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Trying to burp a newborn baby can become stressful when you feel that every feed must end with a particular sound. A gentle pause is not a test to pass. Start by noticing how your baby is doing and keeping their head and neck supported.
This page preserves the original video and adds four practical checks: when to pause, comfortable positioning, what to do if there is no burp and which questions need support. You will also find optional cleanup and bottle examples to compare.
Watch how to burp a newborn baby
Watch the original Dr. Deepthi Jammi video on YouTube. The written guidance below is separate iBabyMama editorial context, not a transcript or a claim that every point is demonstrated in the video.
1. Notice when a gentle pause might help
NHS guidance suggests a burping break when a baby seems uncomfortable during a feed, while a baby feeding comfortably may wait until the end. There is not one timing rule for every baby. Ask your care team about your baby’s particular feeding needs.
Describe what you see rather than assuming every cry is caused by swallowed air. A short note about the feed, the pause and what happened next may help you explain a concern in a feeding-support conversation.
If you are sharing feeds, agree on the instructions you are following. Keep them accessible instead of expecting another caregiver to remember something mentioned once while everyone was tired.
2. Support your baby and keep movements gentle
One position described by the NHS is holding the baby over your shoulder with the head and shoulder area supported, then gently rubbing or patting the back. Keep the airway clear. If you use a sitting position, support the chest, chin and jaw without pressure on the throat.
If you are unsure how to hold your baby securely, ask a qualified professional to demonstrate. Do not improvise a vigorous movement because a video or comment promises a quick result. Your goal is a comfortable pause with appropriate support.
Prepare a cloth before starting so you can clean up without juggling supplies. Put used items aside for washing and follow the care instructions for whatever you use.
A cleanup option: Yoofoss cotton muslin cloths
This observed White ten-pack measures 20 by 10 inches per cloth and is listed as cotton muslin. Use for supervised burping or cleanup, follow washing instructions and inspect for wear. Keep loose cloths out of infant sleep spaces. A cloth protects clothing from an ordinary mess; it does not prevent reflux or guarantee a burp.
View Yoofoss Muslin Burp Cloths, White, 10 Pack, 20 by 10 inches on Amazon
3. Do not turn a missing burp into a long struggle
AAP guidance notes that no baby burps every time and that some breastfed babies swallow little air. If a brief attempt does not produce a burp, do not assume that something is wrong solely because you did not hear one.
Notice the whole situation: is your baby comfortable, is the feed going as expected and is there a concern to discuss? Do not keep escalating an attempt just to meet an online target. Ask for help when discomfort or feeding difficulties persist.
Keep sleep guidance separate from burping positions. AAP advises back sleeping on a flat surface even when babies spit up. Do not raise a mattress or use a feeding position as a sleep plan. Our newborn sleep guide provides related context.
4. Bring feeding questions to your care team
If you are trying to burp a newborn baby because feeds are repeatedly difficult, describe the actual difficulty. Say when it happens, what you notice and whether the pattern has changed. That is more useful than labeling all discomfort as gas.
A bottle’s vent system is not a diagnosis or a guaranteed solution. If you already have suitable equipment, check assembly, cleaning and nipple guidance before replacing it. Ask for feeding support when needed.
Seek medical advice promptly when your baby seems unwell instead of waiting for burping to solve the problem. For further reading, see our infant nutrition guide.
Questions about how to burp a newborn baby
Does every baby need to burp after every feed?
No baby burps every time. AAP notes that some breastfed babies swallow little air. Use your baby’s comfort and your care team’s instructions rather than treating an audible burp as a requirement.
Will an anti-colic bottle solve the problem?
A bottle may have design features you want to compare, but it cannot establish why a baby is uncomfortable or guarantee relief. Persistent feeding concerns deserve support with the actual feed.
Your next feeding-pause checklist
Have a cloth ready, support your baby’s head and neck, use a gentle pause when appropriate and save a specific concern for your care team. When you burp a newborn baby, comfort and secure handling matter more than chasing a result.
A bottle option to compare: Dr. Brown’s narrow bottles
This observed four-pack contains 4 oz narrow bottles with a vent system. Check the current nipple stage, assembly and cleaning directions. The bottle is an optional equipment example, not a promise of less gas or a treatment for a feeding problem. Compare it with the suitable bottles you already use.
View Dr. Brown’s Options+ Narrow Baby Bottles, 4 oz, 4 Pack on Amazon
Sources checked October 8, 2026: NHS burping guidance and AAP burping, hiccups and spit-up. This page has not received an individual clinician review.