Get Rid of Baby Gas by Burping

While most new parents are aware that burping their baby is a must, it can be difficult to know if you’re doing it correctly. You try one way, but it doesn’t get that baby gas out, while the same method works just fine for your friend’s baby. You aren’t doing anything wrong, sometimes you just need to switch techniques.

Every baby is different. Some will burp within seconds of being put up on the shoulder, others will actually burp on their own. But some just refuse to let that baby gas out! Here are a few different ways to get your baby to burp:

Over the Shoulder Pat
This is the classic and the one that most new moms will be shown in the hospital. You simply put the baby upright, with his head on your shoulder and pat his back, about where his little stomach is. This encourages the gas to come up and can be very effective since gas tends to rise and therefore will go up and out the baby’s mouth.

Over the Knee Pat
This is for the baby that just isn’t burping in the upright position. You may want to put down a burp cloth, since this position, especially right after feeding, is very likely to cause some spit-up, due to pressure on the baby’s tummy. Sit down and lay the baby over your lap, arms and head on one side, feet on the other and pat his back firmly.

Sitting Burp
For slightly older babies, who can already hold their heads up (this is also when it may become more difficult to burp your baby, thanks to stronger muscles in the stomach opening). Sit the baby on your lap, using one hand to support his body leaning forward slightly, and your other hand to pat his back firmly.

Knee Bounce
If your little one really can’t get that gas out, try this technique. It is best used with babies who can hold their heads up fairly well. Sit the baby on your knee, supporting him with both hands and jiggle your knee to bounce him gently. This is quite effective in burp-resistant babies.

Baby gas is best eliminated by burping, but there will be times when your little ones simply won’t need to burp. This will become more and more common as he gets older. If he doesn’t seem uncomfortable after a few minutes of not burping, even though you are trying all the above techniques, he might just not have gas. In that case, let him play or sleep and don’t worry about it!