HealthONE - February 01, 2021
Young mother breastfeeds her baby, holding him in her arms and smiling from happiness  

Many babies should be burped between and after nursing and feeding for their first few months to help relieve them of any swallowed air. The most well-known method is to place your baby over your shoulder and gently pat or rub his or her back, however, this method tends to make baby sleepy. One of our nurse leaders in the mom baby unit at Sky Ridge Medical Center, Elizabeth Ferrill, demonstrates how to best burp your baby for results:

With your baby swaddled, hold him or her outward facing away from your body, then pat and rub the back. This is a great technique that can involve dad, friend or grandparent.

  • Sitting your baby upright, lean baby slightly forward, with your hand under baby's chin, and then pat the back.

Keep in mind, if your baby has not burped in a couple of minutes, he or she may not need to burp. It will be perfectly fine. You've got this!