Step-by-step guide on how to burp a baby

When it comes to being a new parent, there’s a pretty steep learning curve. From mastering the swaddle (or at least advancing to intermediate status) to learning to translate their cries—Are they hungry? Gassy? Tired?—you’re always absorbing something new.

Figuring out how to burp a baby, though, is one newborn task most of us don’t really think about until our baby is in our arms. It’s easy to think of it kind of like breathing…doesn’t a burp just…happen? Not for babies. They need a little help getting any trapped gas out of their tiny tummies.

So, how do you burp a newborn?

Below are our tried-and-tested strategies to make you a baby-burping pro.

Why it’s important to burp a baby 

Babies are born with an impressive number of reflexes that help them thrive in the newborn phase—latching, grasping, and startling, to name a few. One activity they sometimes can’t do on their own, however, is burping.

So, why do babies need to be burped? Most newborns feed around the clock, averaging about eight to 12 feedings a day. As they swallow milk, they also swallow air bubbles, which can become trapped in their tummies and cause discomfort. By burping your newborn, you may be able to help them with two things:

• Removing any excess air
• Preventing excess spit-up

It’s important to note that burping can be more beneficial for some babies than others, and burping is not a guarantee that your baby will feel better. Also, some babies swallow more air while feeding and may need a burp mid-feed, while others can wait until they finish eating. Every newborn is different, so it’s all about finding what works best for you.

Ultimately, deciding if and how often to burp your baby is up to you. You can follow your baby’s cues to determine what they might need—and if what you’re doing is working.

3 ways to burp your baby

Here are four of the most common methods for burping a baby. We recommend trying all the techniques to find out which is most comfortable  (and effective) for you and your little one:

1. The over-the-shoulder burp

This is the classic burping style for good reason: The over-the-shoulder burp is one of the easiest burping positions to master and is often effective at helping ease general gassiness for babies at any age. Here’s  how to burp your newborn using this method:

• Step one. Place a burp cloth on your shoulder (in case your baby spits up).
• Step two. Hold your baby with their tummy against your chest. Rest their chin on your shoulder (and the burp cloth), supporting their head and body with your arm and chest.
• Step three. Use your free hand to gently pat your baby’s back from the bottom of their back and work upward. This helps trapped air rise and escape. Also, cup your palm as you pat, as it’s more gentle than using a flat palm. 

2. The sitting-up-burp

If your little one has gained some control of their head movement, you can try the sitting-up burp position. With this method, your baby sits on your lap while you gently support them.

Here are the simple steps for the sitting-up burp:

• Step one. Sit in a comfortable position, placing your baby in a seated position on your lap. They can either face away from you or to the side.
• Step two. Place your hand on their chest, using your thumb and pointer finger to lightly grasp their jaw, providing a little extra support to their neck and chin.
• Step three. Gently pat their back until you hear a burp.

There’s a second method you can also try while your baby is in the seated position:

• Step one. Sit your baby on your lap, facing either left or right. Support their chest and jaw with one hand, just as you did in the standard seated burping position.
• Step two. With your other hand on their back, gently lean your baby slightly forward. Then, using the hand on their chest, lean them backward slightly.
• Step three. Continue this slow, gentle rocking motion to help release any trapped gas bubbles until your baby burps.

4. The tummy time burp

This method is also a good one for helping trapped air escape. Follow these steps:  

• Step one. Lay your baby belly-down on your lap, ensuring their face remains slightly higher than their chest.
• Step two. Place a burp cloth under them to catch any potential spit-up.

• Step three. Using one hand to support their head and neck, apply gentle pressure and use your cupped hand to pat their back until they burp. So, how long should you burp a baby? Try one or two of these methods during or after a feeding. If it’s been a few minutes and still no burp, your little one may not need to burp at that time. Some babies don’t need to burp after eating, especially once they’re old enough to begin being able to burp on their own, usually around four to nine months of age.

Signs your baby needs to be burped

Now you know the burping how-tos. But is there a way to tell when your little one needs to burp?

While there’s no definitive guide, there are a few common signs that your baby has trapped gas that needs to be released. Look for these cues during and after a feed:

• Spitting up
• Squirming
• Reducing or stopping the feed
• Becoming fussy during or after feeding

How technology can help

In today’s modern world, there are a range of technological tools available to help ease your parenting load. While your baby monitor can’t burp your baby for you, it can offer plenty of support in other important ways.

The Nanit Pro Camera is more than just a baby monitor; it’s like an extra set of hands, watching over your little one all night long to ensure they’re sleeping safe and sound. Here are other ways the Pro Camera can help your parenting journey. It can:

• Track their breathing movements. Paired with our Breathing Wear accessories, the Pro Camera monitors your little one’s breathing patterns, alerting you the second it notices irregular breathing motions or causes for potential concern.
• Check on them from anywhere. With a 1080p HD video livestream available directly on your phone, you can monitor your baby from the comfort of your bed or while you’re out and about.
• Track their sleep insights. With the Nanit Insights Sleep Plan, you’ll have access to your baby’s sleep analytics and receive personalized sleep tips to ensure they are getting the best sleep possible.
• Receive daily summaries. Each morning, the Nanit app provides a detailed summary of your baby’s sleep from the previous night, highlighting any events and milestones and their total sleep time.

As a parent, you deserve all the helping hands you can get. And when it comes to overnight sleep, the Nanit has you covered, from the moment you tuck your little one into their crib at bedtime to when you lift them out the next morning.