How to Burp a Newborn: Positions, Timing and Gentle Tips

To burp a newborn, hold the baby upright or tummy-down with the head and neck supported, then pat or rub the back gently for a few minutes during and after a feed. The aim is to help swallowed air escape so the baby feels comfortable and has room for the rest of the milk. Not every feed produces a burp, and that is fine.

Why babies need help with wind

Newborns swallow air as they feed, particularly when they gulp quickly, cry before a feed or have a shallow latch. Bottle-fed babies may take in more air depending on the teat and the angle of the bottle, but breastfed babies can need burping too. Trapped air can make a baby squirm, pull off the breast or bottle, or seem unsettled after eating. Burping will not prevent all fussiness, yet it is a simple way to rule out one common cause.

Three burping positions to try

Whichever you choose, keep the head and neck supported, and lay a muslin or burp cloth where any milk might land.

Step by step

1. Settle into a comfortable seat with a cloth within reach.
2. Bring the baby into one of the positions above.
3. Pat the back gently with a cupped hand, or rub in slow circles, working from the lower back upwards.
4. Keep going for a few minutes. Some babies burp almost at once; others take longer.
5. If nothing happens, try a different hold, or carry on with the feed and try again later.

Burping a newborn after feeding and during it

Many parents pause partway through a feed as well as at the end: when switching sides, or halfway through a bottle. Babies who seem uncomfortable, pull away often or bring up a lot of milk may do better with more frequent breaks. Others feed calmly and need little burping at all. Watch your baby rather than a clock, and expect things to change as they grow; many babies need less help with wind once feeding becomes more efficient.

If a baby falls asleep at the end of a feed, a short, gentle attempt in an upright position is reasonable, but there is no need to keep a sleeping baby awake for long. When it is time to sleep, place the baby on their back in a clear cot or Moses basket, in line with safe-sleep guidance.

Spit-up, hiccups and other small worries

A little milk often comes up with a burp. In young babies this is common and usually not a concern if the baby is feeding well, gaining weight and generally content. Hiccups are also common and tend to pass on their own. Gentle burping and holding the baby upright for a short while after feeds can help with both.

When to speak to a doctor or health visitor

• Vomiting that is forceful or shoots out across the room.
• Blood in vomit or in nappies.
• Poor feeding, fewer wet nappies than usual or other signs of dehydration.
• Crying that seems to come from pain, arching during feeds or refusing to feed.
• Slow weight gain or concerns raised at a weigh-in.

Green vomit, difficulty breathing, a high temperature, or a baby who is floppy or very hard to wake needs urgent medical help. Trust your instincts: if something feels wrong, a professional opinion is always reasonable.

Common questions

What if my baby never burps?

Some babies swallow very little air, particularly when feeding calmly. If your baby is content, feeding well and not straining or squirming, a missing burp is not a problem.

Can I burp too hard?

Firm is fine, forceful is not. Gentle, steady pats or rubs are enough. Avoid bouncing or jiggling a baby straight after a large feed, as that can bring milk back up.

Fitting burps into busy days and nights

In the first weeks, feeds can feel endless, and burping adds a few minutes to each one. Sharing the job gives the feeding parent a break and gives the other parent a regular moment of closeness. If the evening is long and the baby is still unsettled after burping, our guide to soothing a crying newborn covers the next things to try, and our notes on newborn sleep deprivation look at how parents can protect their own rest. Tucking a few burp cloths into the hospital bag means you are ready from the very first feed.