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How to Burp a Baby: Best Positions & Tips

Burping your baby is more than just a routine—it’s a critical part of keeping them comfortable after feeding. Babies swallow air during feeding and aren’t moving much in the early months, so if that air isn’t released, it can lead to trapped gas and extra fussiness.

Burping is a simple skill that goes a long way in releasing that gas and keeping your baby content. Knowing the right burping techniques and positions can help prevent irritability, improve your baby’s feeding experience, and keep you both at ease.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through tips on how to get those tiny burps out, positions for burping a newborn, and how Tushbaby can lend a hand——from feeding to burping to carrying and all over again.

Why Burping a Baby is Important

Burping after feeding releases gas buildup that can cause stomach pain and fussiness, so knowing how to burp a baby is essential to releasing the air they swallow with their milk or formula. Burping will also reduce the chances of spit-ups and make space for more milk/formula.

Only babies of a certain age need burping, most learn to burp independently by 2 months. But until then, mastering the best way to burp newborns is key to keeping them comfortable.

How to Burp a Baby: Best Positions

Ready to master the art of the baby burp? We’ve rounded up the best positions for burping a newborn and how to do them correctly, as well as some helpful hacks for when your baby won’t burp.

Over the Shoulder

Grab a burp cloth: Drape it over your shoulder to protect your clothes from spit-ups and drool.
Position your baby: Hold your newborn upright against your chest with their chin resting on your shoulder.
Support and secure: Use one hand to keep your baby steady by supporting their head and back.
Pat gently: With your other hand, gently pat between their shoulder blades using an open palm.
Wait for it: Keep going until you hear those tiny burps!

Burping or gentle massaging can also help with reflux and soothe a colicky baby. Feeding your baby upright is another sneaky little trick to help cut down on all that extra air they gulp, reducing gassiness and making burping easier.

Finding the ideal feeding position can also make burping easier, and many parents look to nursing pillows for added support. Learn more about the different breastfeeding positions you can do with a nursing pillow here!

For feeding and burping support, look no further than the Tushbaby Hip Carrier—it doubles as a nursing pillow with built-in storage and keeps your baby comfy and upright while you handle the feed-and-burp routine. Tushbaby’s face-to-face carry position is perfect for burping, and the open hipseat design makes it easy to seamlessly switch between feeding and carrying.

You can use Tushbaby as a nursing pillow as early as infancy, with its built-in lumbar support promoting proper posture as you feed, burp, and carry.

Sitting on Your Lap

Sit them up: Place your baby on your lap, facing away from you (or use the Tushbaby hip carrier in its face-out position!). Make sure you have your burp cloth handy!
Lean them forward: Gently lean your baby’s weight forward and support their chest with one hand.
Cup their chin: Use your palm to support their chin, keeping your thumb and index finger on either side.
Pat or rub: With your free hand, gently pat their back or rub in circular motions until you get those burps out.

Heads up (literally): whether on your lap or in a carrier, facing baby forward without support is a no-go until they have full head and neck control. Strong neck muscles are a milestone that newborns may take some time to reach, so always keep that support when you’re burping face-out.

Lying Across Your Lap

Be prepared with supplies: Surprise spit-ups can be a time suck to clean—and changing burp cloths is quicker than changing outfits.
Position baby properly: Lay your newborn on your lap tummy-side down, with their head turned to one side. Keep their head slightly higher than their chest.
Support and pat: Support their head with one hand, and with the other, gently pat or rub their back until you hear that satisfying burp for newborn relief.

This position is one of the best ways to burp a baby because it provides gentle pressure on their stomach, and works wonders if your baby won’t burp in other positions.

When to Burp a Baby

Some babies need a mid-feed burp, while others are good to go until they’re full. If your baby seems squirmy or uncomfortable during feeding, take a quick burp break; if they’re nursing happily, wait until they’ve finished to get those burps out.

