Is It Ok to Put Baby to Sleep without Burping? How long should it take? How will I know when it’s done? Motherhood can be overwhelming, and it’s quite normal to have doubts and questions. Many times we second-guess ourselves when it comes to caring for our babies. From breastfeeding to burping, there’s a lot of information out there, and it’s hard to know what’s best for our little ones.

One of the most common questions among new moms is, “Can I put my baby to bed without burping them?” The short answer is yes; you can put your baby to sleep without burping them if your child sleeps soundly and isn’t uncomfortable. However, burping is a significant part of a baby’s development; it helps their bodies to grow, develop, and function properly.

Burping your baby after feedings can help to alleviate some of the discomfort and pain caused by air build-up in their stomachs. In this article, we’ll take a more in-depth look at why it’s essential to burp your baby and how you can do so without interrupting their sleep.

What is Burping?

Let’s start with the basics. Burping (or “belching”) is nothing but the process of releasing air from a baby’s digestive system. All babies swallow air during feeding because of their regular sucking and smacking of the lips, which lead to pain or discomfort due to gas build-up in their stomach and intestines.

Burping helps to expel this gas, reducing the amount of air trapped inside the digestive system and providing relief.

Does Science Back This Up?

Today, science challenges some of the old wives’ tales about burping. A recent study found that burping new-borns does not necessarily reduce the amount of air in their stomachs or eliminate colic symptoms. Another recent study published at ResearchGate suggests “burping during or after a feeding does not reduce regurgitation, colic symptoms, or the amount of air swallowed”. However, alternative studies suggest Burping is still beneficial.

This means that burping may not be as important as you might think, but it’s still a good idea to do it – if the baby is inclined– as part of a routine. Although not necessary for every feeding, burping has several benefits, and many mothers swear by it. It promotes healthy digestion and helps the baby’s digestive system to develop properly.

But why does this work? When your baby drinks from the bottle or breast, the air is swallowed along with the milk. This air collects in your baby’s stomach and can make them uncomfortable. Burping helps to relieve the pressure and discomfort caused by this trapped air, making your baby more comfortable and content.

When Should you Burp your Baby? 

Most experts and moms recommend burping your baby after every few minutes of feeding. This way, the air bubbles have time to escape, and your baby can be comfortable. You can also try burping your baby in the middle of a feeding session as well as at the end. Is it Ok to Put your Baby to Bed without Burping? The answer to this will largely depend on if they have recently fed, or if they are expressing discomfort.

Why Do We Burp Babies?

Burping a baby is an age-old practice passed down from generation to generation. Generally, it’s recommended that parents burp their babies after every few minutes of feeding or when they start to show signs of discomfort.

Whilst it’s Ok to Put Baby to Sleep without Burping, There are several benefits associated with burping, such as:

It Helps Prevent Infantile Colic

Burping helps relieve discomfort in the baby’s stomach, often caused by swallowed air. This helps reduce the risk of developing colic, a condition that causes excessive crying in infants.

It Helps the Baby to Relax

Burping helps your baby to expel air and gas from their stomach. This, in turn, reduces the amount of pressure in their belly, making them more comfortable.

It Helps Reduce Reflux Risk

Burping help keep your baby’s stomach contents down. This, in turn, can help to reduce the risk of reflux and spit-up.

It Helps Improve Digestion

Burping helps your baby’s digestive system by preventing air from getting trapped in the stomach. This can help improve digestion and the absorption of nutrients.

How to Burp a Baby

Burping your baby is easy! When you can ensure your little one has the opportunity to burp after every feed, you will be far more comfortable. After all, it’s much better for your baby to get rid of any excess air in their tummy than to have them suffer from a painful build-up. If they are not expressing any signs of discomfort, then It’s Ok to Put Baby to Sleep without Burping.

But how do you go about burping a baby? It’s actually quite straightforward, but there are some simple tips and tricks that you can use to make the experience easier – and more successful.

Here are 16 ways to help burp your baby.

Pat-on-the-Back: The Classic Method

This old-school burping technique is a tried and true method many parents rely on to get the job done. All you need to do is place your baby in a comfortable upright position (on your lap or over your shoulder) and use one hand to gently pat their back.

