Do you Need to burp a bottle fed baby?
Yes, but you may not always get a burp from them.
A bottle or cup fed baby should always be given the opportunity to have frequent longer breaks during their feed. I generally recommend to parents that they split the feed into 3. So if you are offering a baby 30mls of milk then you would be aiming to give them a winding break after they have had around 10 ml of milk.
You would of course be observing your baby for any signs that they want a break.
If you are looking for information on burping a breastfed baby then please check out this separate post.
Signs that your baby needs a break
Cues that may mean your baby needs a break during the feed
- wrinkled forehead,
- stretched out hands,
- looking surprised at the flow,
- wide eyes,
- turning their head away,
- dribbling milk,
- falling asleep suddenly.
If your baby is displaying any of these signs then offer them a break and the chance to burp. When bottle feeding I always recommend you offer the milk using a paced feeding method. I provide more information on paced bottle feeding in this post and my online breastfeeding course.
Will my baby always bring up a burp?
Not always. What you are doing when you are winding your baby is giving your baby the opportunity to burp. If after a few minutes of winding they have not provided you with a satisfying burp then there is generally no need to continue to wind your baby.
Its likely that you will quickly become attuned to the needs of your baby and what they are communicating to you so you will likely know if more time spent burping is necessary for your baby.
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Positions for burping your baby
There are a number of positions that you can use to help your baby burp. Most of them are combined with either patting or stroking your baby’s back in an upward direction. The pressure for this should always be appropriate for the age of the baby you are supporting. I generally suggest choosing a position that the parent feels comfortable and confident using. Parents will usually find their own position variation that works well for them and their baby. I usually advise against anything that involves too much movement such as fast circling of the torso or positions where the baby becomes slumped over as this can make burping difficult for a baby.
Burping your Baby Over your shoulder
Over your shoulder is a fairly classic position for burping a baby. Parents often like it as they feel secure holding their baby. It usually works best when the baby is held high on your shoulder as this allows some gentle pressure on their tummy. A gentle pat on their back or some upwards stroking can also be of benefit. Occasionally a baby may bring up a small amount of milk with a burp so you may want to place a muslin on your shoulder.
Burping your Baby On your knee
Done right this position can work really well for a newborn baby. Sit them on your knee and position them with a straight back and a slight forward lean. You can use one hand to support them under their jaw and the other to gently pat or stroke their back. Some parents will also circle their baby’s torso in this position, rotating from their hips. This can be beneficial but be mindful of not moving them too quickly.
Ensure that your baby’s back remains straight in this burping position. Try not allow them to slump forwards.
Burping your Baby On you arm
When I’m working with parents with brand new babies they often look at me in alarm when I show them this position. But its a great one and babies seam to enjoy it too. I recommend keeping your baby close to you in this position so you have the support of your tummy should they wriggle.
In this position you will lay your baby across your forearm and hold them between their legs. You then use your other hand to rub their back.
Burping your Baby On their tummy
In this position you can combine winding with some tummy time. You can use a tummy time roll, a rolled up towel or even just a kitchen roll to lift them and provide some gentle pressure on their abdomen. Again you should be stroking or gently patting their back to aid them.
