Key Pointers

  • Most newborns do not require burping until iv to half dozen months.
  • For some babies, the gastrointestinal system matures by six months, and they do not require burping.
  • Breastfed babies need less burping than bottle-fed babies, and quit burping sooner.
  • If your baby continues to show signs of trapped air despite burping, move their legs in a bicycling motion to release air.

When do you lot stop burping a infant? New parents may often wonder about it. Burping is a part of your baby's feeding regimen to assist your infant to release the excess gas from the tummy that they tend to ingest while feeding (1). Information technology is believed to assist your kid to avert spitting up and relieving gastrointestinal discomfort, such equally colic, caused by trapped gas.

Read on to learn when information technology is appropriate to finish burping a babe, indications to watch for to make an informed determination, and other alternative means of help.

When Tin can You Stop Burping The Babe?

Most babies usually practise not need burping past the age of 4 to half dozen months (2).Notwithstanding, every baby is different, and and then is the rate at which their gastrointestinal arrangement matures. As a result, some babies may require frequent burping, while some may non require burping at all.

Since there is variation in the need for burping babies, a ready age to terminate burping doesn't fit all babies. Hence, identifying signs indicating your babe may be gear up to go off burping is necessary.

Signs You lot Can Cease Burping The Baby

Hither are some cues that may indicate that your infant might non need burping.

  1. Baby can sit up and motion: Most babies can control their head and neck and sit down without back up around six months of age. Around the same time, they may likewise brainstorm itch and motility around a bit (3)(4). Additionally, their gastrointestinal system is relatively more mature now and tin can hold upwardly gastric content more efficiently, pregnant they might accept fewer spit-ups and crave no burping at all.
  1. Baby is burping themselves: There may exist instances when your babe will all of a sudden pull away from you while feeding and burp without y'all rubbing their back. A infant burping independently is a strong determinant, indicating that yous don't need to burp them anymore. According to experts, nigh babies tin can readily burp on their own by ii months of age (5). Withal, some babies may have longer. So, observe your babe. If they appear unsettled or fussy during and afterwards feeding, they might need you to burp them.
  1. Babe looks comfy during and after feeding: Experts recommend burping babies when they await uncomfortable during feeding (6). Notwithstanding, if the baby looks comfortable during feeding and is happy and playful right subsequently feeding, you need not burp them.
  1. Babe is canteen-fed or breastfed: Both bottle-fed and breastfed babies can suck air while feeding. However, bottle-fed babies tend to suck more air because the milk flows faster from a bottle than it does from the mother'southward breast (7). Hence, breastfed babies require less burping than canteen-fed babies, and they may too sooner call it quits (8).

Nearly experts recommend burping babies to reduce spit-ups and prevent gastrointestinal gas buildup that causes problems, such every bit colic. However, some studies have concluded that burping does not significantly lower colic events and spit-ups (9). Therefore, consult your pediatrician to know whether the baby needs burping or not. If the doctor says yes, follow their directions to burp the infant.

What To Do If Burping Doesn't Help?

Try the post-obit alternatives if your baby continues to prove signs of trapped air, such as squirming, despite burping.

