💨 Burping baby after a bottle or breastfeed

What you'll need

• A clean burp cloth or small towel.
• A comfortable seat where you can stay awake and support baby securely.

Try gently, without forcing it

1. 1. Notice discomfort

   If baby squirms, pulls away or seems uncomfortable, pause the feed. You can also offer a burping opportunity afterwards, but a content baby does not need repeated attempts.

2. 2. Try your shoulder

   Hold baby upright against your chest with the head and neck supported and the nose and mouth clear. Gently rub or lightly pat the back.

3. 3. Or try sitting on your lap

   Sit baby on your lap, leaning slightly forward. Support the chest and jaw without pressing on the throat, and keep the head steady while gently rubbing the back.

4. 4. Follow baby's response

   If no burp comes and baby seems comfortable, stop. An awake, supervised upright cuddle may help after a feed, but there is no compulsory duration.

5. 5. Return to safe sleep

   Put baby on their back on a firm, flat mattress in their own clear cot, in your room for at least the first 6 months. Do not incline the mattress or use a side-sleeping position for reflux.

Classic mistakes

• ❌ Patting hard Gentle rubbing or light pats are enough. Never shake or bounce baby vigorously to bring up a burp.
• ❌ Dismissing concerning vomiting Small spit-ups can be common, but green, bloody or repeated forceful vomiting needs urgent assessment. Ask your local primary health centre or a paediatric clinician about painful feeds, poor growth or persistent feeding difficulty.

Same topic

• 🍼 Measuring and preparing a formula bottle
• 🥕 Starting solids: a practical beginner's guide
• 🥛 Storing expressed breast milk
• 📈 Growth spurts: beyond the 3-6-9 rule