Burping a newborn may seem like a simple and straightforward task, but for new parents, it can be a source of confusion and concern.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss what a burp is, why it’s important, and what you should do if your baby doesn’t burp.

First, let’s define what a burp is. For a newborn, burping refers to the process of expelling air from their stomach after feeding. This is important because babies tend to swallow air while feeding, especially if they are bottle-fed or if they have difficulty latching onto the breast. The air can cause discomfort and lead to fussiness or crying if not released.

To burp a newborn, hold the baby upright against your shoulder, or sit them up and gently pat or rub their back until they release the air with a burp. It is recommended to burp newborns after every feeding or halfway through longer feedings to help relieve any discomfort and prevent further feeding difficulties.

But what happens if your baby doesn’t burp? According to experts, it’s not a cause for concern. The air will find its way out, either coming back up as a burp down the road or going further down to the anus and is released as gas.

Your baby will typically be fine even if they don’t burp immediately after feeding.

However, burping can still be beneficial for your baby’s comfort. Oftentimes, when you burp them, they seem to become better. But an interesting randomized study was conducted to see if there would be differences in comfort level between babies who were burped after feeding and those who were not.

The finding was that the babies who were not burped actually had less colic symptoms and less regurgitation than the babies who were burped.

Ultimately, every baby is different, and some may burp easily while others may not burp at all or burp more difficultly. The key is to go with the flow and not spend excessive amounts of time trying to get your baby to burp. If they don’t burp, don’t fret – the gas will find its way out. Just focus on providing comfort and care for your little one.

In conclusion, burping a newborn is a simple but important task for new parents. While it may not be necessary for every baby to burp after every feeding, it can help relieve discomfort and prevent feeding difficulties. Remember, every baby is different, so don’t stress if your baby doesn’t burp easily. Trust your instincts and provide comfort and care for your little one.

Look around this blog post for links for resources that have free resource guides: how to choose the right paediatrician for your baby, and also the Confident New Mom Guide. All those free resources can be found in my instagram page and facebook page. I also have my premium course, the Newborn Preparation course, which is a four module course that goes over everything you need to know that is essential to being confident to receive your newborn and care for them confidently.