Baby burping guide

Baby Burping Guide

November 17, 2018

A very funny part of having your beautiful little baby is the surprising and often inappropriately timed bodily functions they are able to produce. They’re generally emitted when you least expect them, in a place where you are least able to deal with them, and when the whole entire room is silent.

It’s quite comical when you are gazing into your little angel’s eyes thinking she or he is the most perfect creation ever to have graced the planet and then ‘BURP!’ A very surprising noise erupts in your face. Or, if you have a reflux baby, it may even come with something more solid, or liquid, than air.

First of all, let’s consider; why do babies need to burp? When they feed, air gets in as well as breastmilk or formula. This causes gas bubbles which makes your scrumptious baby uncomfortable. You might see them squirming and wriggling, crying and going red in the face. These can be signs that gas is trapped and they need release!

So here at the Organic Baby Food Shop we put our heads together to help you deal with how to burp a baby, what are the best baby burping positions, and how long to burp a baby. Never fear, your answers are here. We were desperate for the best baby burping tricks too and we’re always on the lookout for a new technique to help our crunchy mummies and daddies.


Here is a great, short, very cute and funny video to help you get started. Thanks TheQuezada 5 for showing us how to burp a newborn baby and what a great and fast result! We’ve used this technique a lot amongst our staff at the Organic Baby Food Shop and it’s one of our favorites. Baby is sitting up, head supported by a U shape you create between your thumb and forefinger, cupping baby’s head. Baby’s belly is resting on your forearm and you gently lean baby forwards and pat their back. Don’t whomp them! It’s gentle patting, not brute force.

Need more baby burping tips? Of course there’s more ways to burp a baby. We also like the old ‘over the shoulder’ technique. Where you put baby over your shoulder and gently rub their back in a circular motion and pat them gently on the back to bring up air or reflux. Have a burping cloth ready just in case so that you can catch those sticky surprises!

If your baby is a bit older you could lay them belly down on a matt. This is called ‘tummy time’ and they can wriggle about and release their gas themselves. Another small step on the path to independence but don’t give them the keys to the car just yet!

So what is the best way to burp a baby? Well, there is no best way. Different babies react to different techniques. And what works one day may work the next. Variety is the spice of life so mix it up and work it into your routine regularly after feeding.

Maybe you’re thinking; do breastfed babies need to be burped? Yes they do, burping is important for every baby. It’s true that bottle fed babies do tend to take in more gas and require more burping, but this also depends on mom’s diet if she is breastfeeding. So if you have a gassy baby, consider staying away from soft drinks, beans and cauliflower for a while.

Ok so you’ve tried everything and still no luck. What if my baby won't burp after feeding? Well, one of our mom’s had this problem. And she called grandma to come and help and show her how to do it. And wouldn’t you know it grandma did it within a few seconds. Urg! Frustrating! But, never be afraid to watch videos, ask your partner, ask a relative, ask a friend. And just keep trying, you’re doing great!

Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in Organic Baby Food Shop Blog

Why Co-Sleeping Is Best For Baby
Why Co-Sleeping Is Best For Baby

March 22, 2023

If you are the parent of a baby or young child, sleep related topics are often common among conversations. New parents are bombarded with so many sleep related suggestions however, which immediately disrupts a parent from following their natural human intuition. Today we are going to discuss the topic of co-sleeping and all of the benefits it offers. From commonly asked questions to the natural benefits of bedsharing, let's dive in!

Read More

Baby Led Weaning: What It Is & How To Do It
Baby Led Weaning: What It Is & How To Do It

March 07, 2023

As your baby begins to demonstrate readiness skills for starting solids, offering them everyday food items that your family enjoys is a great way to set them up for a lifelong love of healthy food! We are going to uncover what exactly Baby Led Weaning is, how to implement, address common concerns and describe why it is so nutritionally beneficial for little tummies! 

Read More

The Importance of Playtime on the Floor
The Importance of Playtime on the Floor

February 20, 2023

If you are the parent of an infant, brainstorming activities to help entertain your baby is likely something you think about often. With so many gadgets and products out there marketed towards new parents, it is so easy to get caught up in buying a whole bunch of things, when in reality, it is the simple activities that will naturally capture your little one's attention and contribute to their development!

Read More