Herbie Murray
Many parents find themselves burping their baby after every feed, even if it means waking them up and struggling to get them settled again. This is because when babies are bottle-feeding or breastfeeding, they are inhaling air, and this air becomes trapped in the stomach. However, burping a baby can be challenging, especially when they are sleeping. It is possible to burp a sleeping baby without waking them completely, but each baby is different, and people may need to try various techniques. For example, you can try talking quietly and encouragingly or singing to your baby, which will relax and soothe them and may encourage them to burp.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Necessity of burping a sleeping baby | It is not necessary to burp a sleeping baby as their tummy can naturally release gas while sleeping. Research indicates that not burping a baby before sleep does not pose any additional risks. |
| Benefits of burping a baby | Burping a baby may help relieve discomfort after feedings and eliminate feelings of fullness. |
| Techniques to burp a sleeping baby | Keep the baby upright after feeding. Lean them against the upper chest with their head on the shoulder and pat their back gently. Use a baby wrap or sling to keep the baby in a semi-upright position. |
| Factors to consider | Each baby is different, and some may be sound sleepers, so different techniques may be required. |
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What You'll Learn
Techniques for burping a sleeping newborn
Burping a baby helps to get rid of air they swallow during feeding, which can cause discomfort and gassiness. While there are no rules on when to burp a baby, some need to be burped during their feed, while others need to be burped after. Here are some techniques to try to burp a sleeping newborn:
Over the shoulder
Hold your baby upright with their head resting on your shoulder. Support the head and shoulder area with one hand, and gently rub and pat their back with the other. Walking around while doing this might help. If this tends to wake the baby up, try a chest burp instead.
On your lap
Sit your baby on your lap facing away from you. Place your flat palm against their chest and support their chin and jaw, being careful not to put any pressure on the throat area. Lean them forward slightly and gently rub or pat their back with your free hand.
Lying across your lap
Lie your baby across your lap facing down. Support their chin without putting any pressure on the throat area, and use your free hand to gently rub or pat their back.
Upright
Turn the baby upright and lean them against your upper chest. Put one hand under their buttocks for support. Gently pat their back between their shoulder blades with an open palm, being firm but gentle. If patting does not work, try rubbing their upper back in circular motions. If you need to wake the baby up to continue feeding, lightly bouncing them while they are on the shoulder may help wake them while also bringing up a burp.
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The importance of burping a newborn before sleep
Burping a newborn is important to prevent them from experiencing discomfort due to trapped gas. When babies are bottle-fed or breastfed, they can often inhale air, which becomes trapped in their stomachs. This can cause pain and fussiness, and the baby may become irritable. Burping helps to release this trapped gas and provides relief to the baby.
However, it is important to note that not all babies need to be burped before sleep. Some babies may naturally release gas through burping in their sleep, as their weak lower esophageal sphincter allows for this. Additionally, research suggests that deliberate burping may not help reduce fussiness or crying for most babies and may even increase spitting up.
The decision to burp a sleeping baby depends on individual cases. If the baby seems comfortable and is sleeping soundly, it may not be necessary to wake them up for burping. However, if the baby has fallen asleep while feeding and seems uncomfortably full, burping them may help relieve their discomfort and keep them awake long enough to finish their meal.
There are various techniques to burp a sleeping baby without fully waking them. One method is to keep the baby upright and lean them against the upper chest, with one hand supporting their buttocks and their head resting on the shoulder. Gently patting the baby's back between the shoulder blades with an open palm can help encourage a burp. If patting does not work, trying circular motions with the palm on their upper back may be effective.
It is important to remember that each baby is different, and parents or caregivers may need to try different techniques to find what works best for their baby. While burping can provide relief from gas and discomfort, it is not always necessary, and the baby's comfort and sleep should be prioritized.
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How to prevent a newborn from swallowing air
Swallowing air is the number one cause of gas and colic in newborns. When a baby frantically cries from hunger, they tend to gulp and swallow more air than usual. This can cause discomfort and pain as babies struggle to move air through their digestive system effectively. The swallowed air must come out of the body, either through burps or hiccups, or it is passed through the stomach into the intestines.
To prevent a newborn from swallowing air, it is important to start feeding before the infant cries from hunger. Crying from hunger can cause frantic sucking, leading to more air-swallowing. Recognizing the early signs of hunger, such as finger-sucking, lip-smacking, or sobbing, can help you feed your baby before they get too hungry. If your baby is wide awake and crying, and it has been at least one or two hours since the last feeding, start another feeding.
