one of the necessary but somewhat
frustrating things that new parents talk
about is burping their baby it raises
all sorts of questions including how to
when to what if there's no burp how hard
do you pat and so forth that's why we
made this video series to help with at
home newborn care this video will cover
burping techniques my name is Gladys and
I am a maternity nurse specialist for
parent education at NYU Langone Medical
Center burping your baby isn't always
easy actually many new parents consider
it a challenge we're going to
demonstrate two burping techniques over
the shoulder and on the lap will answer
some frequently asked questions remember
that the reason you burp your baby is to
release gas this is the air that the
baby may have taken in during a feeding
babies feel better after burping and the
activity helps stimulate the baby to
four the over-the-shoulder technique you
can either do this sitting or standing
try them both out and see which works
best for you and your baby or you can
alternate sitting and standing to start
hold the baby up on your chest so the
baby is facing toward you with your arm
tucked under the baby's bottom for
support you'll want to put a burping
cloth over your shoulder in case the
baby spits up use your dominant hand to
gently but firmly pat your baby's back
between the shoulders working your way
up and down you can also rub the baby's
back after several paths after a while
you'll get to know your baby you'll
learn what seems to work best keep in
mind that breastfed babies tend to burp
less because they take in less air and
bottle fed babies and sometimes babies
don't burp at all which is perfectly
normal burp your baby for about a minute
and then continue feeding if your baby
seems upset and is crying try standing
or rocking your
maybe or talking to your baby the second
technique is where your baby is sitting
on your lap placing a burp cloth on your
leg the position looks like this you can
use either leg with a baby facing either
way notice that one open hand is holding
the baby's jaw the forefinger and thumb
are used as a sort of wedge with the
palm supporting the chest using firm but
gentle pressure tilt and support the
baby's head up a little at first it may
seem a little awkward but after some
practice it will be second nature
remember that there is nothing wrong if
the baby does not burp every time and if
the baby spits up just wipe and continue
again use your dominant hand to gently
but firmly pat your baby's back between
the shoulders working your way up and
down as we mentioned you can also rub
the baby's back after several paths one
common question parents ask is how often
to burp their baby during a feeding we
recommend burping your baby after the
baby feeds with each breast but if you
have expressed your breast milk and
someone else is feeding the baby try
half way through and again after the
feeding you may notice that if your baby
starts to fuss while feeding this may
indicate the need to burp be patient as
you learn what your baby needs and likes
burping your baby is another activity
that gives you hands-on contact as you
touch hold and talk with your baby all
of this adds to the bonding experience
as you gain experience burping your baby
will also be a confidence booster for
you after all there's nothing like
experience and we hope this at home
newborn care video has helped
you