Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Every baby is different. If your baby is showing signs of severe discomfort, feeding difficulties, or persistent gas issues, please consult a pediatrician or qualified healthcare professional.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Every baby is different. If your baby is showing signs of severe discomfort, feeding difficulties, or persistent gas issues, please consult a pediatrician or qualified healthcare professional.
When gas bubbles get trapped in your baby’s stomach, they can cause a feeling of fullness and discomfort. Burping helps release these gas bubbles up the esophagus and out of the mouth.
So how can you tell if your baby needs to burp? If your little one is feeling uncomfortable due to trapped gas that burping could relieve, you may notice the following signs:
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Excessive crying
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Arched back
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Clenched fists
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Pulling their legs up to their belly
How To Burp Your Newborn Baby
Sometimes babies burp on their own without any help or special positioning. But more often than not, they need a little assistance, and there are several gentle ways to help the process along. The three most common burping positions are: over your shoulder, sitting on your lap, and lying across your lap. Choose the position that feels most comfortable and effective for both you and your baby.
No matter which method you choose, start by placing a burp cloth, bib, towel, or cloth diaper under your baby’s chin before you begin. This helps catch anything that comes up and avoids a spit-up mess.
Over Your Shoulder
For the over-the-shoulder burping method, follow these steps:
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Stand or sit comfortably, leaning back slightly.
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Hold your baby under their bottom for support.
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Make sure they are upright and facing behind you, with their chin resting on a soft cloth to absorb any spit-up.
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Gently tap or rub the fingertips of your free hand across your baby’s shoulder blades. Your baby may move back and forth a bit—this won’t hurt as long as your shoulder supports their head.
Sitting on Your Lap
For lap-sitting burping, follow these steps:
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Place your baby sideways on your lap, with their chest leaning slightly forward.
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Position your hand under their chin (not their throat) to support their chest and head.
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Pat their back across the shoulder blades to help them burp.
Lying on Your Lap
For this lying-down method, follow these steps:
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Lay your baby facedown across your knees on their belly, and support their head with your lap, arm, or hand.
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Make sure their head is slightly higher than the rest of their body.
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Firmly but gently rub and pat their back.
Do You Need to Burp a Breastfed Baby?
There can be a gap between professional guidance and real-life experience. Many parents are told by lactation consultants or nurses that breastfed babies don’t need to be burped. However, in practice, many find that without burping, their baby becomes uncomfortable, spits up more, or shows signs of gas pain.
The truth is, whether a breastfed baby needs burping depends on the individual child.
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Some babies must be burped — otherwise they cry, spit up, or experience painful gas.
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Others never need burping and do just fine.
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And some babies burp entirely on their own without any intervention.
Trust your observations of your baby’s cues more than any one-size-fits-all rule.
Tips for Burping a Very Gassy Baby
If your baby seems especially gassy, these additional strategies may help:
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A highly effective alternative move – Gently fold your baby’s knees toward their belly and apply light pressure (a "crunch" motion). Many parents report that this helps release gas almost every time.
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Medication support options – Simethicone drops (such as Mylicon) and probiotics are widely recommended as safe and effective choices. These can be used multiple times a day, but always check with your pediatrician first.
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Other helpful methods – Gentle bouncing on a yoga ball, holding your baby upright, tummy time, using a baby bouncer, or placing a warm water bottle on the belly (with a cloth barrier) can also provide relief.
Remember: Every baby is unique. What works for one may not work for another. When in doubt, reach out to your pediatrician — they are your best partner in navigating your baby’s health and comfort.
