How to Burp a Baby: A Simple Guide
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If you've ever fed a newborn and found yourself wondering what comes next, here's your answer: burping. This often-overlooked step is key to keeping your baby comfortable and preventing gassy discomfort, spit-up, or post-feed fussiness.
Whether you're bottle-feeding or breastfeeding, learning how to burp your baby the right way can make feedings smoother for everyone involved. Here's everything you need to know—no fancy techniques, just practical, real-world guidance.
🍼 Why Do Babies Need to Be Burped?
When babies eat, they often swallow air along with their milk. That air can get trapped in their tiny tummies, making them feel full, uncomfortable, or even cranky. Burping helps release that air, reducing gassiness and helping your baby feel more content during and after a feeding.
⏱️ When Should You Burp a Baby?
It depends on how your baby feeds and their temperament, but as a general rule:
Breastfed babies: Try burping when switching breasts and again after the feeding.
Bottle-fed babies: Burp midway through the bottle (or after every ounce, depending on the baby) and again when finished.
If your baby seems fussy or pulls away during a feeding, that might be a sign they need a quick burp break.
Some babies get very upset if they’re burped too soon into a feeding. The crying makes babies swallow air, so I have found it to be counterproductive to try and burp a baby if they’re not satiated enough.
💺 3 Simple Burping Positions That Work
1. Over the Shoulder
Hold your baby upright against your chest with their chin resting on your shoulder.
Support their bottom with one hand and gently pat or rub their back with the other.
A burp cloth over your shoulder = lifesaver for spit-up!
In my experience, this position makes some babies incredibly sleepy, making it difficult for them to finish the feed in a productive manner.
2. Sitting on Your Lap
Sit your baby on your lap, facing sideways.
Support their chest and head by cradling their chin in your hand (not their throat).
Lean them slightly forward and pat or rub their back.
Swaying them back and forth works too!
3. Lying on Your Lap (Tummy Down)
Lay your baby face-down across your lap.
Support their head so it’s slightly higher than their chest.
Gently rub or pat their back.
🧷 Burping Tips & Troubleshooting
No burp? That’s okay—some babies don’t need to burp after every feed. Try for a few minutes, then move on.
Too squirmy? Wait a minute, walk around gently, or try another position.
Lots of spit-up? Keep a burp cloth or bib nearby—and consider more frequent, gentle burping breaks during feeding. Keep in mind that spit-ups are generally harmless, even if it’s a projectile one. If your baby is happy after a big spit-up and acts as if nothing happened, it can be alarming to witness, but it’s just a laundry problem.
💤 What If Baby Falls Asleep Before/During Burping?)
It’s very common. It’s exhausting being a baby! When babies fall asleep before or while I’m burping them, I like to wake them and encourage them to eat some more. I want to make sure that they are satiated, to avoid snacking behavior, which can lead to poor sleep.
⛑️ Mylicon to the Rescue
If your baby still seems uncomfortable even after burping, Mylicon can be a helpful tool in your soothing toolkit. It works by breaking up gas bubbles in the stomach, making them easier to pass and easing that bloated, fussy feeling many newborns experience. I’ve seen firsthand how much relief it can bring—sometimes it’s the gentle nudge a baby’s digestive system needs to finally relax. Always check with your pediatrician first, but for many families, Mylicon has been a game-changer.
You can read my blog post about Mylicon here: Baby Gas Drops: Mylicon Benefits and Usage Guide
💡 The Bottom Line
Burping plays a big role in your baby’s feeding routine. Like most things in early parenthood, it takes practice—and patience. Every baby is different, and some need more help getting their burps out than others. With time, you’ll get to know what works best for your little one.