How To Burp A Sleeping Baby? – A Complete Guide

Last Updated: March 12, 2024

Do you have a question about how to burp a newborn baby, We understand how difficult it can get when it comes to burping your baby who falls asleep soon after their feed. Having said that, let alone burping a baby, it gets, even more, trickier when they are asleep and are in their dreamland.

Even if you feel like it, you cannot avoid the burps as the little one is on liquid foods, which could get gassy if not burped through a gentle pat on the back. How to get the baby to burp when they are asleep and prevent them from being uncomfortable? Is burping a sleeping baby even possible?

Yes, they are. How? Read on to know!

How To Burp A Newborn Baby? 4 Best Methods!

Here are the four best methods to help burp a sleeping baby. Understand that it’s less about the best methods and more about the gentle maneuvering, holds, and comfort of the little munchkin.

1) Over the Shoulder

Hold your baby over the shoulder to burp a sleeping baby without waking them up. All you need to do is lay the infant against the shoulder and hold their bottom snugly while patting and rubbing their back.

2) On Your Lap

Here, you will need to carefully lay the baby on your lap, face-down to get him to burp. Be cautious as they are bound to spit up in most cases.

(Have a burp cloth handy as the baby may spit)

3) In Sitting Position

Prop the sleepyhead upright, that is, in a seated position, and tilt them forward while patting their back gently.

4) Across Your Arm

Burping a baby in this position may seem a little awkward but is the most helpful technique for a newborn as their body fits in your forearm accurately.

Should Parents Burp A Baby After They Are Dream Feeds?

Yes, you need to burp your baby after a dream feed, that is post-late-night feeding and before they go to bed.

Why?

Any kind of feeding, this includes a dream feed, is capable of creating gas and/or causing spit-up in babies. This is why it is important to alleviate that pressure by burping a baby.

Note – It is possible that the method you are using doesn’t yield good results, for which we recommend trying a different method from the section above and also avoid spending any more than five minutes to get a burp out.

If you do not wish to wait to post the feed, you may also try to sneak for a little burp between the feed breaks or when switching between the breasts.

How To Burp A Baby? - What Happens If You Don't, Or, The Baby Doesn't Burp?

Burping babies to avoid gassy tummies and support their night sleep is essential, however, if you are unable to do so, it is ok to not get worried as they will end up passing the gas from the other end. As a result, some babies may spit up in the crib, and others might wake up being fussy and in need to burp.

An infant who doesn’t blech is expected to be bothered by the gas that can be propped up for 15 minutes or so, after their feed and will need help to prevent any spit-ups. A burping method will eventually produce the burp they need.

Having said that, other infants don’t swallow as much air as others while nursing or during their feed, therefore won’t need to burp frequently. If the baby isn’t bothered by gas post-feeding and is eating well, you can count yourself lucky on the burping front.

Keep in mind that the back-patting phase is time-limited since most babies tend to stop spitting as soon as they are capable of sitting up, that is, anytime around 6 months.

Yes, it is rather hard to wake a blissful baby from the slumber that too just for a burp, but burping a sleeping baby can help them be comfortable and sleep much better. Be assured that with some daily practice and a few burping tricks, the process will surely become your second nature.

How To Burp a New Born Baby Final Conclusion:

As mentioned in the article above, practicing the different positions to help a baby to burp is one of the many tasks that parents are expected to follow until the child grows into becoming self-sufficient.

As and when time passes, you will be able to understand if your baby will need to burp each time or can eat without the need to burp. If they seem to have a lot of gas and are constantly spitting up, we recommend consulting a doctor about reflux.

Even if the baby does not require burps, make sure to still burp them after dinner and help get them and you a long stretch to sleep post the feed.

How To burp a New Born Baby FAQs

1) What if the baby doesn't burp and falls asleep?

If your baby doesn't burp and is asleep, try to burp them for a minute before you lay them back down, using the methods given in the article above. If not, it is ok. At times, babies do not burp during the night since they eat slower, which means they are not swallowing air.

2) What happens if my baby won't burp after feeding?

If the baby hasn't burped, expect them to wake up due to the built-up gas. You may want to practice burping or put them on their back to sleep. On the other hand, if they are older and are not burping, it is ok. It is generally an indication that they have learned to eat without swallowing excess air.

3) How to burp a baby faster?

Hold your little one in a sitting position

Lay them on your lap and/or across your knee

4) How long do babies need to be burped?

There is no specific duration of time to burp a baby, but try to practice burping frequently during his feeding. In case of bottle-feeding, burp them after every two to three ounces of milk. You may be expected to practice burping until they are 4-6 months old, or until they know how to sit.

On behalf of the editorial team at Parenthoodbliss, we follow strict reporting guidelines and only use credible sources, along with peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and highly respected health organizations. To learn about how we maintain content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.

Sandra Janet Louis

Sandra was introduced to the art of writing 10 years ago and has not looked back ever since. She enjoys writing poems, short stories, and also has an ongoing virtual novel - The untold story. Apart from writing, she is expressive, creative, and a believer. In addition to this, she sketches, is a kitchen gardener, a coffee lover, and enjoys cooking and baking new recipes - if you can’t find her elsewhere she’s for sure busy listening to soft music while aggressively cleaning!

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