How to Burp a Sleeping Baby?

Feeding on a bottle or breastfeeding can have a calming effect on the baby, and as a result, they might fall asleep right after the feeding session. However, this can become a problem if they have swallowed a lot of air during their mealtime, and not releasing this air can make it more difficult for them to relax. This is why many parents find making their baby burp during their sleep very important, but finding ways to burp them while sleeping can be challenging. If you are looking for ways for your baby to have a comfortable naptime while making them burp, then read on to learn more about how to burp a sleeping infant!

Why Is Burping Important?

When drinking milk, babies tend to swallow a lot of air that usually collects in their stomachs. This can later cause discomfort during their feeding session or while they are napping and lead to problems like excessive crying and squirming in discomfort. Swallowing air is not the only thing that might lead to bubbles getting stuck in your baby’s stomach. A few other reasons include digestion, allergic reactions or food intolerance to a particular good, the feeder’s diet in breastfeeding, and nipple flow. These problems can cause the little one some uneasiness, so burping is vital for parents to focus on after feeding.

Once you start trying different methods, you will quickly find out what the burp cycles of your baby are and whether they need to be burped during or after their mealtime. Your baby might not burp after every mealtime, and that is okay. However, if your baby has a lot of spit-ups and gas, you should talk to the doctor about it and learn more about their refluxes.

Can You Burp a Sleeping Newborn?

Yes, you can burp a sleeping newborn. Burping helps release any trapped air that your baby might have swallowed during feeding, and it’s important to do so to prevent discomfort, spitting up, or gas.

How to Burp a Sleeping Baby

It is possible to make your baby burp while sleeping without waking them up completely. Here is the step-by-step instructions on how to burp a sleeping baby without waking him up:

1. Shoulder

The shoulder method is perfect for babies who have a deep sleep. It could also be a helpful method for people who want to wake them up to continue their feeding. In this method:

• Place the baby upright and make them lean against your upper chest. Place one hand below their bottom like they are sitting on your arm. The head of the baby has to be on top of your shoulder.
• Now, use your other hand to pat between their shoulder blades gently. Let the pats be firm but make sure it is gentle enough for the baby.
• If your baby is not responding to patting, rub their upper back using your palm in circular motions.
• If you wish to wake the baby up, then slightly bounce them with your arms, which will not only wake them up but might also force the air bubble to come out.

2. Hip

The hip method is an excellent option for mothers who prefer breastfeeding their little ones while lying down. This method will also help keep the baby asleep because they are not completely upright.

• Place the baby’s tummy gently over their hips. Ensure that the head of the baby remains elevated over its entire body.
• In this position, gently pat the baby’s back using your palm.
• You could also rub it in an upward circular motion if patting does not help.

3. Chest

If your baby wakes up during shoulder burp, then try the chest burping methods instead. This might help them feel more comfortable and may allow them to sleep longer after mealtime.

• Lift the baby gently to the chest, placing one hand under their bottom and one hand on their back.
• Allow their body to stay in a curled-up position instead of letting their legs stretch out. This position is more likely to help them stay asleep.
• Rub the back of your baby by using the hand that is on their backside and make circular motions.
• Rubbing might not always work and in that case, try using gentle pats on their backs.

4. Arm Hold

The arm hold method can be perfect for smaller babies but might not always be practical once they get older.

• Place an arm under the baby’s back and rest their body on your forearm. This position might be perfect for your baby to feed as well.
• Now, carefully turn their body and allow them to rest on their belly on your forearm. Ensure that their head is placed in the crook of the elbow. Place your hand between their legs and make sure you and your baby are stable and comfortable.
• Pat, your baby, ’s back or rub their back in circular motions gently using your other hand.
• Once you are done, you can gently roll the baby towards your body, and they can lie on your arms face up to continue sleeping or feeding.

5. Lap

If you are sitting on the couch or a chair, then the lap might be the most effective method to make your baby burp while sleeping. This does not require your baby to stay upright, allowing them to feel more comfortable while sleeping.

• When in the sitting position, gently turn their body over onto their tummy and allow them to rest on your thighs,
• Place an arm under their chin and chest to raise their upper body a little to ensure they are comfortable.
• Your other hand can burp the baby by patting or rubbing its back in a firm but gentle way.
• Once the baby burps, turn the baby over and let them sleep on their backs.

