Babies often swallow air while feeding, which can make them uncomfortable. This happens with breastfed/chestfed and bottle-fed babies. Burping helps get rid of air that the baby has swallowed. Burp your baby:
- Part-way through the feed and then again after feeding.
- When they seem uncomfortable.
- When breastfeeding/chestfeeding when/if you switch sides during feeding.
- More often if the baby has problems with gas or spitting up.
Signs that your baby may need to burp:
- arches the back
- gets fussy or cranky
- pulls away from the bottle
- slows or stops sucking
Did you know?
Crying babies swallow a lot of air which can cause discomfort and spitting up. Watch your baby for hunger cues and feed before they are hungry to prevent crying.
To Burp a Baby
- Place the baby in an upright position. See the pictures below for good burping positions.
- Gently rub or pat baby’s back with a cupped hand. The baby will not always burp each time you do this. Wait a few minutes and try again.
- Sometimes formula or breastmilk/chest milk comes up with the air when the baby burps. A clean face cloth, cloth diaper or bib can help keep you and the baby clean during burping.
To help the baby swallow less air during bottle feedings:
- Make sure the formula is not too hot or too cold.
- Sit the baby upright in your arms when feeding.
- See our page Bottle-Feeding 101 for tips on bottle-feeding.
Most babies burp on their own after two months of age.
Try These Positions to Burp Your Baby
Hold your baby upright over your shoulder
Place your baby on their stomach across your lap.
Hold your baby in a sitting position on your lap. Your baby should be leaning slightly forward with your hand supporting the jaw.
