How to Burp a Baby: Best Techniques for Fast Relief

Why Burping Matters More Than You'd Think

In the early months, babies' digestive systems are still developing, and they often swallow air during feeding or while crying. If that air isn’t released, it can lead to:

• The dreaded "witching hour" fussiness
• Spit-up surprises (always at the worst moments)
• Those sudden, often distressing hiccup fits

What Causes Burping?

Burping are usually harmless, but they can cause discomfort. Here are some common triggers:

1. Swallowing air – Whether from feeding too quickly or crying, excess air can get trapped in the stomach, leading to hiccups.
2. Temperature changes – A cold tummy or chilled milk can irritate the diaphragm and trigger hiccups.
3. Rare causes – In some cases, hiccups can be linked to reflux, illness (like pneumonia), or a reaction to medication.

Burping your baby after feedings helps release trapped air, easing discomfort and reducing the chance of hiccups and fussiness.

Burping Positions That Actually Work

Mastering the correct hand posture is essential for effective burping. Keep your five fingers together and slightly cup your palm, as if you're scooping water. This creates a gentle, effective seal when patting your baby's back.

Here are some common baby burp positions:

• Sitting on Your Lap: Have your baby sit on your lap. If your baby is under 4 months old, support their neck with one hand. For babies 4 months and older, simply hold them steady. Gently pat their back with your other hand.
• Upright on Your Shoulder: This method is ideal for babies 4 months and older. Hold your baby upright against your shoulder with one arm. Use your other hand to gently pat their back until you hear a burp.
• Lying Sideways Across Your Lap: Bring your knees together and let your baby lie sideways across your thighs, with their head slightly lower than their body. Support their lower body with one hand and gently pat their upper back with the other.

Important Considerations and Tips

• Patting Technique: Always pat gently in an upward motion, from your baby's lower back towards their shoulders.
• Frequent Burping: Don't wait until your baby has finished their entire feeding to burp them. It's best to burp them 2-3 times during each feeding.
• Preventing Gas and Spit-Up: If your baby is prone to gas or spit-up, or if they are very hungry, burp them early in the feeding. This proactive approach can significantly reduce gas and spit-up.

What to Do If Your Baby Won’t Burp

Sometimes, no matter how long you try, your baby just won’t burp — and that’s totally normal. If this happens:

• Try changing positions — moving from over-the-shoulder to sitting on your lap can help
• Gently move your baby’s legs in a bicycling motion to encourage gas to pass
• Remember, some babies simply don’t burp much, and that’s okay too

Keep in mind: as long as your baby seems comfortable and isn’t unusually fussy, missing a burp isn’t usually a problem.

Signs Baby Needs to Burp

When it comes to burping, you’ll soon learn your baby’s cues. Common signs include the “milk drunk but squirmy” look or a cry that seems to say, “I’m uncomfortable, but I don’t know how to tell you.” Burping gets easier with practice, so don’t worry if it doesn’t happen every time. And that burp cloth you keep forgetting? Try keeping one in each room—you’ll thank yourself later!

Signs Baby Needs to Burp	Explanation
Fussiness or Crying	Irritation from trapped air in the stomach.
Pulling Legs Toward Tummy	Discomfort from gas buildup.
Arching the Back	A sign of discomfort, attempting to relieve pressure.
Sucking on Hands	Self-soothing or discomfort from air or hunger.
Releasing Small Burps/Sounds	Indicates the need to burp.
Starting and Stopping Feeding	Frequent pauses due to trapped air.
Spitting Up or Vomiting	Air causing regurgitation or discomfort.
Clenching Fists	Discomfort from trapped gas.

6 Tips to Prevent Baby Hiccups

1. For hiccups and spitting up caused by "gastroesophageal reflux":

After feeding, hold your baby upright against your shoulder to help release any trapped gas. Avoid laying your baby flat for at least 30 minutes. After four months, introducing rice or oat cereal can thicken the milk and help prevent hiccups.

2. If your baby is allergic to cow's milk protein:

Follow your pediatrician's advice and switch to a special formula designed for babies with milk protein allergies.

3. Create a quiet, calm feeding environment:

Always feed your baby in a peaceful setting. Avoid feeding when your baby is overly hungry or upset, as this can lead to fast, gulping feeds, which might trigger hiccups.

4. Ensure proper feeding posture:

Make sure your baby is positioned comfortably while feeding, and avoid feeding too quickly or too slowly. Ensure the milk is at the right temperature—not too hot or too cold—to keep the feeding experience smooth.

5. Distract your baby during hiccups:

When your baby gets hiccups, try using toys or soft music to divert their attention. This can reduce the frequency of hiccups and calm your little one.

6. Take breaks during feeding:

Let your baby take a small break while drinking and gently pat their back to help them burp. This helps prevent hiccups from occurring continuously.

Product Recommendations That Actually Help

Product Recommendations That Actually Help Baby burping might seem worrying, but it’s usually not a big issue for your little one. To help ease them, you can try offering a pacifier (the sucking motion helps) or, if your baby is over 6 months, a tiny sip of warm water. Hiccups typically stop as suddenly as they start, so there’s no need to stress.

For your convenience, we recommend Aiwibi products. The Aiwibi bottles, in particular, are designed to help reduce gas. Their vent system works wonders by minimizing air intake during feeding, making burping easier and more comfortable for your baby.

Final Thought

You're doing great, and it's totally normal if it takes a little practice to figure out the best way to burp a baby faster and more easily! Every little one is unique, so don't worry if one technique works wonders for your friend's baby but not quite as well for yours. The most important thing is to be patient and keep trying different positions and gentle pats. Before you know it, you'll be a burping pro, and your little one will be much more comfortable and happy after feeding. Keep up the wonderful work, you've got this!