How to Burp a Baby Properly After Feeding (and 10 Common Burping Mistakes Parents Should Avoid)

Medical Disclaimer: This guide provides educational information based on pediatric care standards. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

 

As a new parent, you might not know how to burp a newborn. But it is important to understand the different techniques for burping if you don’t want your baby to be uncomfortable and in pain. Many people have the wrong assumption that burping a baby after feeding only means patting the baby on the back. But it is not as simple as it sounds.

 

In this guide, we will explain the best burping position for newborns and the 10 common mistakes parents make when they don’t know how to burp a newborn properly. When you understand these simple techniques, you will make the feeding experience peaceful and calm for both you and your baby.

 

Why Burping is Essential for Infants

It is important for parents to know why they have to burp a baby and why it is so important to do so after feeding. So, when the baby is feeding, they swallow air bubbles along with their milk. But since these little babies’ digestive system is still developing, these bubbles can get trapped inside and cause pressure and pain.

When you burp a baby, these trapped bubbles come to the top and can escape from the body. If you don’t burp a baby, then this trapped air pushes the milk back up and causes the baby to spit up the milk. By knowing how to burp a baby, you prevent this discomfort for your little one.

 

7 Effective Baby Burping Positions

To help the baby burp easily, there are some of the easiest baby burping positions you can try to relieve your baby's discomfort.

 

      1. Over the Shoulder: hug your baby and place them high enough on your shoulder so that your shoulder bone applies very light pressure on the baby’s tummy to move the gas. This is the best burping position for newborns as it applies very gentle pressure on the tummy.

 

      2. The Lap Sit: settle the baby on your lap and make them lean forward slightly. Support their shin and chest while patting them on the back. This is the best technique to burp those babies who have better head control.

 

      3. Over-the-Arm: if you have a baby that won't burp, you need to lay the baby face down along the forearm. The pressure of your forearm on your tummy can release that stuck gas.  

 

      4. The Hula Rotation: In this technique, you need to make the baby sit on your lap and move the baby’s torso in slow, gentle circles instead of patting.

 

       5. The Knee Bounce: make the baby sit on your knees and move your knees up and down. This Rhythmic vibration helps break up large bubbles.

 

       6. The Chest-to-Chest Upright: If you want to know the technique of how to burp a baby after breastfeeding, you should hold the baby to your chest, and this skin contact releases oxytocin that can relax the baby's digestive muscles.

 

       7. The Tummy Time Burp: For alert babies, you can put the baby on the floor for 2 minutes, as the floor's resistance can push the gas out naturally.

How to Burp Baby After Breastfeeding vs. Bottle Feeding

There are different techniques to burp a baby after breastfeeding and bottle feeding because of the feeding tool that is used to feed.

How to burp baby after breastfeeding: Breastfed babies swallow less air while feeding. So the best is to burp them gently before switching breasts. This ensures that there are no bubbles trapped before the second half of the meal.

How to burp baby after bottle feeding: Bottle-fed babies swallow more air while feeding, so it is ideal to burp them after every 2 to 3 ounces of milk. You should do a firm, cupped-hand pat on the back to burp the baby.

Pro Tip: In regular bottles, a "vacuum" (suction) forms that makes it hard for milk to come out. This forces the baby to gulp for air. Mubsie Silicone Bottles have a special vent that lets air into the bottle instead of the baby's tummy. This keeps the milk flowing smoothly so the baby doesn't swallow extra gas.

How Often Should You Burp a Baby?

Another common question a lot of new parents ask when they know the technique to burp a baby is how often should you burp a baby?

The most common frequency is to burp a baby during natural breaks between feeding and once after the feeding is complete.

In this table, we have given the exact frequency for both breastfed and bottle-fed babies.

Question	Do you need to burp a breastfed baby?	Do you need to burp a formula fed baby?
Frequency	When switching breasts	Every 2 to 3 ounces (60 to 90 ml)
Why?	They usually swallow less air at the breast	Bottle nipples can let more air in

 

Is it ok if baby doesn’t burp after feeding?

A common thing that confuses parents is whether it ok if the baby does not burp after every feed or if they should make them burp every single time.

The simple answer to that is to look at your baby’s mood. If your little one is calm or has fallen asleep comfortably after feeding. Then you should not force the baby to burp, as it can cause the baby to be overstimulated and can even cause the baby to spit up the milk.

