21/05/2026
đ Stop burping your baby.
Yep, I mean it. I know, I know, this may be controversial.
đď¸ Have you heard this advice about NOT burping before?
Most of my clients haven't, but then, after I talked with them about it, they report back to me that they are getting more sleep and enjoying time with their baby more.
First, let me just say this isn't for ALL babies, just MOST babies. Of course, YOU know your baby best, and need to do what you feel works for your baby.
What is the origin of burping? In the US and many other countries in the world, bottlefeeding was the norm for a long time. And when that started (and for many years) the bottles didn't have venting systems like the do now. So, back then, in order to get air back into the bottle to get the milk to flow, you had to take it out of the baby's mouth. And because babies were being fed with fast-flowing ni***es as they lay reclined or on their backs, they drank too fast and took in a lot of air (you try it, you'll want to burp, too!). Ideally, babies would feed while laying on their side, not on their back. Upright can work, too, but I only recommend that now in rare situations or for older babies who have a stronger core.
What is the goal of burping? It's to ensure baby is calm and soothed, right? We all have heard a baby burp and then that baby is still NOT content or asleep. So the goal is a sleeping baby or content baby.
If baby falls asleep while eating, please don't burp them! Burping them is likely to wake them up! Just enjoy the fact that they are asleep and either keep them on you for cuddles or S-L-O-W-L-Y move them to a safe surface for a nap.
If baby is done eating and is content, I think you can think of many things you'd rather do if your baby is already asleep or content instead of doing an action that is likely to make them wake up or make them upset...maybe YOU could take a nap or enjoy some time talking with your content baby...or dancing with them...or introducing them to the various people, pets, and items that are inside or outside your home?
Most babies don't need to be burped. Try NOT burping for a day and let me know what happens.
