When Can I Stop Burping my Baby?
It’s late at night, you’re tired and all you want is to go back to sleep, but you know that if you don’t get your little one to release that elusive burp, you may be up for even longer. Burping a baby can be frustrating, to say the least. You may therefore be wondering at what point baby will be able to release the gas himself. Read on to find out when you can stop with the burping routine and how you can help your baby cope with excessive air swallowing and gas build-up.
At a glance: Babies tend to suck in air when they feed which causes the build-up of air in the stomach. This can cause incredible discomfort. Bottle-fed babies are more susceptible to a gas build-up than breastfed babies because of the increased milk flow from the bottle. In order to reduce this discomfort, you can help your baby release the gas through a burp. Burp baby frequently – in between switching breasts, or if bottle-fed, after ingesting 2 – 3 ounces (60 – 90ml) of milk. New research has found, however, that burping a baby does not necessarily reduce colic and can cause regurgitation in babies, so don’t burp them too much. You can stop burping a baby at around the age of 4 – 6 months old when the baby starts with solids and is able to move around a bit more independently.
Why do I need to burp my baby?
Babies tend to suck in and swallow air while they feed. This causes the build-up of gas bubbles in the stomach and results in a feeling of discomfort and fullness. Bottle-fed babies are more susceptible to a build-up of gas because milk flows faster than from the breast. However, breastfed babies can also swallow air if the let-down reflex is fast, or the baby is hungry and is sucking vigorously. It is often difficult for babies to release the gas themselves, and so it is important to position them correctly and gently pat them on the back until they burp. They may sometimes spit the milk up during the burping process.
When should I burp my baby?
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), you should burp your baby regularly even if they do not show signs of discomfort after feeding. If you are breastfeeding, burp your baby in between switching breasts. Bottle-fed babies can be burped after ingesting around 2 to 3 ounces (60 – 90ml) of milk before continuing to feed. If your baby doesn't burp after a few minutes of patting them on the back in different positions, you can assume that they don’t need to burp and can resume feeding. Burp them again at the end of the feed.
Some babies are definitely gassier than others and may need to be burped more frequently. However, many parents make the mistake of disrupting feeding sessions with excessive and unnecessary efforts at burping. This lengthens the feeding time, increases air swallowing, and can frustrate a hungry baby.
Furthermore, although burping a baby is almost synonymous with parenthood - a conditioned response to feeding - new research has found that it may not necessarily lower colic events and in fact, could increase regurgitation episodes in babies. In other words, don’t burp your baby unnecessarily.
When can I stop burping my baby?
In general, it has been found that you can stop burping your baby at around the age of 4 – 6 months old. At this stage, the baby's digestive system is mature enough to handle the air that is swallowed, and they will be able to release it themselves. At 4 – 6 months, your baby also has more control of his body, can turn from side to side, can hold his head up effectively, and has started eating solids. If, however, you notice that your baby is still experiencing discomfort after a feed, continue with your burping regime.
What if my burping techniques aren’t working?
Try other techniques or positions to help your baby release the gas. The following guidelines may help reduce the gas in your infant:
Perform infant massage and push the legs back and forth in a bicycling motion while they lie flat on their back.
Try to figure out what may be causing excessive gas – if you are breastfeeding, it could be diet-related – your baby may be reacting to your consumption of dairy, for example.
In bottle-fed babies, choose an age-appropriate nipple and let the milk settle a bit after shaking the bottle before feeding your baby.
If nothing helps to relieve your baby’s discomfort after feeding, you may consider purchasing over-the-counter medicines.
In conclusion, burping a baby can cause a lot of stress, especially if you aren’t able to relieve the gas. Babies swallow air when they feed, causing abdominal discomfort. Burp your baby frequently – when switching breasts or in the case of bottle-fed babies, after 2 – 3 ounces of formula, and then continue with feeding. You can stop burping a baby at around the age of 4 – 6 months but may need to continue with your burping regime if you notice they’re unable to relieve the gas themselves. Other positions and techniques may prove useful for releasing the gas, including bicycling their legs, reducing the amount of gas-producing foods you are consuming before breastfeeding (such as dairy), choosing an age-appropriate nipple, and allowing the bottle to settle after shaking it in bottle-fed babies, and possibly purchasing over-the-counter medicines to relieve your baby’s discomfort.
References
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kellymom. (2018). Reusing expressed breastmilk. Retrieved December 2020, from kellymom: https://kellymom.com/bf/pumpingmoms/milkstorage/reusing-expressedmilk/
Krupa, A. (2020). How to store Breast Milk: Breast Milk Storage Guidelines. Retrieved December 2020, from what to expect: https://www.whattoexpect.com/first-year/breastfeeding/storing-breast-milk
Medela. (n.d.). How to store, freeze and thaw breast milk. Retrieved December 2020, from Medela: https://www.medela.com/breastfeeding/mums-journey/storing-and-thawing-breast-milkMayoClinic. (2020).
Breast milk storage: Do's and don'ts. Retrieved December 2020, from Infant Lifestyle - Infant and toddler health: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/breast-milk-storage/art-20046350