Here’s the 4-1-1 on Burping Your Baby
Burping your baby is an essential part of preventing gas, colic, and other tummy troubles. But what do you do if your baby falls asleep before you’ve had a chance to burp her?
The answer is: it depends.
If your baby is a newborn or has a history of gas or colic, it’s best to try to burp her even if she’s asleep. You can do this by gently rubbing her back or patting her bottom. If she doesn’t burp after a few minutes, don’t force it. Just let her sleep.
If your baby is older than 6 months and doesn’t have a history of gas or colic, you can probably skip burping her if she falls asleep. At this age, babies are able to burp on their own and don’t need as much help from you.
How to Burp a Sleeping Baby
If you do decide to try to burp your sleeping baby, here are a few tips:
- Be gentle. Don’t shake your baby or pat her too hard.
- Try different positions. Hold your baby over your shoulder, in your lap, or on her back.
- Use a burp cloth. This will help protect your clothes from any spit-up.
- Be patient. It may take a few minutes for your baby to burp.
When to Call the Doctor
If your baby is struggling to burp or is in pain, call your doctor. These could be signs of a more serious problem, such as reflux or a milk allergy.
Burping Your Baby: The Bottom Line
Burping your baby is an important part of preventing gas, colic, and other tummy troubles. But it’s not always necessary to burp your baby if she falls asleep. If your baby is a newborn or has a history of gas or colic, it’s best to try to burp her even if she’s asleep. If your baby is older than 6 months and doesn’t have a history of gas or colic, you can probably skip burping her if she falls asleep.
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Additional Tips and Tricks
- If your baby is breastfed, burp her after each feeding.
- If your baby is bottle-fed, burp her every 2-3 ounces.
- If your baby is fussy or gassy, try burping her more often.
- If your baby spits up a lot, try burping her more often and keeping her upright after feedings.
Pros and Cons of Burping Your Baby
Pros:
- Prevents gas, colic, and other tummy troubles
- Helps your baby to sleep more comfortably
- Can help to bond with your baby
Cons:
- Can be time-consuming
- Can be difficult to do if your baby is asleep
- Can be messy if your baby spits up
Tables for Burping Babies
| Age | How Often to Burp | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| 0-6 months | After every feeding | Hold your baby over your shoulder, in your lap, or on her back. |
| 6-12 months | Every 2-3 ounces | You can start to skip burping your baby if she’s not showing signs of gas or colic. |
| 12+ months | As needed | Most babies don’t need to be burped after this age. |
| Position | How to Do It | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Over the shoulder | Hold your baby over your shoulder with her chin resting on your shoulder. | Gently rub her back or pat her bottom. |
| In your lap | Sit your baby in your lap with her head resting on your chest. | Gently rub her back or pat her bottom. |
| On her back | Lay your baby on her back on your lap. | Gently rub her back or pat her bottom. |
| Common Problems | How to Fix Them | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Baby won’t burp | Try different positions. | Be patient. It may take a few minutes for your baby to burp. |
| Baby spits up | Burp her more often. | Keep her upright after feedings. |
| Baby is fussy or gassy | Burp her more often. | Try different positions. |
Strategies for Burping Your Baby
- Be consistent. Burp your baby after every feeding, even if she doesn’t seem to need it.
- Be patient. It may take a few minutes for your baby to burp.
- Be prepared for a mess. Your baby may spit up a little bit when she burps.
- Don’t force it. If your baby doesn’t burp after a few minutes, don’t force it. Just let her sleep.
Conclusion
Burping your baby is an essential part of preventing gas, colic, and other tummy troubles. But it’s not always necessary to burp your baby if she falls asleep. If your baby is a newborn or has a history of gas or colic, it’s best to try to burp her even if she’s asleep. If your baby is older than 6 months and doesn’t have a history of gas or colic, you can probably skip burping her if she falls asleep.
