What is burping?

Burping is a normal way for your body to release air via your mouth from your upper digestive system. Another name for burping is belching or ‘bringing up wind’. Burping is generally caused by swallowing air when eating or drinking.

Most of the air expelled when burping comes from your oesophagus (food pipe) before it reaches your stomach.

Do I need to burp my baby?

Adults often associate burping with the relief of discomfort. The uncomfortable, full feeling you have just before burping goes away after you burp. It is fair then to link the same uneasy feeling to babies when they are feeding. There is limited research to show that burping helps reduce discomfort, colic or spitting up in babies.

Burping your baby does not harm them. Some people feel reassured that they are making their baby feel more comfortable after burping them.

When is the best time to burp my baby?

There are no strict rules when it comes to burping. Some babies will burp on their own without any help, even when they are feeding.

It does not make a difference if your baby is feeding from the breast or bottle. Babies can benefit from having a pause during their feeds to burp.

Some parents will check if their baby wants to burp:

• when their sucking slows down during feeds
• when they start fussing or stop sucking during feeds
• between sides when breastfeeding
• halfway through a feed
• at the end of a feed

How do I burp my baby?

You’ll work out what works best for you and your baby by trying a few burping positions. Most babies burp more easily if they are held upright after a feed, though they don’t need to be.

It is common and normal for babies to bring up small amounts of milk when they burp. Keep a cloth handy to mop up any spills.

Here are some different positions you can try to burp your baby:

• Hold your baby up over your shoulder. Support your baby with your hand on the same side. When your baby is upright, gently pat or rub their back with your other hand.
• Sit your baby up on your lap and lean them forward slightly with their tummy against your hand. This gentle pressure may help your baby to bring up their wind. Rub or pat their back with your other hand.
• Gently place your baby across one of your thighs, so there is pressure over their tummy. Support your baby’s head with one hand. Gently rub their back with your other hand.

Why do babies get wind?

Young babies can get wind if they swallow air when they are feeding. Usually, it does not cause serious problems for your baby. Some babies might swallow larger amounts of air than usual when they feed or have trouble passing it. This can make them seem distressed.

If your baby is breastfeeding

Be mindful of your let-down and how quickly your milk is flowing. Some people have a very rapid flow and newborns can struggle a little until they get better at coordinating their suck-and-swallow pattern.

Some parents try using drops containing the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri to treat colic. They are safe for healthy babies, but there is not enough research to prove how effective probiotics are in treating colic. Speak with your doctor or a lactation consultant before you start giving probiotics to your baby.

If your baby is bottle feeding

Here are some tips to help your baby if you bottle feed:

• Time your baby’s feeds. If you feel they’re drinking too quickly, try using a slower teat.
• Hold your baby on a slight incline in your arms so any air bubbles rise to the top — this can make burping easier.
• Give your baby more frequent pauses when they are feeding. Sit them up and see if they want to burp.

When should I take my baby to the doctor?

It is important you take your baby to the doctor if:

• they are vomiting large amounts of milk or food
• they vomit with force (‘projectile vomiting’)
• they seem unwell or have a temperature
• they are refusing feeds or having less than half their normal feeds
• they do not seem to settle or continue to cry for long periods
• you feel the crying is impacting on your relationship with your baby, or you are finding it hard to feel positive about them
• your mental health or your relationship with your partner is being affected

Remember, always follow your instincts — take your baby to be checked by a doctor if you’re worried for any reason, or if you feel you are not coping.

Resources and support

• Learn more about wind in babies on the Australian Breastfeeding Association website.
• Visit the Sydney Children’s Health Network webpage for helpful information about common newborn concerns you may have.
• The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne has information about colic and unsettled babies.

Languages other than English

• Raising Children have a factsheet on how to burp a baby and get rid of wind, available in 10 languages.
• The Sydney Children’s Health Network has a fact sheet about common newborn concerns in many community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

• The Australian Breastfeeding Association has a collection of resources about breastfeeding for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Watch Breastmilk Talk: ‘Ngaminjang Djama’ — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mums having a yarn about the benefits of breastfeeding.