Should I burp my baby after breastfeeding while lying down? Whether feeding in a reclined position or lying, burping the baby is essential to release trapped air from their tummy (5). Generally, there's no set rule as to when you should burp your baby. Some babies need burping during the feeding and some after (6).
No need to get up! While lying on your side, drape the baby over your hip, facing toward your back (which puts a little pressure on his tummy) and pat his back gently. With a small baby, the “folding” technique sometimes works.
Side Lying Position
Being one of the comfortable breastfeeding positions to relieve gas, you need to lay down on your side while your baby facing you. In order to protect your baby's back, place a breastfeeding pillow or a roll-up towel behind them.
You and your baby lie on your sides facing each other. Your baby's chest should face your chest, and your baby's mouth should be level with your nipple. Pull your baby close. In this position, you can cradle your baby's back with your forearm.
Lie on your side and face your baby toward your breast, supporting him or her with one hand. With the other hand, grasp your breast and touch your nipple to your baby's lips. Once your baby latches on, use one arm to support your own head and the other to help support the baby and bring him or her close.
If your baby doesn't burp after a few minutes, change the baby's position and try burping for another few minutes before feeding again. Always burp your baby when feeding time is over.
Try laid-back breastfeeding. This position has you reclining on your back (flat or at an angle) while baby is belly-to-belly with you. While you are on your back and baby's head is above the breast, gravity helps to slow the flow of milk.
What's the best position to burp my baby? Support your baby's head and neck, make sure their tummy and back is nice and straight (not curled up), and rub or pat their back gently. You don't need to spend ages burping your baby, a couple of minutes should be enough.
If the baby does not burp after 5 minutes of trying, gently lie them down on their back, either in their crib or on another safe surface, such as a playpen. After a few minutes, carefully pick the baby up and try burping them again. Sometimes, lying down helps move the air bubbles around, making them easier to release.
Most babies will outgrow the need to be burped by 4-6 months of age. You can often tell that a baby needs to be burped if he or she is squirmy or pulling away while being fed.
While the side-lying position for breastfeeding can allow women to get needed rest, it can increase their risk of falling asleep while in this position and potentially smothering their babies.
Causes of gas include: Swallowing air when sucking. A baby may swallow excess air during bottle-feeding when drinking too rapidly or when lying down. A baby may also swallow excess air if the nipple has holes that are too big.
Newborns may nurse for up to 20 minutes or longer on one or both breasts. As babies get older and more skilled at breastfeeding, they may take about 5–10 minutes on each side.
You may only need to use a breast hold for a short time. As your baby gets older, breastfeeding becomes more established, and you become more confident, you might find that you no longer need to hold your breast when your baby latches on to breastfeed. American Academy of Pediatrics.
Spitting up is the easy flow of stomach contents out of the mouth, frequently with a burp. Spitting up doesn't involve forceful muscle contractions, brings up only small amounts of milk, and doesn't distress your baby or make them uncomfortable.
In general, breastfed babies don't need as much burping as bottle-fed babies because they tend to swallow less air when feeding. In fact, some very efficient nursers don't need to be burped at all. But some breastfed babies definitely do need to be burped.
Once the feeding is complete, you keep your baby awake until it's time to sleep. That could be anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on your kiddo's age. Then when it's time to put them down for a nap, they fall asleep in any way that does NOT involve feeding.
“One of the disadvantages of lying down is that as the child sucks, it could aspirate,” Ewurum said. “This breast milk can leave the child's stomach and enter into the lungs and this can cause lung infection. “Also, as the child is sucking, some of the breast milk might drip out of the mouth into the ear.
Side or stomach sleeping can lead to injury, SIDS, or suffocation. All babies should be put on their backs for bedtime and naps. If your baby is less than 1-year-old and rolls over onto their side or stomach at night, reposition them onto their back.