How to Burp a Baby: A Guide from Kids 1st Pediatrics

A message from Kids 1st Pediatrics

Welcoming your new baby is an exciting and joyful time, but it also comes with a long list of new responsibilities. One of the simplest—but most important—tasks is learning how to burp your baby. Babies naturally swallow air while feeding and crying, and releasing that air helps prevent gas, fussiness, and spit-up.

At Kids 1st Pediatrics, we know that even the smallest routines can make a big difference in your baby’s comfort. That’s why we’ve put together this easy-to-follow guide to help you understand when and how to burp your baby.

Why is burping important?

When air gets trapped in your baby’s tummy, it can cause discomfort, crankiness, and even spitting up. Over time, this can make it harder to know exactly how much your baby has eaten and whether they’re keeping down enough nutrition. Making burping a regular part of your feeding routine helps your baby stay comfortable and well-fed.

When should you burp your baby?

A good rule of thumb is to burp your baby after every feeding. You can also:

• Pause to burp every 10 minutes during feedings, especially if your baby seems fussy.
• If breastfeeding, try burping when switching sides.
• If bottle feeding, aim for every 2–3 ounces.
• If your baby wakes up cranky at night, gas might be the culprit—try burping to help them settle back to sleep.

Even if your baby drifts off mid-feeding, it’s helpful to gently burp them to prevent spit-up and keep them comfortable later.

How do you burp a baby?

The key to effective burping is using a gentle, repeated pat with a cupped hand. A flat palm can feel too rough for your baby, so cupping your hand helps keep things soft and comfortable. You can try one of these common positions:

• Over the shoulder: Hold your baby upright with their chin resting on your shoulder and their body supported against your chest.
• Sitting on your lap: Support your baby’s chin with your hand while they sit slightly forward on your lap.
• Lying across your lap: Place your baby tummy-down across your knees, keeping their head slightly higher than their chest.

💡 Tip: Always keep a burp cloth handy—milk sometimes comes up along with the air!

How long should you spend burping?

You don’t need to spend all day trying to get a burp out. A few minutes is usually enough. If your baby doesn’t burp right away, switch positions and try again. After about five minutes, it’s fine to stop and return to it later if needed.

When do babies outgrow burping?

As babies grow, they swallow less air and gradually need less help with burping. This usually happens between 4 and 9 months of age, often around the time they can sit up on their own. If your baby still seems fussy after feedings, it’s perfectly fine to give burping another try.

At Kids 1st Pediatrics, we’re here to support you through every stage of your child’s growth. Burping may seem like a small step, but it plays a big role in your baby’s comfort and feeding success.

If you’d like to learn more about feeding techniques or have specific questions about your baby’s needs, our caring pediatric team is always here to help.

📅 To schedule an appointment, contact us today at Kids 1st Pediatrics—because your child’s comfort always comes first.