How Can I Burp My Newborn? | Calm Quick Guide

New babies swallow air while nursing or taking a bottle. Trapped bubbles can set off fussing, arching, or short naps after feeds. A steady burping routine brings relief and keeps milk down. The steps below keep things simple, gentle, and quick.

How To Burp A Newborn Safely

Pick a seat, place a cloth on your shoulder or lap, and keep your baby’s head higher than the chest. Use a cupped hand, not slaps. Aim for soft pats or small upward rubs. Give each try one to two minutes, then adjust the hold if no burp arrives.

Burping Positions At A Glance

Position	When It Helps	Main Steps
Over The Shoulder	Great for sleepy feeds and tiny babies	Head on shoulder; back straight; gentle pats upward
Seated On Lap	Good control with wiggly babies	Steady the jaw and chest; lean baby forward; slow pats
Face-Down Across Lap	Soothes gassy bellies	Tummy on thighs; head slightly higher; rub in circles
Upright “Koala” Hold	Works after big gulps	Baby sits chest to chest; hand on back; rock softly
Football Hold	Helps after fast let-down	Baby along forearm; head in hand; light pats

You can scan more position tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics, which also explains spit-up and hiccups during the newborn months.

Step-By-Step: Over The Shoulder

Place a cloth on your shoulder. Lift your baby upright with the belly against your chest. Hold the bottom with one hand and the head with the other. Slide the baby a touch higher so the upper belly rests near your collarbone. Pat upward in short, steady taps or rub from lower back to shoulders. Pause and listen for a soft release.

Step-By-Step: Seated On Your Lap

Sit your baby sideways on one thigh facing left or right. Make a “V” with two fingers to steady the jaw, not the throat. Lean the torso slightly forward while the back stays straight. Pat or rub the upper back. This gives great head control during the early weeks.

Step-By-Step: Face-Down Across The Lap

Lay your baby tummy-down across both thighs. Keep the head a little higher than the chest. Rub in small circles or tap upward. This hold eases pressure in the lower belly and often brings a quick burp after a deep feed.

When To Burp During A Feed

Time the pause to the rhythm of the feed. For breastfeeding, try a burp when switching sides or any time your baby pulls off and fusses. For bottle feeds, pause every two to three ounces or sooner if you see gulping, a wrinkled forehead, or splayed fingers. End each feed with one last upright minute.

Good latch and flow cut extra air. Keep the bottle angled so the nipple stays full of milk. Pick a slow-flow nipple that matches your baby’s age and pace. If you use pumped milk, swirl to mix in the cream so the flow stays smooth. That national baby site shows clear pictures and timing tips.

Breastfeeding Tweaks That Cut Air

• Aim for a deep latch with more areola in the mouth on the lower side.
• If let-down sprays, hand express a little, then re-latch and burp midway.
• Try laid-back nursing or side-lying between upright burp breaks.
• Seal small gaps by bringing baby to breast, not breast to baby.

Bottle-Feeding Tweaks That Cut Air

• Hold the bottle at a tilt so no air sits in the nipple.
• Pick a nipple with a slow, steady drip; test with water before feeds.
• Keep the baby partly upright; avoid flat, face-up feeds.
• Pause for a burp when you see fast gulping or a wide-eyed look.

If Your Newborn Won’t Burp

Switch positions. Walk a few steps while holding upright against your chest. Make small circular rubs from the lower ribs to the shoulders. Try the across-lap hold for a minute, then return to the shoulder hold. If nothing comes, carry on with the feed and try again near the end. Some babies pass the air later as gas without any fuss.

A pacifier can relax the diaphragm and settle breathing rhythm, which helps a bubble rise. Offer it for a minute, then switch back to your shoulder hold for another try.

Warmth helps tense bellies. After a feed, hold your baby skin-to-skin upright on your chest. When fully awake between feeds, try brief bicycle legs or a minute of tummy time. Avoid tummy time right after a big feed.

Spit-Up, Hiccups, And Reflux

Spit-up after burps is common in the early months. Keep your baby upright for ten to twenty minutes after feeds, then lie the baby down on the back for sleep. Back sleeping protects breathing, even for babies who spit up; see the CDC note on safe sleep steps. Hiccups fade with slower feeds and timely burps.

Spit-Up: What’s Typical Vs. Concerning

Sign	Likely Meaning	What To Do
Milk dribbles with a soft burp	Normal spit-up	Hold upright; offer a clean cloth; keep feed pace steady
Frequent wet burps yet calm baby	“Happy spitter”	Smaller, steady feeds; extra mid-feed burp
Forceful, projective vomiting	Needs medical review	Call your doctor, especially with poor weight gain
Green or blood-streaked vomit	Urgent care needed	Seek care now
Coughing with blue color change	Choking risk	Stop feeds; check breathing; seek care

Night Feeds And Gentle Burps

Keep the room dim and quiet. During a drowsy feed, pause once in the middle for a shoulder burp, then again at the end. Use slow, small pats so your baby stays calm. Place the baby back on the back in a clear sleep space.

How Long To Keep Burping A Baby

Many babies need steady burps for the first three to four months. As the belly and posture mature, trapped air fades. Once your baby feeds well without pulling off or fussing, try shorter burp breaks. You can phase out routine burps when sitting with little help and rolling starts.

Newborn Gas Troubleshooter

• Lots of gulping? Switch to a slower nipple or adjust nursing angle, then burp sooner.
• Squirming at the breast? Break the latch with a clean finger, burp, then try a laid-back angle.
• Late-night cramps? Short, upright cuddles after feeds; avoid tight waistbands.
• No burp after tries? Stop after two minutes, resume feeding, and try again at the end.
• Soaked bibs and coughs? Call your doctor to rule out reflux or milk transfer issues.

Care Tips That Pair Well With Burping

Pacing And Flow

Let your baby lead. Watch the jaw and swallow pattern. Slow down when swallows stack up or the brow creases. Start again once the face relaxes. This keeps air intake low and makes each burp easy.

Comfortable Holds

Keep the chin off the chest so air can rise. A slight forward lean opens space for bubbles to move. If your back tires, switch to a chair with arm rests or use a small pillow under your forearm.

Clothing And Diapers

Snug waistbands trap pressure. Leave space around the belly after feeds. If diapers feel tight at the navel, switch to the next size sooner.

When To Call The Doctor

Seek care fast for green vomit, blood, a stiff belly, fever in a young infant, choking episodes, weak suck, fewer wet diapers, or slow weight gain. Share a short diary of feed timing, burp tries, spit-up notes, and diaper counts. That record speeds answers.

Printable Mini-Checklist

Before the feed: seat set, cloth ready, bottle angle checked or latch plan set.

During the feed: pause mid-way, switch sides with a burp, watch for gulping.

After the feed: hold upright ten to twenty minutes, then back to sleep.