From Gassy To Happy: All You Need To Know About Burping Your Baby

All babies are pretty gassy when they’re newborns. Their digestive system and eating patterns aren’t mature yet, and they often swallow a lot of air during feeding sessions, especially if they are bottle-fed. Don’t fret - burping your baby is easy, so follow along for tips and tricks for getting your baby to release some of that extra air!

When should I burp my baby? 

Babies, especially newborns, tend to swallow a lot of air during feedings, and this can cause painful gas bubbles in their bellies. If you feed your baby from a bottle, be sure to burp your baby several times during the feeding (after every 1-2 ounces) to make sure your baby doesn’t become uncomfortable while eating. Of course, burping your little one again once he’s finished the bottle is helpful too. If your baby is breastfed, a good time to burp is when you switch your baby from one breast to the other during a nursing session. If your baby only eats from one side, burp halfway through the feeding session. Set a timer during each nursing session so you can get a good estimate of how many minutes into the session you’ll want to unlatch your baby to burp. 

Tip: If your baby doesn’t burp during the feeding session or at the end of a feeding session, that’s okay! Older babies learn to eat more efficiently and swallow less air. There are also certain bottles that are specially designed to alleviate gas pains by reducing the amount of air your baby takes in. Other babies pass gas instead of burping. You’ll soon learn your baby’s unique needs when it comes to burping! 

How do you hold a baby while burping? 

There are three main burping positions that work well with most babies - although you might come up with your own way that works just as efficiently! 

1. Over-the-shoulder. 

This is the most traditional burping method. Simply hold baby firmly against your shoulder, supporting her neck and bottom, while gently patting her back. Make sure you have a burp cloth or small towel on your shoulder to protect your clothes! 

2. Sitting up.

Some babies need to be more bent over to be able to burp. Sit your baby in your lap, supporting her head and neck with one hand, while gently patting or rubbing her back with the other. Lean your baby slightly forward to make burping even easier. 

3. Tummy down.

You can also try to lay your baby across your lap to burp. Position your baby sideways across your lap, with her head on one leg and her belly on the other. Gently pat her back until she burps. This position can put enough pressure on the belly for your baby to be able to release gas. 

Tip: Babywearing can also help your baby burp! Wearing your baby in a soft carrier, like the KeaBabies Baby Wrap Carrier, and walking around the house can help your baby release any trapped air bubbles that are bothering her tummy! 

What are some helpful accessories for burping my baby? 

The KeaBabies Baby Burp Cloths are the perfect gift for any new mom! These burp cloths come in packs of 5, and are available in 7 styles (Constellation, Sweet Charm, Pink Dreams, Soft White, Adventurer, Basics, and Grayscape). These patterns match many of our bandana bibs sets, so your baby’s outfit can coordinate well with the burp cloths, keeping your little one in style always. 

The burp cloths are made of three ultra-absorbent layers and are oh-so-soft. You’ll never have to worry about soiling your clothes after a burping session! Two layers of 100% organic cotton are cushioned by a high-quality fleece layer, which means these burp cloths will soak up any drool or spit-up from your little one. 

We know all parents do load after load of laundry, and the KeaBabies Baby Burp Cloths can be thrown in with your baby’s other accessories! Simply machine wash in cold water, and tumble dry on low heat (or hang them to dry). Be sure to use a mild detergent on your baby’s clothes so it doesn’t cause skin irritation. 

The KeaBabies Baby Burp Cloths are so absorbent, they can also be used to clean up any other messes your baby causes. From wiping up drool patches on your baby’s face during teething, to cleaning up spills and messes during meal times, these burp cloths are useful for a variety of purposes. Be sure to always keep a few in the diaper bag - they fold easily for travel! 

Follow these tips and tricks to make burping your baby a breeze! It can be so painful for a baby’s tiny belly to have trapped air, so perfecting your burping routine can ease a lot of feeding troubles! 

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Parenting is awesome. Sleep is overrated. Every day is an adventure.