Be sure to support their head and neck with your other hand. This should help release trapped air, which will, in turn, allow them to burp.

Swaddle-up: The Snug Method

Wrapping your baby in a snug blanket or swaddle will help keep them in place while burying them. This can be an especially helpful tip if you have a squirmy baby who doesn’t want to stay still. Just make sure that their head and neck are properly supported while you’re patting their back. This method is great for Burping Babies before they Sleep.

Tummy-down: The Follow Through

This technique involves placing your baby on their tummy across your legs, with their head supported by the crook of your arm.

Once they’re in position, you can use your free hand to pat their back and encourage any trapped air to come out. This is especially effective for new-borns, as gravity helps draw out the air more quickly.

Burp-on-the-Shoulders: The Lean Back

This is an excellent trick for parents who want to keep their hands free while burping. To do this, you’ll need to place your baby upright over one shoulder and use your hand to support their head and neck. Then, gently lean back and wait for the burp to come out. Ensure you stay leaning back for a few minutes to allow the air to escape.

Bounce-on-the-Ball: The Movement Method

If your baby isn’t keen on being patted, this method may be just the thing. All you need to do is sit on a ball (an exercise or yoga ball works best) and bounce up and down. Your baby should follow the movement, which will help to encourage the air to escape. Be sure to support their head and neck with one hand while they’re bouncing.

Walk-it-off: The Movement Method

This is an excellent technique for babies who need some extra movement to help them burp. All you need to do is take them on a slow walk around the house while gently patting their back. The motion should help coax the air out of their tummy, while the gentle patting encourages it to escape.

Rub-it-out: The Massage Method

This is a wonderful tip for babies who need a more intensive burping experience. Start by lying your baby on their back and gently run your hands over their tummy in a circular motion. Then, switch direction and massage the area around their ribs using your fingertips. This should help to release any trapped air and encourage them to burp.

Bounce-and-Rock: The Combined Technique

This technique is amazing for parents who want to combine two burping styles. Start by placing your baby in an upright position on your lap and use one hand to pat their back gently. At the same time, start to rock your lap from side to side in a gentle motion. This should help coax out any trapped air while the patting encourages it to escape.

Make-a-Noise: The Vacuum Trick

This one may seem silly, but it can work wonders. Put your baby in a vertical position against your chest, and then make a “whistling” sound with your mouth. The noise should help your baby to relax, allowing them to release a burp. Just make sure to keep supporting their head and neck with your hand.

The Diaper Change Trick

This one is great if your baby hasn’t burped and you need a quick solution. Simply changing their diaper, as the process of being moved around and having their tummy uncovered, can help to encourage a burp. Just make sure you’re supporting their head and neck the entire time.

The White Music: The Techy Trick

This one is especially great for tech-savvy parents. You can re-purpose your Babies Sleeping Aid in order to create a Calming White Noise. The calming sound should help your baby to relax, allowing them to burp more easily. The Dreamegg White Noise Machine is a recommendation of ours, and will support with both Burping and Sleeping.

Car Ride: The On-the-Go Trick

This is a go-to technique for parents who are always on the go. While driving around for the sole purpose of burping your baby is not recommended, a car ride can effectively eliminate excess air. The combination of gentle motion and the engine’s sound is the key to success.

The Tummy Rub: The Relaxation Trick

This one is a great way to help your baby relax and get rid of trapped air. Sometimes just a simple tummy massage is enough to get the job done.

Put your baby in a vertical position against your chest, and then use your fingertips to gently rub their tummy in a clockwise motion. The pressure should help to release any trapped air.

The Football Hold: The Alternative Trick

This is a great option when your baby has already started crying. Simply hold your baby in one arm, and then use your other hand to support their head.

It may look a bit awkward, but the pressure against their tummy should help get rid of any trapped air.

Bicycle Position: Get them Pedalling

This is a classic burping technique passed down through the ages. Lie your baby on their back, and then gently move their legs in a bicycle-like motion. This helps push air up through the stomach and out, so it’s worth giving a go if your baby doesn’t burp in any other positions.

Singing Helps Sometimes: The Musical Trick

Yes, it’s true – sometimes singing can help get your little one to release a burp. Try singing a lullaby or nursery rhyme and see if that helps get a burp out. It may sound silly, but it can work!