  1. Move baby's legs in bicycling motion: Lay your babe on their back on a apartment surface. Then, gently hold their ankles and motion them as if the baby is pedaling a bicycle. Moving the babe's legs this way strengthens abdominal muscles and causes the trapped air to pass through (10)(11).
  1. Do tummy massage: Experts propose that massaging the infant'due south tummy tin help laissez passer trapped gas (6). Lay your baby on their back on a smooth surface. So, massage their tummy in a round motion. It helps move the gas in the digestive tract and push it out of the infant'due south system. After talking to your healthcare provider, yous can utilise essential oil, lotion, or massage oil for the baby massage.
  1. Supervene upon the formula: Some babies can be sensitive to a specific formula type, causing them to experience colic and restlessness (12). If your formula-fed infant behaves and then subsequently feeding, discuss changing formula with your pediatrician. The doc will evaluate your baby's signs and symptoms and advise a suitable alternative for your baby.
  1. Modify the bottle nipples: Bottle-fed babies go gassy when they swallow excess air. It can happen due to several reasons, such as big holes in the nipple. Consider changing it if you suspect your baby's discomfort later on feeding is associated with a nipple issue. You lot can consult a pediatrician or lactation consultant to know the appropriate nipple size and type for your baby.
  1. Modify the bottle: Several brands have developed anti-colic bottles that claim to reduce the air that bottle-fed babies tend to consume. Notwithstanding, no specific bottle has been found effective confronting colic. Notwithstanding, y'all can consult your pediatrician and talk over trying bottles, such as a self-pacing bottle that regulates the suck-swallow-breath coordination. Such bottles reduce the amount of air that the bottle-fed babies swallow and may decline the demand for burping (13).
  1. Home remedies and OTC medications: You may attempt some home remedies, such as gripe water, colic drops, or roll-ons, subsequently talking to your healthcare provider. Several over-the-counter (OTC) medications may also help the baby laissez passer trapped air. Nonetheless, consult a doctor before providing any medicine to the baby.

In some cases, burping a baby doesn't piece of work because the problem isn't trapped gas, but a gastrointestinal issue, such as acid reflux or GERD. If your baby is burping excessively or the burping is accompanied by other problems, such as excessive spit-upward or projectile vomiting, consult your pediatrician right away. The doctor will note your little one'south symptoms and practise an evaluation to determine the underlying cause.

Burping is known to help release trapped gas from babies' tummies. However, it doesn't always work. For some babies, burping afterward every feed and betwixt feeds helps alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort, whereas you don't need to do annihilation for some. Hence, if your baby isn't burping, don't worry much. Just, if they look uncomfortable subsequently feeding or spit-up too much, consult a doctor to decide the underlying cause.

References:

MomJunction's articles are written later on analyzing the inquiry works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resource established by authorities in their respective fields. You tin can learn more most the authenticity of the information nosotros nowadays in our editorial policy.

  1. Baby basics: How to burp your baby.
    https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-care/how-to-burp-infant
  2. Baby Burping.
    https://www.boystownpediatrics.org/knowledge-center/baby-burping
  3. Infant Nutrition and Feeding.
    https://wicworks.fns.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/Infant_Nutrition_and_Feeding_Guide.pdf
  4. Milestone Checklist.
    https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/pdf/checklists/Checklists-with-Tips_Reader_508.pdf
  5. Burping a Baby.
    https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?docId=not42086
  6. How to breastfeed.
    https://www.nhs.uk/start4life/babe/breastfeeding/how-to-breastfeed/burping-your-infant/
  7. Gastrointestinal Problems.
    https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=gastrointestinal-issues-90-P02216
  8. UA Matters: Tips for Getting Babies to Burp.
    https://news.ua.edu/2015/04/ua-matters-tips-for-getting-babies-to-burp/
  9. R Kaur et al.
    A randomized controlled trial of burping for the prevention of colic and regurgitation in healthy infants.
  10. Why Is My Infant So Gassy?
    https://rmccares.org/2020/09/08/why-is-my-babe-so-gassy/
  11. Breaking Up Gas.
    https://world wide web.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Breaking-Up-Gas.aspx
  12. Baby Formula.
    https://familydoctor.org/infant-formula/
  13. Chantal Lau To Individualize the Management Care of High-Take chances Infants With Oral Feeding Challenges: What Do Nosotros Know? What Can Nosotros Do?
    https://internal-journal.frontiersin.org/articles/ten.3389/fped.2020.00296/total

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Maria Carmela Villania-Mamauag is a lath certified diplomate of the Philippine Pediatric Gild with a degree of Doctor of Medicine from Our Lady of Fatima University, Valenzuela City and a Bachelor in Science in Psychology from Saint Louis University, Baguio Urban center which was augmented past a year of Bachelor in Science in Family Life and Child evolution at the University... more

Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist and toddler mom with over eight years of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career equally a CSR projection coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to schoolhouse children. Then she worked equally a nutrition faculty and clinical nutrition charabanc in different organizations. Her interest in scientific writing... more than