How long should I try to burp my breastfed baby?

Understanding Burping for Breastfed Babies
Burping is an essential part of feeding for many parents, especially when it comes to ensuring the comfort of their little ones. For breastfed babies, the question of how long to burp them can be nuanced, as it often depends on the individual baby’s needs and feeding habits.
Timing and Technique
When breastfeeding, it is generally recommended to try burping your baby every 5 to 10 minutes during the feeding session. This approach allows for the release of any air that the baby may have swallowed while nursing, which can help prevent discomfort and fussiness later on. If you notice that your baby seems uncomfortable—such as squirming, pulling away, or crying—it may be a good indication that they need to be burped.
After a feeding session, if your baby hasn’t burped after a few minutes, it’s advisable to change their position. This can help facilitate the burping process. For instance, holding the baby upright against your shoulder or sitting them on your lap can encourage the release of trapped air.
Duration of Burping
In terms of how long to spend trying to burp your baby, experts suggest that you should aim for several minutes. If your baby is particularly prone to spitting up, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping them upright for at least 20 minutes after feeding to minimize the chances of spit-up. This not only aids in digestion but also provides a comforting position for the baby.
Is Burping Always Necessary?
Interestingly, some sources suggest that burping may not be strictly necessary for all breastfed babies. Many breastfed infants may not swallow as much air as those who are bottle-fed, and thus may not require burping as frequently. However, if your baby shows signs of discomfort, it’s always a good idea to try burping them.
In conclusion, while the general guideline is to burp your breastfed baby every 5 to 10 minutes during feeding and for several minutes afterward, it’s essential to pay attention to your baby’s cues. Each baby is unique, and their comfort should guide your approach to burping.

Is it OK if baby doesn’t burp after breastfeeding?

If your baby isn’t burping but doesn’t appear to be uncomfortable, they most likely don’t need to burp. However, if they aren’t burping and start fussing or crying, or if they frequently spit up, they most likely are taking in too much air while feeding. Spitting up is normal, particularly in the first 8 weeks.

Do breastfed babies need to be winded?

Timing breastfeeds
Allow your baby to stay on the first breast for as long as they are feeding. Then take a break, wind your baby if needed and offer the second breast. Many babies can wind themselves while in laid back or upright breastfeeding positions. Some babies only take 1 breast per feed.

Is it OK to put baby to sleep without burping after breastfeeding?

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.

How do I know when I don’t need to burp my baby anymore?

It’s okay to stop burping your baby when you see most or all of these signs:

1. Your baby doesn’t seem to burp even when you’re trying.
2. Your baby is perfectly content after and between feedings when not burped.
3. Your baby is able to relieve their own gas through movement (sitting up, rolling over, etc.)

Is it okay not to burp a breastfed baby at night?

However, putting a baby to sleep without burping may increase the risk of discomfort, regurgitation, or reflux, potentially disrupting their sleep and causing discomfort. Therefore, it’s generally recommended to attempt burping before putting a baby to sleep to promote better digestion and minimize discomfort.

What if my baby won’t burp and gets hiccups?

If your baby gets hiccups during feeding, stop and try to burp them or change their position. In general, try to help your little one relax. Hiccups usually go away on their own, but if they haven’t gone away after about 5 or 10 minutes, begin feeding your baby again, which may help bring relief.

When should I stop burping my breastfed 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.

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 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.

How long to burp a breastfed baby?

You don’t need to spend ages burping your baby, a couple of minutes should be enough. There are a few ways to burp your baby. Try them all out and see which works best – or use a combination.