How To Burp A Sleeping Baby

Do you have a baby that just can\’t seem to sleep through the night? Are you at your wit\’s end, and don\’t know how to make them comfortable? If so, read on. In this post, we will discuss how to burp a sleeping baby. It may seem like an impossible task, but with a little patience and persistence, it can be done. So grab your favorite burping cloth and let\’s get started.

What Is Burping?

All parents know the drill: their baby eats, and then they burp. But why do babies burp?

The simple answer is that burping helps to get rid of excess air that babies often swallow during feedings. When this air gets trapped in the baby\’s tummy, it can cause uncomfortable bloating and gas. Burping helps to release the air and provides relief for both baby and parent.

When a baby burps, it is expelling air from the stomach through the mouth. The medical term for this is “eructation.” All babies burp, some more than others. Burping is perfectly normal and natural. It is nothing to be concerned about unless your baby seems to be in discomfort when doing it, or if they are doing it excessively. 

Methods of Burping A Sleeping Baby

Burping a baby is something new parents must learn how to do. Since your little one can\’t do this on their own, it is left for you to offer assistance and remove excess gas from the baby\’s stomach.

Below are a few methods you can use to burp when babies fall asleep:

Hold The Baby Upright Against Your Upper Body

The best way to burp a sleeping baby is to hold them upright against your upper body. You can hold them against your shoulder either in a standing or sitting position. Make sure to support their head and back, and use one hand to gently pat or rub their back.

You may need to burp your baby several times before you put them down to continue their nap.

Put The Baby In A Semi-Upright Position On Your Lap

Putting the baby in a semi-upright position on your lap is one of the best ways to burp them. When you do this, you are using your body to support their heads and neck even while they are asleep. You also want to make sure that you are supporting their bottom so that they do not slide down.

You can put a hand on their chest or back to help keep them steady. Burping babies in this position is easy because they are already in a natural position to do so. Additionally, it prevents them from getting a stomach ache and also helps to prevent spit-up.

Lay The Baby On Your Lap Face-Down

One position for burping your baby when she is sleeping is to lay her face down across your lap. You can support her head in your hand while her belly rests on your thigh. Some parents find this position helpful because it gives them a good view of their baby\’s mouth and nose.

Try The Football Hold

The \”football hold\” is a great way to burp your sleeping baby during or after a feeding. To do this, simply hold your baby under his or her arms with the head resting in the crook of your elbow.

Then, use your free hand to support the baby\’s back and bottom. You can also try gently rubbing or patting the baby\’s back. The football hold is a great position for burping because it keeps the baby\’s head higher than his or her stomach, which can help reduce the risk of spit-up.

Plus, it gives you a free hand to help support the baby\’s head and back.

When Do I Burp Baby?

A baby\’s digestive system is immature and still developing. For this reason, it\’s not uncommon for babies to spit up after eating or drinking. Spitting up is different from vomiting, which is when a baby forcefully expels stomach contents through the mouth.

Spitting up usually occurs when a baby overeats or swallows too much air. It can also be caused by GERD, a condition that causes stomach contents to back up into the esophagus. Babies with GERD may spit up more frequently and have difficulty sleeping or feeding.

If your baby is spitting up frequently or seems to be in pain, talk to your doctor. Burping your baby during and after feedings can help to prevent spitting up by releasing trapped air bubbles. Burping usually takes just a few minutes, and you\’ll likely know when your baby has released the air because he or she will make a contented sighing and healthy sound.

How Does Baby Burping Help?

A baby may need to burp for several reasons. Firstly, they tend to swallow a lot of air when feeding. This is especially true if they are bottle-fed, as they can take in air along with the milk or formula.

Secondly, babies have immature digestive systems and often produce a lot of gas. This gas can build up in the stomach and cause discomfort. Burping helps to release the gas and relieve the pressure on the stomach. 

Must Baby Burp After Every Feeding?

A baby typically needs to burp after every feeding. When a baby feeds, whether from breastfeeding or bottle feeding, they swallow a lot of air along with their milk. This can cause them to feel fussy and uncomfortable. Burping helps to release that air and can provide relief.

Some parents like to wait until their baby has finished their feeding before burping them, while others like to stop and burp throughout the feeding. There isn\’t necessarily a right or wrong way to do it.

Experiment to see what works best for you and your baby. Keep in mind that not all babies will burp easily or at all. If your baby doesn\’t seem to need to burp, don\’t worry about it. They\’ll likely still be just fine.

Conclusion

Burping babies is important because it helps to relieve gas build-up in their stomachs. There are a few different ways to burp a sleeping baby, but the most common is to hold them upright against your shoulder and pat their back gently. You can also try laying them down on their stomach across your lap and rubbing their back.

Whichever method you choose, make sure to support your baby\’s head and neck. Burping usually only takes a few minutes, and afterward, you\’ll probably notice that your baby is much more comfortable. So, next time your little one seems fussy, try burping them and see if it makes a difference.