Burping your baby is usually quite straightforward, but it can help to learn some of the tips and tricks that can make it easier. If nothing seems to be working, don’t panic! Just make sure your baby is comfortable, and try again later.

Tips and Tricks for Burping Your Baby

Some babies seem to burp almost effortlessly after a meal, while other little ones seem like they just can’t get the hang of it! If you’re the parent of one of these seemingly unburpable babies, don’t worry! There are plenty of tried and tested tricks to help you out.

From the classic pat-on-the-back technique to some more novel ways of burping your baby, here are our tips and tricks for easily burping your baby:

Pause between Feedings: The Patience Trick

One of the most common and effective ways to help babies burp is to simply pause between feedings. Pause after feeding your baby one side and allow them to burp before moving onto the second side. This gives the milk time to settle in their stomachs, meaning they’ll burp easier and faster.  As any parent knows, patience is a virtue!

Keep Burp Cloth Handy: The Clean-Up Trick

It often happens that when trying to burp your baby, you might end up with an unexpected surprise! Keep a super absorbant burp cloth within easy reach at all times, so you can quickly mop up any mess. You can find various burp clothes for your little one’s style.

Try Different Positions: The Variety Trick

As with your partner during yoga (just kidding!), different positions work for different people. Try different burping techniques and see which works best for your baby. The classic pat-on-the-back technique is often effective. Sitting up, however, can also encourage the baby to burp.

You could try having your baby sit on your lap when burping, or if they’re old enough and can hold their head up on their own, you can try the over-the-shoulder technique.

Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you and your baby!

Keep the Room Relaxing: The Ambience Trick

The environment can play a huge role in helping your baby relax and learn. It may seem counterintuitive, but playing relaxing music in the background or having a fan running to create white noise can help keep your baby calm and relaxed, making those burps much easier.

Turn on the Vibes: The Motion Trick

We all know that babies love movement. Turn on the vibration of your baby’s high chair, swing, or car seat, and you may just be able to encourage some burps out of them.

These are just a few tips and tricks that might help you burp your baby with ease. Above all, remember to be patient and enjoy the process. Every baby is different, and it might take some trial and error before you find what works best for you and your little one!

Should you Worry if Your Baby Doesn’t Burp before Sleeping?

It is normal for some babies to not burp at all. In fact, most breastfed babies don’t require burping as they are able to digest the milk more efficiently. It’s Ok to Put Baby to Sleep without Burping, so long as they are comfortable.

If you have tried all of the above methods and your baby still isn’t burping, don’t worry! The most important thing is that your baby is content and happy. If you are concerned, though, always consult your paediatrician for advice.

Is it Common for Babies to Spit Up?

It is actually ubiquitous for babies to spit up their milk while burping. This isn’t something to be concerned about as long as your baby is still gaining weight and growing. In fact, it is pretty normal for new-borns to give a “milk shower” after feeding.

Babies spit up food and milk, also known as reflux or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) because their digestive system is still developing. This can happen before, during, and after feeds. When the stomach muscles are not fully developed to keep food and milk down, it can cause a baby to spit up. Most babies outgrow this by 12 months old.

Does Burping Help Prevent Spit Up?

Burping a baby may seem like an old wives’ tale, but it is actually an essential and effective technique to decrease the amount of spit-up that your baby experiences.

Burping your baby throughout feeds helps to allow any air they might have swallowed while feeding to escape. This, in turn, reduces the amount of gas and pressure that builds up in their stomach, leading to uncomfortable spit-up episodes.

Final Thoughts

Moms, especially first-time mamas, can get overwhelmed by the seemingly daunting task of burping their babies. But rest assured; it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience for either you or your baby.

Is It Ok to Put Baby to Sleep without Burping? Yes! However, it is still a good idea to give your little one a few burps in between feeds and after to help prevent uncomfortable spit-up episodes. The trick is to find the best techniques for your baby and stick with them.

It requires some trial and error to find the appropriate technique that works for you. With a little patience and practice, burping your baby will become second nature in no time. And even if you don’t manage to get those burps out of your little one, as long as they are content and happy, it is nothing to worry about.

So mamas, take a deep breath and enjoy the process. You got this!