat or rub their back with the other.
- Walk around or gently sway to help the burping process.
Sitting on Your Lap
- Sit your baby on your lap, supporting their chest and head with one hand.
- Use your other hand to pat or rub their back.
- Ensure your baby is leaning slightly forward to help the air rise and escape.
Lying on Your Lap
- Lay your baby face-down across your lap.
- Support their head, ensuring it is higher than their chest.
- Gently pat or rub their back.
2. Patience is Key
Burping can sometimes take a while. If you’re wondering how to burp a newborn that won’t burp, patience is crucial. Give it time, and try not to get frustrated if your baby doesn’t burp right away. Sometimes it can take up to 5-10 minutes for a baby to burp.
3. Use Gentle Pressure
Applying gentle pressure to your baby’s stomach can help release trapped air. While holding them in one of the burping positions, you can use your hand to apply light pressure to their tummy. This can help move the gas up and out.
4. Try Tummy Time
Tummy time is not only great for strengthening your baby’s neck and shoulder muscles but can also aid in burping. Lay your baby on their tummy for a few minutes. This position can help the air move out of their stomach. Always supervise your baby during tummy time to ensure they are safe and comfortable.
5. Massage Your Baby’s Tummy
A gentle tummy massage can also help if you’re figuring out how to burp a newborn that won’t burp. Here’s how:
- Lay your baby on their back.
- Gently massage their tummy in a clockwise direction.
- You can also move their legs in a bicycling motion to help release trapped gas.
6. Check Feeding Techniques
Sometimes, the way your baby feeds can cause them to swallow more air. Ensuring a proper latch during breastfeeding or checking the bottle’s nipple size can help reduce the amount of air your baby swallows. If your baby is bottle-fed, try using an anti-colic bottle designed to minimize air intake.
7. Use Burp Cloths or Bibs
Always have a burp cloth or bib handy. Burping can sometimes lead to spitting up, and it’s best to be prepared. Position the cloth under your baby’s chin or on your shoulder to catch any spit-up that might occur during burping.
8. Burp Mid-Feed
Instead of waiting until after the feeding session to burp your baby, try burping them halfway through the feeding. This can help reduce the amount of air in their stomach and make it easier to get a burp out.
9. Ensure Proper Posture
Maintaining the right posture while burping is essential. Ensure your baby’s head and neck are supported and their back is straight. This alignment helps the air to move up and out of their stomach more efficiently.
10. Stay Calm and Relaxed
Babies can sense stress and tension. If you’re feeling anxious about how to burp a newborn that won’t burp, try to stay calm and relaxed. Your baby will likely be more comfortable and cooperative if you’re calm.
Troubleshooting: When Your Baby Still Won’t Burp
Despite your best efforts, there may be times when your newborn still won’t burp. Here are some additional strategies and things to consider:
1. Consider Your Baby’s Diet
If you’re breastfeeding, certain foods in your diet might be contributing to your baby’s gas. Common culprits include dairy, caffeine, and spicy foods. Consider keeping a food diary to identify any patterns between your diet and your baby’s discomfort.
2. Evaluate the Formula
For bottle-fed babies, the type of formula you’re using might be causing excess gas. Speak to your pediatrician about possibly switching to a formula designed for sensitive stomachs or one that reduces gas.
3. Reassess Feeding Schedule
Feeding your baby smaller amounts more frequently can help reduce the amount of air they swallow. Overfeeding can lead to more trapped air and discomfort.
4. Consult a Pediatrician
If your baby consistently has trouble burping and appears to be in discomfort, it’s important to consult your pediatrician. They can check for underlying issues such as reflux or allergies that might be contributing to the problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I burp my newborn?
It’s generally recommended to burp your newborn during and after each feeding. For breastfed babies, this might mean burping between switching breasts. For bottle-fed babies, burping halfway through and after feeding is a good practice.
What if my baby spits up a lot during burping?
Spitting up is common and usually not a cause for concern unless your baby is not gaining weight or seems to be in pain. Keep a burp cloth handy, and try to keep your baby upright for 20-30 minutes after feeding to help reduce spit-up.
Can burping too much harm my baby?
Burping is a gentle process, and as long as you’re not patting too hard or being too forceful, it won’t harm your baby. If you’re concerned about how to burp a newborn that won’t burp, remember that gentle techniques are key.
Are there any signs that my baby needs to be burped?
Signs that your baby might need to be burped include fussiness, squirming, pulling away from the bottle or breast, or arching their back during feeding. These can indicate that they have trapped air that needs to be released.
What if my baby falls asleep while feeding?
If your baby falls asleep during feeding, you can still try to burp them by holding them upright against your shoulder and gently patting their back. Some babies will burp even while sleeping.
Conclusion
Learning how to burp a newborn that won’t burp can be a challenging but essential skill for new parents. Burping helps to alleviate discomfort and prevent gas buildup, ensuring your baby is more comfortable and happy. By trying different burping positions, being patient, and using gentle techniques, you can successfully burp your newborn and make feeding times more pleasant for both of you.
Remember, every baby is different, and what works for one might not work for another. It’s important to stay calm, be patient, and try various methods to see what works best for your little one. If you continue to have difficulties or concerns, don’t hesitate to consult your pediatrician for personalized advice and support. With time and practice, you’ll become adept at how to burp a newborn that won’t burp, ensuring a more comfortable experience for your baby and peace of mind for yourself.
