Can’t Get Newborn To Burp After Breastfeeding? | Simple, Effective Tips

Why Burping Matters for Newborns

Burping is a crucial step after feeding a newborn. Babies often swallow air while breastfeeding, which can cause discomfort, fussiness, and even spit-up if not released. Unlike adults, infants can’t always express their discomfort clearly, so burping helps reduce trapped gas that builds up in their tiny stomachs.

Newborns have immature digestive systems that are still adapting to feeding outside the womb. When air gets trapped inside during feeding sessions, it causes bloating and cramps. Burping is the simplest way to relieve this pressure. Ignoring the need to burp may lead to increased irritability and interrupted sleep patterns.

Even though some babies burp naturally without assistance, many need a little help from caregivers. Recognizing when and how to burp your baby can make feeding times more comfortable for both of you.

Common Reasons You Can’t Get Newborn To Burp After Breastfeeding?

Sometimes despite your best efforts, your newborn just won’t burp. This can be frustrating but is not uncommon. Several factors contribute to this challenge:

• Baby’s Feeding Technique: If the latch isn’t perfect or the baby sucks too quickly, they may swallow more air.
• Positioning Issues: The baby’s posture during and after feeding affects how easily air moves up.
• Baby’s Temperament: Some infants are naturally less prone to burping or are more sensitive to touch.
• Overfeeding or Fast Feeding: Feeding too fast or too much at once causes excess air intake.
• Digestive Development: Newborns’ digestive tracts are still maturing and sometimes gas moves slowly.

Understanding these reasons helps tailor your approach and reduces stress when your baby resists burping.

Effective Positions to Help Your Newborn Burp

Different positions work better for different babies. Experimenting with these tried-and-true methods often does the trick:

1. Over-the-Shoulder Hold

This classic position involves holding your baby upright against your chest with their chin resting on your shoulder. Support their bottom with one hand while gently patting or rubbing their back with the other.

It uses gravity to help trapped air rise through the esophagus more easily. Make sure your baby’s head is well-supported and not tilted backward.

2. Sitting on Your Lap

Sit your baby upright on your lap facing away from you. Use one hand to support their chest and head by cradling under their chin (avoid pressure on the throat). With the other hand, gently pat or rub their back in circular motions.

This position allows you better control over their posture and makes it easier to apply consistent pressure on the back.

3. Face-Down on Your Lap

Lay your baby tummy-down across your lap with their head slightly elevated by supporting their chin or jawline with one hand. Patting or rubbing the back gently encourages air bubbles to move upward.

This position is particularly helpful for babies who resist sitting upright but tolerate gentle pressure on their bellies.

The Best Techniques for Burping Your Baby

Patting and rubbing stimulate different sensations that encourage burps:

• Gentle Patting: Use an open palm or cupped hand to softly tap between shoulder blades in a rhythmic pattern.
• Circular Rubbing: Rub in small circles along the back using fingertips; this soothes muscles and helps gas move.
• Tapping Plus Rubbing Combo: Alternate between tapping and rubbing for about five minutes.

Avoid aggressive pounding as newborns have delicate spines and ribs. The goal is gentle stimulation that encourages natural burping reflexes without distress.

How Long Should You Try Before Stopping?

Patience is key—some newborns burp almost immediately while others take longer or don’t burp at all after every feeding session. A good rule of thumb is to try for about 5-10 minutes post-feeding before deciding it’s okay to stop.

If no burp comes up but your baby seems content—calm breathing, relaxed limbs—there’s likely no trapped air causing discomfort at that moment. However, if fussiness persists or signs of gas pain appear later, try again before the next feeding.

Remember: forcing a burp isn’t necessary every single time but should be attempted regularly until you find what works best for your child.

The Role of Feeding Techniques in Preventing Air Swallowing

Prevention beats cure! Minimizing swallowed air during breastfeeding reduces how often you need to struggle with burping later:

• Aim for a Good Latch: Ensure your baby’s mouth covers most of the areola—not just the nipple—to create a tight seal that limits air intake.
• Feed in a Semi-Upright Position: Holding baby slightly elevated reduces gulping of excess air compared to lying flat.
• Pace Feeding: Allow breaks during feeding so baby can swallow steadily rather than gulping continuously.
• Avoid Overfeeding: Watch cues like slowing suckling or turning away as signs baby’s had enough before forcing more milk.

These strategies improve comfort during feeding and reduce post-feed discomfort linked with trapped gas.

The Impact of Formula vs Breastfeeding on Burping Needs

Breastfed babies generally swallow less air than formula-fed ones because breast milk flows naturally via suckling rhythm rather than bottle flow rate. However, both groups need occasional burping depending on individual feeding habits:

Feeding Type	Tendency To Swallow Air	Burping Frequency Needed
Breastfeeding	Lower (due to controlled flow)	Mildly frequent (after each breast)
Bottle Feeding (Formula)	Higher (due to bottle nipple design)	More frequent (during & after feeds)
Mixed Feeding	Variable (depends on bottle use)	Mild-to-moderate frequency as needed

Adjust techniques accordingly based on whether you’re breastfeeding exclusively or supplementing with bottles.

