Many babies fight against burping and may end up throwing a fit when they are in this situation. In this article, you will find tips on how to burp a baby that is hard to burp and the reasons why it works.
It happens to everyone. You are holding your precious baby and all of a sudden they start hiccuping.
The sound gets higher, the body tenses up, and you know that soon it will be loud enough to wake the dead.
This makes you wonder how to burp a baby that is hard to burp–then what?
Do you put them down? Do you hold them until they are done?
Luckily there is an answer!
There is a simple trick that you can use to finally get them to burp and not cause a scene. Here are some tips on how to burp a baby that is hard to burp.
4 Tips on How to Burp a Baby That Is Hard to Burp
#1) Tip 1: Lay Them Down On Their Back
When your baby won’t burp, make sure that they are laying on their back.
This is the best way to allow them to burp with ease, as it will avoid any unnecessary tension in the stomach area.
If they are sitting up or standing up, they might not have enough room to writhe around and this could cause them pain.
#2) Tip 2: Lean Them Forward And Pat At Least One Of The Back Spots
Make sure that your baby is leaning forward slightly when you pick them up from a lying-down position.
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With one hand holding them against your chest, use your free hand to firmly pat one of the spots located at the back of their neck.
This works for babies of all ages, including newborns.
#3) Tip 3: Be Aware Of Your Posture When Patting Or Laying Your Baby Down
This might sound like an odd tip to some parents, but how you position yourself when patting your baby’s back or laying them down on your lap can make all the difference in whether they start calming down or get even more agitated.
Make sure not to bend over them too much–this will only make it harder on both of you!
It is also helpful if you support their neck and head with your hand when laying them down because it will keep their head from tilting back too far.
#4) Tip 4: Burp Your Baby When They Are Being Held By Someone Else
If you want to know how to burp a baby that is hard to burp when there are other people around, you should ask someone else to hold your little infant while you gently pat their back.
You can then use this moment to burp your baby with ease, and there is no need for you to feel embarrassed or frustrated.
Methods on How to Burp a Baby That Is Hard to Burp
If your baby doesn’t, it is making him uncomfortable, you could try the following technique: put your baby over your shoulder facing away from you and pat his back gently.
This should jostle the gas loss enough so that he will need to release it through burping.
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If that does not work for some reason, then try method part 2 of how to burp a baby that is hard to burp: hold him upright on your knee with his chest resting on your arm. Supporting the neck and shoulders, rock him gently forward and backward for about 30 seconds or until he burps.
If that does not work either do some gentle bouncing while he is still upright on your knee before returning him to an upright sitting position.
If none of these tips work, you can try feeding him again since sometimes babies are gassy because they are hungry or had too much food.
You also might want to consider changing his diet if this continues to be a problem after every time he eats.
It might be worth it to consider giving him formula instead of breast milk if this issue persists as well. Just speak with your doctor about whether this is an okay idea for your situation.
Make sure to mention when it will be ok to try again with food, formula, etc.
It might not be bad to offer a few suggestions of foods you tried that worked or didn’t work in your home.
Also, remember that sometimes babies just cry and may not necessarily have excess gas. Babies are unique little beings and everyone is different so do not worry if this does not work right away because there could be other reasons why they are crying instead.
If the problem continues, consider seeing a pediatrician about what else could be causing this behavior.
And if your child does finally release the gas through burping, reward them with something like a small snack to let them know that this behavior is okay in your home.
When To Use The Method?
Remember that every baby is different, so not every baby will react positively to this technique when they are in the midst of having a difficult time burping.
Patting their back should only be done when they are calming down and seem to be in a less stressful state of mind, which means that this method is best used as a preventive measure rather than as a quick fix for quieting babies who are already fussy.
Try Different Methods Until You Find The One That Works For Your Baby
This might not work the first time you try it or even the 10th time.
But if you perform these steps regularly (without pressuring your baby into reacting), then eventually they will start responding positively to this technique.
They might even smile after taking a deep breath and letting out that pent-up burp!
Don’t give up and remember that every child is different.
Although this method works for most babies, some might end up getting more upset when you try to pat their back or lay them on their stomachs.
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Others might not have enough strength in their neck muscles yet to be able to lean forward comfortably. Patience is key when it comes to learning how to burp a baby that is hard to burp!
Extra Burping Tips And Reminders When To Burp Your Baby
While it is typically advised that you should burp your baby between 1/2 an hour and 45 minutes after they are fed, there are instances when this rule can be broken.
Newborns tend to need more frequent burps because they haven’t developed the ability to swallow food without getting too much air.
If they burp within 10 minutes of eating, this should be okay as long as there is nothing unusual about their stool such as mucus or blood.
If your baby needs to be fed right before you lay them down for a nap or at night, wait until after the feeding to lay them on their back and pat them with one hand while holding them snugly with your other arm.
This will help soothe both hunger pains and stomach discomfort caused by gas buildup.
How To Tell When Your Baby Is Done Burping
After you give your baby ample time to digest their food and release any trapped gas in their belly, it is important that you don’t just assume that they are done burping when they start fussing, whining, or crying.
You always want to make sure that their stomach doesn’t feel so full that it is causing them pain and discomfort before you lay them down on their back again for more burping.
What Happens if Your Baby Doesn’t Burp?
When your baby doesn’t burp, it’s important to watch for signs of discomfort, such as fussiness or crying. It’s also good to note if they are spitting up more than usual or if their abdomen seems unusually hard, which could be a sign of trapped gas.
If your baby displays any of these symptoms, you should take them to see their pediatrician immediately so that the doctor can diagnose the problem and recommend treatment options.
While waiting for the appointment, feed them smaller amounts throughout the day to reduce their risk of becoming uncomfortable while looking for solutions to help make burping easier in future feeds.
How long should you wait before trying again?
If the problem is related to your baby having too much gas, then you should try burping them after every 2 ounces (60 mL) that they drink.
If the problem is related to your baby having too little gas, then you should try burping them after every 4 ounces (120 mL).
It may take a couple of days for their body to adjust before you see results.
When Do Babies Stop Needing Burps?
While some babies do need extra help releasing excess gas due to digestive issues or food sensitivities, most will stop needing this type of assistance by around 3 months old.
It is because their digestive system gets stronger and can break down foods better at this age which means less gas build-up.
You can start weaning your baby off of needing burps around this time and if you see that they are still struggling to release gas, then you should contact their pediatrician.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you should be able to get the baby to burp so they are no longer uncomfortable or upset. If you have tried this process several times and it does not work, speak with your doctor about other solutions to this problem.
They may want to see if there are any other health issues present that are causing the gas pain for your child which will require further inspection.
Thank you for reading how to burp a baby that is hard to burp! We hope that you found our tips helpful!