is it necessery each time to burp an 8 months old? he is so active and he dies not stay in one place for burping.. sometimes he rolls back on his tummy and do burping on his own and sometimes he doesnt. what to do

Question

is it necessery each time to burp an 8 months old? he is so active and he dies not stay in one place for burping..  sometimes he rolls back on his tummy and do burping on his own and sometimes he doesnt. what to do

Accepted Answer

At 8 months old, it becomes less critical to burp a baby after every feeding compared to the newborn stage. Here are a few points to consider:

### **Burping an 8-Month-Old Baby:**

1. **Decreasing Need for Burping:**
   - As babies grow older and their digestive systems mature, they generally swallow less air while feeding. Many 8-month-old babies can burp on their own, especially if they are active and move around after feeding.
   - If your baby is rolling onto their tummy or is very active after feeding, they may naturally release any trapped air without needing additional help.

2. **Signs Your Baby Needs to Burp:**
   - **Fussiness or Discomfort:** If your baby seems uncomfortable, fussy, or pulls away during feeding, it might indicate trapped gas.
   - **Spitting Up:** If your baby spits up often after feedings, it might be helpful to burp them.

3. **When to Burp:**
   - **After Bottle Feeding:** It is usually more necessary to burp a baby after bottle feeding than after breastfeeding, as bottle feeding can cause more air intake.
   - **When They Seem Uncomfortable:** If your baby seems uncomfortable or gassy, try to burp them, but don’t worry if they don't burp every time.

4. **Alternative Burping Techniques:**
   - **Allow Active Movement:** Allowing your baby to move around and roll can help them burp on their own.
   - **Gentle Patting:** If your baby is resistant to staying still for burping, you can try patting their back gently while they are sitting on your lap or when they are in a semi-upright position.
   - **Over-the-Shoulder:** Hold your baby upright over your shoulder and gently pat or rub their back. This position might allow them to burp more naturally.

5. **Trust Your Baby’s Signals:**
   - Many older babies will naturally burp or pass gas when needed. If your baby does not seem to be in discomfort and is generally content after feeding, it is okay not to burp them every time.

### **What to Do:**

- **Follow Your Baby’s Cues:** If your baby is content and not showing any signs of discomfort, you don’t need to force a burping session.
- **Be Gentle and Patient:** If you feel the need to burp your baby and they are resisting, be gentle. Try burping them for a few minutes, and if nothing happens and they seem fine, it is okay to stop.
- **Allow Movement:** Letting your baby move freely, especially tummy time, can help them expel gas naturally.

In summary, it is not strictly necessary to burp an 8-month-old after every feeding, especially if they seem comfortable and are burping on their own. Trust your instincts and your baby’s cues.