When bottle-feeding, use a slow-flow nipple, especially for newborns. Fast-flow nipples may cause the baby to swallow more air. Angle the bottle to prevent air from getting into the milk or formula while feeding. You can also experiment with different nipples and bottle shapes to find what works best for your baby. Additionally, avoid bottles with air vents or lines, as these can retain air. Instead, opt for an air-free feeding system that allows you to expel air before feeding.
It is also recommended to feed your baby in an upright position. This helps prevent air-swallowing and makes it easier for the baby to force food into their stomach. After feeding, hold your baby upright for a few minutes to allow for extra burps.
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How to burp a sleeping newborn without waking them
Burping a baby can help relieve discomfort after feedings. As air travels upward, burping a baby usually requires them to be at least partially upright. However, burping a sleeping baby can be challenging as it usually causes them to wake up.
If your baby is comfortable, they may not need to burp, and you don't have to wake them up. If your baby is bottle-fed, look for specialist feeding bottles that eliminate air during feeding, thereby lessening the amount of air trapped in their tummy. You can also angle the bottle so that air is not getting into the milk or formula while feeding. If your baby is breastfed, they will need to be burped when you switch breasts and when the feeding is complete.
If you need to burp a sleeping baby, there are various ways to do so without waking them up, although no method is foolproof. Turn the baby upright and lean them against your upper chest. Put one hand under their bottom for support, and rest their head on top of your shoulder. Gently pat the baby's back between their shoulder blades with an open palm, being firm but gentle. If patting does not work, try rubbing their upper back in circular motions with your palm. If you need to wake the baby to continue feeding, lightly bouncing them while they are on your shoulder may help.
If you are concerned about your baby's comfort while sleeping, you can also try using a baby wrap or sling to let the baby sleep in a semi-upright position, allowing air bubbles to escape without any work from the parent or caregiver.
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What to do if your newborn doesn't burp
It is quite common for newborns to require burping after every feed to release air and prevent discomfort. However, if your newborn doesn't burp, there are several things you can try.
Firstly, it's important to remember that not all babies need to be burped, especially as they get older. Some babies simply don't take in a lot of air while feeding, and by around 4-6 months, most babies outgrow the need for burping. If your baby seems comfortable and doesn't show signs of gas pains, such as fussing, crying, or bringing their knees to their chest, you can stop trying to burp them.
If your newborn is showing signs of discomfort, you can try changing their position. Lay them across your lap, facing down with their belly across your legs, and gently pat or rub their back. You can also try applying gentle and firm upward pressure along their back. If one position doesn't work, try laying them down for a few seconds and then picking them back up, as this movement can help release trapped gas.
Additionally, you can try to prevent your newborn from swallowing too much air during feeding. When bottle-feeding, use a slow-flow nipple, especially for newborns, and angle the bottle to prevent air from getting into the milk or formula. During breastfeeding, burp your baby about halfway through the feed. After feeding, keep your baby upright for 10-15 minutes to prevent milk from coming back up. Using a baby wrap or sling can help your baby sleep in a semi-upright position, allowing air to escape.
If you're concerned about your baby's inability to burp or their discomfort, don't hesitate to reach out to a healthcare professional, such as your health visitor, for advice and support.
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Frequently asked questions
When babies are bottle-fed or breastfed, they can inhale air, which becomes trapped in their stomachs. Burping helps to release this air and can make the baby feel more comfortable.
Research indicates that there are no additional risks posed by not burping a baby before they fall asleep. In fact, deliberate burping to release excess gas does not help reduce fussiness or crying for most babies. However, if the baby does not release air through a burp after feeding, they may experience discomfort later.
There are several methods to try. You can keep the baby upright after feeding, using a baby wrap or sling to help them sleep in a semi-upright position, allowing air to escape without any effort from the caregiver. You can also try gently patting the baby's back between their shoulder blades or rubbing their upper back in circular motions.
Try talking quietly and encouragingly to your baby, or sing to them. This can help to relax and soothe them and encourage them to burp. If you are bottle-feeding, use a slow-flow nipple and angle the bottle to prevent air from getting into the milk or formula.
If your baby is comfortable and sleeping soundly, they may not need to burp. However, if they seem fussy or irritable, they may have trapped gas and need help burping.
