Burping a Baby
As a new parent, you may feel overwhelmed with the responsibility of caring for your little one. One of the most important aspects of infant care is ensuring that your baby is comfortable and free from discomfort. Burping occurs when a baby removes some of the air bubbles swallowed during feeding. Burping your baby is an essential part of this process, but it can be tricky to know how to do it effectively. Have you ever wondered why burping is necessary, or how to do it correctly? In this article, we will explore the importance of burping, how to do it properly, and some tips to make the process easier for both you and your baby. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how to keep your little one happy and healthy. Please keep reading for details on the following topics:
The importance of burping
Signs that baby has trapped air
How to alleviate trapped gas
Ways to burp a baby
Avoiding gassiness in a baby
Gas forming foods
IMPORTANCE OF BURPING
To relieve pain caused by gassiness
To prevent vomiting
To relieve discomfort caused by trapped air in the stomach
TRAPPED AIR IN A BABY
Babies are delicate creatures that require special care and attention, including making sure they are not exposed to trapped air. When a baby is exposed to trapped air, it can be uncomfortable and even potentially dangerous. In this article, we’ll discuss the effects of trapped air on babies, how to identify trapped air, and some tips to help reduce the amount of trapped air in your baby’s environment.
SIGNS THAT A BABY HAS TRAPPED AIR
Crying
Arched back
Drawing up of the legs into the tummy
Clenching the fists
Becoming squirmy
Becoming fussy
Pulling away from the breast or bottle
Baby pauses while feeding to look around
HOW TO ALLEVIATE TRAPPED AIR
Burping
Massaging the belly whilst baby is laying on the baby
Moving the legs in a back-and-forth motion
Seeking advice from a medical professional
WAYS TO BURP A BABY
Over the shoulder
With baby held in a vertical position, rest the head on the mother’s shoulder
Cup the free hand and pat the baby’s back gently
Pat the back with your other hand.
Sitting on the lap
Place baby on the mother’s lap in a sitting position
Support the chest and chin with one hand
Use the other hand to rub or pat the back
Lying across your lap
With baby resting on the mother’s lap in a face down position
The baby’s back can be rubbed or patted gently
BURPING POSITIONS
HOW TO AVOID GASSINESS IN A BABY
Choosing a bottle with the correct size nipple that matches the age of baby can minimize the amount of excess air that baby swallows
Allowing the formula to settle after mixing the bottle before feeding baby (to eliminate some of the air bubbles)
If milk flows from the bottle or mother’s nipple either too fast or too slow, the baby will swallow more air
Place baby in a position where the head is higher than the stomach to make it easier for baby to burp
Remember to always position baby with the head higher than the tummy
Always burp the baby before switching breasts, every few milliliters of formula and after finished feeding
Baby may swallow less air whilst breastfeeding than bottle feeding
Gas forming foods from the mother’s diet can contribute to the baby’s gassiness
GAS FORMING FOODS
Gas forming foods are a type of food that can cause uncomfortable bloating and flatulence. These foods contain certain compounds that are broken down by bacteria in the large intestine, producing gas. Eating these foods can lead to digestive discomfort, but understanding which foods are the culprit can help minimize the effects. Common gas forming foods include:
Beans
Lentils
Onions
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Brussels sprouts
Beans
Soda
Sugar-free candies
Gum