Do newborns really need to be burped?

The Importance of Burping Newborns: A Comprehensive Look
When it comes to caring for newborns, one of the most debated topics among new parents and caregivers is the practice of burping. The question arises: Do newborns really need to be burped? Understanding the rationale behind this common practice is crucial for ensuring the comfort and well-being of infants.
Understanding the Need to Burp
Newborns, particularly in their first few months of life, have underdeveloped digestive systems. During feeding—whether breastfeeding or formula feeding—it’s common for babies to swallow air along with milk. This ingested air can lead to discomfort, gas, and fussiness. Burping is the process of helping to release this trapped air, which can alleviate these issues and promote a more settled tummy.
How Burping Works
Burping typically involves holding the baby in an upright position and gently patting or rubbing their back. This action can help to expel the air that has built up in the stomach. Experts recommend burping newborns during and after feeds, especially if the baby seems fussy or is feeding quickly.
The general guideline suggests that parents should aim to burp their newborns:
– During feeding: If the baby is feeding for a longer period, it may be beneficial to pause and burp them midway.
– After feeding: It is advisable to burp the baby after they finish eating to ensure any remaining air is released.
The Benefits of Burping
The benefits of burping are twofold:
1. Comfort: By releasing trapped air, burping can help prevent discomfort and excessive crying, which is often caused by gas.

2. Better Feeding: When babies are comfortable, they are more likely to feed effectively and may consume more milk without interruptions due to discomfort.
Are There Exceptions?
While burping is generally recommended, not all babies require the same level of burping. Some newborns may naturally expel gas without assistance, while others may not seem to need it at all. It’s essential for parents to observe their baby’s cues. If a baby appears comfortable and content after feeding without burping, it may not be necessary to force the issue.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while not every newborn may need to be burped, the practice is widely recognized as beneficial for most infants. Burping can play a key role in ensuring that newborns are comfortable and content, ultimately aiding their overall feeding experience. Parents are encouraged to pay attention to their baby’s individual needs, adjusting their approach as necessary to foster a calm and happy feeding time.

What happens if you don’t burp a newborn?

An important part of feeding a baby is burping. Burping helps to get rid of some of the air that babies tend to swallow during feeding. Not being burped often and swallowing too much air can make a baby spit up, or seem cranky or gassy.

Can a baby choke if not burped while sleeping?

And can go right into the air pipe causing the baby to breathe the spit up into their lungs. So it is always best to put your baby on their back to sleep for all sleeps nap time. And bedtime.

Is it unhealthy to not burp?

Neither excessive burping or no burp syndrome pose any long-term health risks; however, they can make you feel socially awkward or embarrassed, and you may experience uncomfortable or painful symptoms.

Is it okay to put baby to sleep without burping?

It’s generally okay for a baby to sleep without burping. But it depends on your baby, how they’re feeling and what they need. So you’ll have to decide on a case-by-case basis, recognizing if they are showing signs of discomfort. Feeding can often have a calming effect on a baby.

Is one burp enough for a newborn?

There are no rules on when you should burp your baby, some babies need burping during their feed, some after. Look for clues – if your baby seems uncomfortable while feeding, have a little burping break. If they seem fine while feeding, wait until they’ve finished. Your baby will let you know!

When can I stop worrying about SIDS?

SIDS deaths occur most often during the first year of a baby’s life. About 90% of SIDS deaths occur before the age of 6 months. Generally, after a baby turns 1 year old, parents can be less worried about SIDS.

Does a fart count as a burp?

Passing gas through the mouth is called belching or burping. Passing gas through the anus is called flatulence. Most of the time gas does not have an odor.

Is it ok for a baby not to burp but fart?

If you’re not burping your baby enough after every feed, any leftover gas has to come out the other end! You can burp during and after feeds to help alleviate gas. You can also pay attention to bubbles and position when bottle feeding.

At what age can I stop burping my baby?

If you’re burping a newborn after breastfeeding, the baby will typically burp less because they swallow less air. Most babies will outgrow the need to be burped by 4-6 months of age. You can often tell that a baby needs to be burped if he or she is squirmy or pulling away while being fed.

Which cultures don’t burp babies?

Burping babies seems to be traditional practice in some parts of the world and not in others. For example, research in Indonesia found most breastfeeding mothers rarely or never burped their babies after feeding.