How Often to Burp Your Baby During Feeding
Burp your baby frequently during each feeding—this means burping after every 2-3 ounces of formula or when switching breasts during breastfeeding. 1
Evidence-Based Burping Recommendations
The American Academy of Pediatrics specifically identifies frequent burping during feeding as a helpful nonpharmacologic measure for managing gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in infants. 1
Optimal Burping Technique and Timing
After feeding, hold your infant upright on your shoulders for 10-20 minutes to allow for adequate burping before placing them in the "back to sleep" position. 1 This practice has been shown to decrease the frequency of GER in infants. 1
Why Frequent Burping Matters
Reduces reflux episodes: Frequent burping helps decrease the height of the reflux column, the volume of refluxate, and the frequency of reflux episodes. 1
Prevents respiratory complications: GER can be temporally associated with oxygen desaturation and obstructive apnea in some infants, making proper burping particularly important. 1
Addresses "silent reflux": Approximately 30% of brief resolved unexplained events (BRUEs) have been associated with reflux-related laryngospasm, which may not be clinically apparent but can be mitigated by proper feeding and burping practices. 1
Complete Feeding Management Strategy
Beyond burping, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends these complementary practices: 1
- Avoid overfeeding: This reduces the volume of potential refluxate
- Maintain upright positioning after feeding: Keep infant upright in caregiver's arms (not in car seats or infant carriers, which exacerbate reflux)
- Avoid secondhand smoke exposure
- Consider thickened formula (for formula-fed infants without milk-protein intolerance) if regurgitation is problematic
Critical Pitfalls to Avoid
Never place an infant in a car seat or semisupine position (such as an infant carrier) immediately after feeding, as this exacerbates esophageal reflux. 1 The upright position on the caregiver's shoulder is specifically recommended over these seated positions. 1
For breastfed infants, continue breastfeeding rather than switching to formula for reflux concerns, as the frequency of GER has been reported to be decreased in breastfed compared with formula-fed infants. 1 Breastfeeding benefits are preferred over theoretical effects of specialized formulas. 1