How Can I Make My Newborn Burp? | Calm, Quick Wins

New babies swallow air while nursing or taking a bottle. That trapped air can make feeding noisy, gassy, and messy. A few simple moves help that air rise and leave so your baby settles and feeds better.

Burping Basics: Timing, Cues, And Gentle Technique

Pause during feeds, then try again after the feed ends. Bottle-fed babies often do well with a break every 2–3 ounces. If nursing, try a brief burp when you switch sides. Some babies rarely swallow much air and may skip a burp with no fuss. If nothing comes after a short try, carry on and try again at the end.

Keep the head steady, the torso straight, and use a light pat or slow circular rub between the shoulder blades. Many babies bring up a little milk with a burp, so drape a cloth under the chin or over your shoulder.

Three Go-To Positions That Work

The three classic setups below are simple and effective. Start with one, then rotate if needed.

Position	How To Do It	Best Use
Over The Shoulder	Hold baby upright against your chest with the chin above your collarbone. Steady the head with your cheek or hand and pat or rub the back.	Great mid-feed and after feeds; easy for sleepy babies.
Sit On Your Lap	Sit baby facing sideways on your thighs. Steady the chest with one hand, cradle the jaw without pressing the throat, and pat or rub the back.	Lets air rise while you can see the face and jaw.
Face-Down Across Lap	Lay baby tummy-down across your legs so the head rests slightly higher than the chest. Keep the airway clear and rub or pat the back.	Helpful when shoulder and lap sits don’t bring a burp.

These positions match guidance from pediatric sources such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the UK’s NHS Start for Life.

How To Make My Newborn Burp — Safe Steps That Work

1. Set up the posture. Keep baby upright or slightly inclined. Use one hand to steady the jaw and chest; avoid pressure on the throat or tummy.
2. Pat with rhythm. Use a cupped palm and gentle, even taps over the mid-back. You can also try a slow circular rub.
3. Give it a brief window. Try for about a minute. If you don’t hear or feel a release, switch positions and try again.
4. Pause and retry. If you paused mid-feed, resume feeding. Then burp again when the feed ends.
5. Hold upright after feeds. Keep baby upright for 10–15 minutes once you finish; this helps cut down on spit-up.

Signs Your Baby Needs A Burp

• Pulling off the breast or bottle and fussing
• Gulping, squeaking, or lots of clicking sounds
• Squirming, arching, or drawing legs toward the belly
• Clenched fists or a tight face during feeds
• Crying soon after you lay them down post-feed

Breastfeeding And Burping: Small Tweaks That Help

Air sneaks in when the latch is shallow or the pace is too fast. A deep latch and a calm start lower the bubbles. Try a short burp when you switch sides. If let-down is forceful, lean back a little so milk flow slows and baby can keep a steady rhythm. If your baby seems comfy and content, you may not need a mid-feed break at every session.

If you do pause, keep baby close to the breast, bring the chin up to open the airway, and use a quick shoulder burp before relatching. At the end, keep baby upright for 10–15 minutes.

Bottle Feeding And Burping: Gear And Pacing

Choose a slow-flow nipple that matches your baby’s suck. Keep the nipple full of milk by tilting the bottle just enough to avoid bubbles. Use paced bottle feeding: hold baby fairly upright, let them draw the nipple in, and tip the bottle so milk flows when they suck and pauses when they pause. Every few minutes, tip the bottle down or take a short break for a burp.

Many babies do well with a burp every 2–3 ounces. If a burp doesn’t come, resume the feed and try again at the end.

When Baby Won’t Burp: Easy Troubleshooting

Some babies release air quietly without a big sound. If you still sense trapped wind, rotate through the three positions. Walk a few steps while doing shoulder burps. Try a gentle back-and-forth rock while seated. If baby seems tight through the middle, lay them on the back for a moment, then bring knees toward the belly and move the legs like a slow bicycle. A light tummy rub in a clockwise motion can also help.

If the feed has clearly ended and you still don’t get a burp after a couple of quick attempts, call it done and hold baby upright for a short spell.

Safety And Comfort Tips You Can Trust

• Keep one hand steadying the head and jaw at all times during the early months.
• Use light pats; a firm thump isn’t needed and can upset a sleepy baby.
• Avoid pressing on the belly, especially right after a full feed.
• Skip vigorous play right after feeding. Quiet holding works better.
• Place a cloth under the chin or on your shoulder to catch spit-up.
• Overnight feeds count too. Do short burp tries in a chair, then place baby back on the back to sleep.

Normal Spit-Up Versus Red Flags

Spit-up that dribbles out with a burp and a baby who is content and growing is common. Watch for warning signs such as forceful, shoot-out vomiting, spit-up that looks green or has blood, a rigid or very tender belly, fewer wet diapers, poor weight gain, or breathing trouble with feeds. Those signs call for a same-day chat with your child’s doctor.

When Can You Stop Burping A Newborn?

As head control improves and feeds get smoother, many babies need less help. Some keep needing a mid-feed pause, while others burp fine on their own. If your baby finishes a feed, stays relaxed, and settles well when laid down, you can skip the extra burp attempts.

Make Burping Easier: A Quick Troubleshooting Table

What You Notice	What It Often Means	What To Try
Loud gulping and lots of air bubbles in the nipple	Flow is too fast; extra air intake	Switch to a slower nipple and use a more upright hold; add a mid-feed burp
Clicking at the breast, milk leaking at the corner of the mouth	Shallow latch or seal breaks	Relatch more deeply; try a brief shoulder burp before relatching
Fussing when laid flat right after a feed	Air pocket near the top of the stomach	Hold upright for 10–15 minutes and try a gentle lap sit burp
No burp after several tries, baby still content	Air released quietly, no need for more	Skip extra attempts; watch comfort and diapers
Frequent spit-up with discomfort or poor growth	Reflux, overfeeding, or another issue	Talk with your pediatrician for tailored advice

Calm, Baby-Friendly Burping Routine

Pick one position for the mid-feed pause. Keep the motions steady and the room quiet. At the end of the feed, repeat the burp, then keep baby upright for a short stretch before laying them down on the back. With practice, you’ll find a pattern that fits your baby’s cues and your feeding style.