Burping helps release air swallowed during feeding, reducing discomfort, spit-up, and gas in newborns. There are a few effective burping methods:
Over-the-shoulder: Hold your baby upright with their chin resting on your shoulder. Gently pat or rub their back.
Sitting upright: Sit baby on your lap, support their chest and head with your hand, and gently pat their back.
Lying across your lap: Lay baby tummy-down across your knees and gently pat their back.
Burping isn’t always necessary after every feed, especially if your baby seems content. But it’s helpful to try mid-feed and after feeds, especially if bottle feeding or dealing with a fast let-down.
A lactation consultant can assess feeding techniques to minimize air intake and recommend the best burping strategies for your baby. Sometimes, frequent burping signals latch issues, which are best addressed with expert breastfeeding support.