What to do if Baby Doesn’t Burp and is in Pain

If you have a baby who won’t burp and is in pain, then the gas may have traveled lower in the digestive tract. You can help such a baby by doing "bicycle legs" or a clockwise tummy massage.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, if the baby spitting up after feeding burping, and it is green, then you should contact your pediatrician immediately.

 

10 Common Burping Mistakes Parents Make

If you are struggling with how long to burp a baby, it is often due to small mistakes that parents are making unintentionally. Correcting these 10 mistakes can help release trapped gas much faster.

1. Patting Too Low: Many parents pat the lower back. The infant's stomach is actually higher up, tucked under the left ribcage.
   
   
2. The "Crunched" Spine: Slumping the baby "pinches" the digestive tract. You need to make the baby's chest open and keep their arms out to give air a clear path up.  
   
   
3. Patting Too Lightly: Many parents are extra careful and only give soft, gentle pats that don’t make any vibration to move the bubbles up. Instead, you should use a firm cup of the hand on the back.
   
   
4. Giving Up Too Soon: Many parents give up after one minute. You should not give up too soon if your baby is fussy.
   
   
5. The "False Burp": There is a phenomenon called false burp. It means sometimes babies make a “pop” sound, but the larger air bubble is still trapped in their tummy. So you continue for a minute after that first sound.
   
   
6. Waiting for the Cry: Many parents only pay attention to the baby when he is crying, and the baby swallows more air when they are crying, so don’t wait to burp your baby until they are fussy or crying.
   
   
7. Feeding Too Fast: When you feed too fast, all of the gas gets trapped under the milk. Then it becomes harder to let the air out. It is recommended to burp the baby between feedings.
   
   
8. Using the Wrong Nipple Flow: When feeding a baby from a bottle, the parents don’t know the correct nipple size. If the flow is too fast for a newborn, then the baby can swallow air with the milk. That’s why choosing the right feeding bottle for a baby matters a lot.
   
   
9. Ignoring Body Language: baby’s body language often gets ignored, but it is one of the earliest signs of the baby being uncomfortable due to gas. So, you should not ignore when a baby is arching their back or pulling their legs to their chest.
   
   
10. Burping Too Aggressively: While the pats should be firm, you should avoid "thumping" or shaking the baby, as it can make the baby distressed.
    

Summary Table: Quick Fixes for Burping

 

The Problem	The Solution	Expert Insight
What to do if baby doesn’t burp	Switch positions immediately. Move from the shoulder to the "over the arm” method.	Shifting the baby's angle is more effective than harder patting.
How long to burp a baby	Try for 5–10 minutes. If no luck and the baby is happy, stop.	Forcing it on a peaceful baby can cause reflux.
Baby is arching and crying	Use the "Hula" rotation or bicycle legs.	Arching is a sign that the gas is lower in the intestines, not the stomach.
Baby is falling asleep mid-feed	Burp them before they get too deep into sleep.	A sleepy baby is harder to burp; do it while they are semi-alert.

 

 

FAQ: Quick Answers for Tired Parents

 

         How to burp a baby that won’t burp?

If the simple technique of patting on the back is not working, then you should switch the technique to hula rotation where you make a baby sit and move their torso gently to move the air.

         What to do if baby doesn’t burp and is in pain?

If the baby is not burping after the usual techniques, then it means the air has traveled lower in the intestines. That's when you need to do bicycle legs to move the gas through the intestines. 

          Is it ok if baby doesn’t burp after feeding at night?

Yes. It is okay if the baby does not burp after feeding at night because at nighttime, babies feed more calmly, which means they swallow less air. So, if they sleep calmly after feeding and are not fussy, then it is perfectly fine to let them sleep.

          Why is my baby spitting up after feeding and burping?

In newborns, the stomach is not fully developed. So, when they burp, the milk also comes out with the burp. This is common for babies till they are 6 months of age.

Conclusion: Learning How to Burp a Newborn

Every baby is unique, so when you are learning about how to burp a baby for the first time or trying out different burping positions for newborns, you should do it with patience. It is a long learning journey, and you should give yourself the time to understand your baby's needs for a calmer feeding experience.

If you want to prevent your baby from swallowing the extra air while feeding from a bottle, then you should invest in the Mubsie Silicone Bottle. These bottles are made to block the gas from entering your baby's tummy while feeding. When you avoid the above-mentioned burping mistakes and use the right bottle for your baby. You will make a comfortable feeding experience for your baby.