How Long Does Burping Take

Usually, burping only takes less than two minutes, so you can burp a sleeping baby fast. Sometimes, babies might burp right after you move them into an upright position, but sometimes, you might have to wait for a few minutes and help them externally through gentle tummy pressure or pats. Another helpful way for your baby to get into the zone is to get them to sleep in their crib instead of letting them fall asleep while feeding. When you are feeding them, and you notice them falling asleep, you should stop feeding, give them a minute to burp, and then put them down to sleep. The quicker you start this habit, the easier it will be for you later on. If your little one feels uncomfortable and stiff more often and takes a lot of time to burp, then talk to your doctor about it, and they can provide you with ideas on how to help your babies relieve gas. Babies with bad acid reflux might need to stay upright for a long time, even as long as 30 minutes after eating, to make them burp.

What if Your Baby Doesn’t Burp

Your baby doesn’t need to burp after or during all of their feeding sessions. One reason for this could be because they did not swallow a lot of air while feeding. But this could also mean that you will have to try harder to get them to burp. In such cases, you might need to try other methods to get them to burp. One way to do it is to get them to burp while they are feeding. Usually, babies are often drowsier and would have swallowed more air when they are done feeding. To avoid letting them fall asleep with a lot of air inside them, try burping them when they are halfway done through their feeding session.

• If you have tried for 5 minutes or more to get them to burp and it still has not worked, gently lie them down on their back, either on a comfortable surface or in their crib, for a while. Please pick them up again after a few minutes and try burping them, and this might work since lying down for a while would help give the air bubbles some time to move around, making it easier for it to come out.
• Keeping the little one upright right after their feed is also an excellent way to let the air bubble escape without the help of a caretaker or a parent. You can do this by using a baby sling or a baby wrap. Even if the baby does not burp, there is no need to stress since sometimes, the baby might not burp since there is no air to release.
• Even if you have tried all of those methods and it still does not work, there is no need to worry at all; you could even try gripe water or gas drops from pharmacies to make your baby work but always talk to a doctor about it before you start any of them. If you are worried about your baby’s gas situation, the best thing to do is talk to a doctor about it, and they will suggest methods that are safe for your baby.

How to Prevent Excess Gas in Babies

Excess gas in babies is a common issue that can cause discomfort, fussiness, and crying. Fortunately, there are several ways to help reduce or prevent gas buildup and keep your baby more comfortable.

• Regular burping helps release swallowed air during feeding, preventing gas from accumulating.
• Hold the bottle at an angle so the nipple is always filled with milk, not air, reducing the air your baby swallows.
• Make sure the bottle nipple is the correct size and flow for your baby’s age to avoid them gulping excess air.
• Ensure your baby is latched correctly and positioned at the breast to minimize air intake.
• Regular tummy time helps stimulate digestion and can aid in releasing trapped gas.
• Massaging your baby’s tummy or bicycling their legs can help release trapped gas.

FAQs

1. Can burping a baby while sleeping cause them to wake up?

Burping a baby while they are sleeping can occasionally wake them up, but many babies remain undisturbed. Using gentle, slow movements and keeping the baby in a comfortable position during burping can help prevent waking.

2. Is it safe to burp a baby in a lying down position?

While it’s not the most effective method, burping a baby in a side-lying position can be done if they are soundly asleep. However, upright positions like over-the-shoulder or seated are typically more successful in releasing gas.

3. How long should I attempt to burp my sleeping baby?

If your baby is sleeping, you can try to burp them for about 1-2 minutes. If no burp comes up within that time, it’s generally safe to let them sleep, as not all babies need to burp after every feeding.

4. Should I still burp my baby at night if they’re not fussy?

Even if your baby isn’t fussy, it’s still beneficial to try burping them, especially if they tend to swallow air during feeding. Some babies may experience discomfort later if not burped, even if they seem content at the moment.

Though there are a few methods to burp baby when asleep, remember that each baby is different, and you might need to try various techniques to find a method that works for your baby the best. Once you find that method, it will be easy to ensure your baby burps after every feeding session.

References/Resources:

1. Why Babies Spit Up; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/feeding-nutrition/Pages/Why-Babies-Spit-Up.aspx

2. Burping Your Baby; Nemours Kids Health; https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/burping.html

3. Breaking Up Gas; American Academy of Pediatrics; https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Breaking-Up-Gas.aspx

4. Spitting up in babies: What’s normal, what’s not; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/healthy-baby/art-20044329

5. Gas in the Digestive Tract; National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gas-digestive-tract

6. Gastrointestinal Problems; Stanford Medicine; https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=gastrointestinal-problems-90-P02216

7. Infant reflux; Mayo Clinic; https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/infant-acid-reflux/symptoms-causes/syc-20351408

Also Read:

Baby Sleeping on Stomach
Baby Sweating in Sleeping
Why Does an Infant Smile while Sleeping?
How To Burp A Newborn Baby That Won’t Burp

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