How to Burp a Baby

Burping a baby can reduce spitting up and relieve bloating caused by swallowed air. Here are some tried-and-true methods.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Plastic Sheet Or Old Towel

1. 

   Put a clean towel, cloth diaper or receiving blanket over your shoulder or wherever your baby's head will rest.

2. Position the baby over one shoulder with his stomach against your chest and with his head resting on your shoulder.

3. Gently pat your baby on the back and rub it in a circular motion until he burps.

4. 

   Try the 'bulldoggy burp.' Place one hand across the baby's chest, supporting his chin with your thumb and index finger. Lean your baby across that support hand and gently pat or rub his back with your free hand.

5. 

   Opt for a 'lap burp.' Position yourself so that you can comfortably place the baby's head on one thigh and his stomach on the other. Using an upward and circular motion, gently pat the baby's back until he burps.

6. Try getting exercise while you walk and burp your baby. Stand up and place your arm under the baby's rib cage, with the baby's back to your chest. Walk around slowly, leaning the baby over your arm until he burps. And be patient: Sometimes burping takes several minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Never try to burp a baby while he is spitting up.

• Don't worry if your baby spits up occasionally - what looks like a lot of liquid is probably no more than a teaspoon. Very frequent spitting up or projectile vomiting could signal a problem; contact your doctor.

• Breast-fed babies tend to swallow less air than bottle-fed babies, so don't worry if your breast-fed baby rarely burps, as long as he seems comfortable.

• If breast-feeding, burp the baby when you switch sides or finish feeding. If bottle-feeding, burp after every few ounces or whenever he seems uncomfortable.