Burping Your Baby With Ease

Is There a Right Way to Burp a Baby?

For new parents, burping is often one of those mysterious parts of baby care. We see it in movies, hear about it in every baby guide, and find ourselves constantly trying to master the art.

But did you know that, as one mum on TikTok shows, burping isn’t just about the tapping or rubbing? It’s more about movement, positioning, and allowing the baby's body to release those stubborn air bubbles. We’ll walk you through a unique approach that can make burping easier—and answer some common questions along the way.

The Power of Positioning and Movement in Burping

When you think of burping, do you imagine gentle pats on the back or a rhythmic rub? While these methods are helpful, they’re only part of the picture. According to this mum’s video, movement and positioning help a baby burp. By gently moving your baby’s hips or allowing their body to stretch out, you create the length and space for trapped air to release. 

This is especially helpful for parents who find burping tricky, like the mum who said, “My baby is so difficult to burp during night feeds because he is so sleepy after a feed. Easy during the day, but night is impossible, and then he's restless when I lay him down again.”

The solution? Try incorporating movement. For example, the over-the-shoulder burping technique encourages the baby’s natural movements.

The Over-the-Shoulder Technique

Now, here’s where the technique comes into play. When using the over-the-shoulder burping position, dangle your baby’s hips and legs to let their body naturally straighten out. Settle them onto your shoulder once their body is stretched but with a twist. 

Make sure your shoulder is gently but firmly pressing against your tummy. This provides enough support for the baby’s head while letting gravity do the heavy lifting.

In this position, their tummy is aligned for gas to travel upwards, making it easier for them to release a burp. Try gently wiggling their bottom from side to side for an extra boost. This little movement is key—it helps ease any pressure without needing constant tapping or rubbing.

What to Do if the Burp Is Still Stuck

If you’ve tried this position for about a minute and still have no burp, don’t stress! This mum has another tip for you. Bring the baby down, straighten them, and pop them onto your other shoulder. This switch in position, combined with the brief break in movement, can often stimulate the release of trapped air.

Remember, the most essential part isn’t the action itself but the constant flow of gentle movement. If your baby still hasn’t burped, try different burping positions, staying mindful of gentle movements between each attempt. Often, the natural motion gives your baby’s little body the nudge it needs.

What About Babies Who Don’t Burp After Every Feed?

A question a parents asked is, “My baby is one year old now, and she doesn’t burp anymore after milk. Is it normal? She drinks milk twice a day.” The answer is yes—this can be normal! As babies grow, their digestive systems mature, and they tend to swallow less air during feeds, especially once they’ve transitioned to fewer bottle or breastfeeding sessions. Older babies often develop a more natural rhythm in drinking and digesting, meaning fewer or no burps are necessary.

Some parents also find that their baby naturally self-regulates at night, swallowing less air because their bodies are more relaxed. Another parent shared, “I read that babies swallow much less air during night feeds, so they don’t always have air to come out. I’ll try and burp for a minute or two, then put my baby down, and it’s been fine for him.” 

This reflects what many parents experience: that nighttime feeds are sometimes calmer, meaning the baby may not need as much help with burping. But if your baby seems restless or gassy after a night feed, gentle movements and switching positions can still help.

Burping Sleepy Babies at Night: Finding What Works

Burping during night feeds can be particularly challenging because babies are often so relaxed and sleepy that it feels almost impossible to get them to burp. A simple trick is to let them rest on your shoulder for a bit before trying to burp, using gentle movements like a bottom wiggle or a slow rock from side to side. This lets their body relax into the movement, which can often help release any trapped air without waking them up too much.

If you’re finding that your baby stays restless after a night feed, it might be worth trying this mum’s approach: a gentle shift in position, then let them rest for a minute, and then try again. You may find that a burp naturally emerges by allowing them to move gradually between positions. 

And remember, if they don’t burp after a couple of minutes and seem comfortable, it’s usually safe to lay them back down—some babies genuinely don’t need to burp after every feed, especially at night.

Trust Your Baby’s Rhythm

Every baby is unique; some will burp easily after every feed, while others may need just a few taps or none. Over time, you’ll get to know what works best for your little one. Babies’ bodies mature quickly, and their ability to process milk and manage air bubbles improves with age.

 As one mum experienced, sometimes a relaxed approach to burping—trying for a couple of minutes, then laying baby down if they seem comfortable—is all that’s needed.

In the end, there is no one “right” way to burp, but understanding that movement and positioning affect the process can relieve some of the pressure.