Newborn babies need to be burped several times during each feeding session. The general rule is to burp a brand new baby every ¼ ounce, and as they get older reduce it to every ½ ounce, then every whole ounce, etc., until they are able to burp on their own.
New babies need to be fed several times a day. Generally a new baby is fed every two hours during the day and every two to four during the night. Each feeding session requires several burps. There are several feeding session per day and night which means the amount of times your baby needs to be burped per full day is amazingly high.
Sometimes burps get stuck. They don’t come out easily, or at all. Many times parents mistake a stuck burp for the lack of a need to burp. They continue to feed baby and try to burp again next time. This can cause a buildup of air in a babies belly. Often it leads to spitting up when the second burp break is reached.
When there are a couple of missed burps per feeding session, or even one missed burp will do it, baby will feel uncomfortable. Stuck burps are painful. They cause sharp pains in babies belly like bad gas pressure does to us. Baby will spit up more often if not burped properly. Baby will also be fussy, refuse to eat, cry, turn red in the face, and draw their knees up towards their chests.
A baby who displays these symptoms often, for hours during the day or night or both is usually diagnosed with colic. Colic is a five letter word for my baby won’t stop crying and nothing is helping. Babies with colic display the same symptoms as babies who have burps that need to be let out. A baby who often has unreleased burps may often display these symptoms and be diagnose with colic when all that’s wrong is that they need to burp.
Could that be the case with your baby? Does your baby display colic symptoms and you wonder if it may be colic or something else? It may simply be that your baby needs to be burped more often. Try burping a half an ounce less often than you have been, and make sure that you do not stop burping until a burp has been heard. It should be loud. One good loud burp is sufficient. If it’s just a little one you should try for another. Burp regularly and make sure to not just assume there is no burp. There is always a burp!
Once you’ve done this routinely you may find that your babies colic symptoms have totally disappeared. You may also find that baby is much happier and more alert. That baby spits up and cries less! That baby wakes less often and eats better! A baby without a burp will also sleep more soundly! Good luck!
