How to Burp a Newborn

Every baby needs to burp after they eat or they will get a trapped air bubble and indigestion discomfort. But getting a baby to burp every time is not so easy. Try these steps to successfully burping your newborn.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Right after feeding baby, hold him over your shoulder with his stomach facing you and his body relaxed with legs dangling down. Rub his back in an upward motion and/or pat on his back firmly until he burps.

2. After feeding baby, sit him on your lap and lean his chin into your hand. Rub gently upward and/or pat back firmly.

3. Many new parents make the mistake of tapping too lightly. Do not be afraid to pat your baby on the back with some assertion. Of course do not do it so hard that you hurt him. You will hear many times after you have a baby that they are not as fragile as you think. This is true.

4. Sometimes you can not hear your baby burp even though they do. If you are patting him on his back for a long time, about five minutes, and there is no burp in sight, don't be concerned. It is possible that they burped and you did not hear it or they may burp later on. Lay him down and if he begins to fuss, try burping him again.

Tips & Warnings

• When you have the baby, ask your midwife, nurse or doctor to demonstrate for you how to burp the baby.
• Never shake a baby.

[WS2008]

on 7/31/2008 Having read this I'm really worried about what I've done to burp him. I may have patted him too hard. He is wheezing and appears to have trouble breathing when he's asleep. What should I do am I over reacting?