Troubleshooting Persistent Difficulty Burping Your Newborn

If you’re repeatedly faced with “Can’t get newborn to burp after breastfeeding?” here are some tips:

• Create Calm Environment: Babies pick up on tension; soothing voices and dim lighting can relax them enough for easier burps.
• Tweak Timing: Sometimes waiting a few minutes before attempting again helps gas rise naturally without forcing it immediately post-feed.
• Tummy Massage: Gentle clockwise abdominal massage can encourage digestion and gas movement toward release points.
• Avoid Excessive Movement Right After Feeding: Sudden jostling might increase fussiness rather than relieve trapped air; keep movements slow and steady.
• If Problems Persist: Consult pediatrician if excessive spit-up, vomiting, or signs of colic accompany difficulty burping as underlying issues may exist.

Don’t stress if it takes time—newborns vary widely in how they handle digestion initially.

The Importance of Recognizing Baby’s Cues During Burping Attempts

Babies communicate discomfort through body language rather than words:

• Crying or Fussiness: May indicate trapped gas needing release; however, crying also tires them out so timely intervention matters.
• Kicking Legs & Arching Back: Classic signs of tummy ache caused by gas buildup requiring gentle relief techniques like patting or massage.
• Sucking Fingers or Clenching Fists: Often self-soothing attempts linked with mild discomfort; watch closely when combined with other signals.
• Satisfied Relaxation Post-Burp: Indicates successful release of trapped air; look for relaxed limbs and calm facial expression afterward as positive feedback.

Being attentive helps tailor how long you try and which methods work best per session instead of blindly persisting without results.

Avoiding Common Mistakes While Trying To Burp Your Baby

Certain pitfalls can make “Can’t Get Newborn To Burp After Breastfeeding?” even harder:

• Pushing Too Hard: Vigorous patting risks hurting delicate ribs; always keep touch soft yet firm enough for stimulation.
• Ineffective Positioning: Holding baby flat on back won’t help much since gravity doesn’t assist upward movement of swallowed air there.
• Lack of Consistency: Sporadic attempts reduce chances of success; regular practice builds routine comfort around feedings over time.
• Ignoring Baby’s Signals: Forcing prolonged sessions when infant resists only increases frustration all around; know when it’s okay to pause then retry later.
• Nervousness Transmitted To Baby: Babies sense caregiver anxiety which may increase tension in muscles making burps harder to elicit—stay calm!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why can’t I get my newborn to burp after breastfeeding?

Sometimes newborns don’t burp easily due to feeding techniques, positioning, or their immature digestive systems. Babies may swallow air if the latch isn’t perfect or they feed too quickly, making it harder to release trapped gas.

What are the best positions if I can’t get my newborn to burp after breastfeeding?

Try holding your baby upright against your shoulder or sitting them on your lap facing away from you. Gentle patting or rubbing their back in these positions can help trapped air rise and make burping easier.

How long should I try to burp my newborn after breastfeeding if they won’t burp?

Be patient and give it a few minutes. Sometimes it takes 5-10 minutes of gentle patting or changing positions for the baby to release trapped air. If your baby is calm and not uncomfortable, it’s okay to stop and try again later.

Can feeding too fast cause my newborn not to burp after breastfeeding?

Yes, feeding too quickly can cause your baby to swallow excess air, making burping more difficult. Slowing down feeding and ensuring a proper latch can reduce swallowed air and help your newborn burp more easily.

Is it normal if my newborn doesn’t burp after every breastfeeding session?

Yes, some babies naturally don’t need to burp every time. If your newborn seems comfortable and isn’t fussy or gassy, it’s okay if they don’t burp after every feeding. Always watch for signs of discomfort to decide when to try burping.

Conclusion – Can’t Get Newborn To Burp After Breastfeeding?

Struggling because you “Can’t Get Newborn To Burp After Breastfeeding?” is a common hurdle but one that usually resolves with patience, proper technique, and understanding infant cues. Trying various positions like over-the-shoulder hold or sitting upright combined with gentle patting or rubbing often unlocks those elusive little burps.

Remember that not every feed requires forced burping if your newborn seems comfortable without it—each child has unique needs shaped by anatomy and temperament. Focus on creating calm moments around feedings while ensuring good latch quality and pacing during nursing sessions to minimize swallowed air from the start.

If persistent difficulties arise alongside concerning symptoms such as excessive vomiting or extreme irritability, seek pediatric advice promptly since underlying medical issues might require attention beyond simple burping strategies.

With time—and lots of love—you’ll find what works best for you both so mealtimes become peaceful bonding experiences rather than stressful battles over tiny bubbles of air!