It’s important to burp your newborn once feeding is finished—this helps prevent their meal from coming back up the way it went in. For the best results, keep your baby upright for 10 to 15 minutes after feeding, or longer if spit-ups are a regular event. If some milk does make a reappearance, no big deal—it’s more of a laundry issue for you than a real problem for them.

Pro tip: Pack a few cloths, wipes, and even an extra outfit in Tushbaby’s five storage pockets, so you’re always ready to tackle those messy moments after feedings.

Telltale Signs to Burp a Baby

Not sure when to cue up a burp for newborn relief? Your baby will give you hints. Here are a few signs that might mean your baby needs burping:

Fussiness During Feeding: If your baby suddenly gets fussy, squirmy, or pulls away from the bottle or breast, it’s probably time for a burp break. This is your cue to burp your baby mid-feed to keep things running smoothly.
Arching Back: Arching their back, in this instance, is like your baby’s version of a “help me out here!” signal. These moves often mean a gas bubble needs to be handled ASAP.
Restlessness: Sometimes, it’s all about the wiggles. If your baby seems restless while feeding, try a few different positions for burping a newborn, like sitting upright or over the shoulder.
Refusing to Feed: If your baby won’t latch or keeps turning their head away, it could be a sign they need a burp before they can keep going.

Remember, knowing how to burp a baby is all about reading their cues. If your baby won’t burp right away, try switching up the positions—what works one time might not be the best way to burp them every time.

Once you’ve mastered the art of how to burp a newborn, everyone’s a little happier!

When to Stop Burping a Baby

Most babies can graduate from assisted burping around 4-6 months, but it’s more about the milestones than the timing. Here’s how to know when to stop burping a baby:

Increased Movement: Once your baby starts moving around more—rolling, wriggling, or sitting up on their own—they’re likely able to release gas without your help.
Comfort Check: If they seem comfortable during and after feeds without needing a burp, you might be in the clear.

FAQs on How To Burp a Newborn

Can I Burp a Sleeping Baby?

Yes, you can! Babies are prone to dozing off during feedings, but even if your little one nods off mid-feed, they still need to burp.

You can burp a sleeping baby using any of the above methods—just handle your little one gently to avoid waking them up.

How Long Should I Try to Burp My Baby?

Burping isn’t an all-day affair—a few minutes is usually enough to get the job done. Once those burps are out, you and your baby can get back to enjoying your day!

Is it Okay if My Baby Doesn’t Burp Every Time?

If your baby doesn’t burp after you’ve tried, and they look comfortable, don’t stress. They’ll pass gas one way or another!

As babies grow, they get better at eating and swallow less air—so if they’re not burping after every feed, it could just mean they’re getting the hang of it. No burp? No problem.

Is it Normal for a Baby to Cry During Burping?

Your baby might cry during burping—this can be their way of saying, “What's the hold-up?” if you’ve stopped feeding to burp them or if trapped gas is giving them grief. Sometimes, it’s colic or a touch of acid reflux causing the drama. But don’t worry, these burp battles usually ease up as your little one gets the hang of eating and moving.

Can I Skip Burping if My Baby Doesn’t Seem Gassy?

Even if they don’t seem gassy, you should still try to burp newborns after a feed.

The key is to watch for cues. If your baby seems content and is feeding well, there’s no need to interrupt. Trust your instincts and your baby—they’ll often tell you if a burp is in order.

Burping might seem like a small part of feeding, but it’s essential for keeping your baby happy and comfortable. Whether you’re figuring out how to burp a newborn or you’re curious about when to stop burping a baby, it’s all about finding the best positions for them and knowing their cues.

If your baby won’t burp, don’t stress—just try switching things up until you find what works best. With a little practice and the right approach, you’ll have those tiny burps handled in no time.

Ready to make feeding and burping easier? Shop Tushbaby to find the perfect gear to keep you and your little one comfortable and stylish—from birth to toddlerhood.