The cult of burping
All those minutes, those hours spent gently patting baby's back, pacing around the house and wondering why baby hasn't burped? Or on the contrary, wondering why he feels the need to burp in the middle of a bottle and still seems hungry afterward? "But it's not possible, is he doing it on purpose or what?" Finally, why is it so important for a baby to burp after being fed? And is it really that important? This subject fascinates us, so we intend to share everything we know at Biostime to help you on a daily basis.
This is the #NewBioGeneration
We tell each other EVERYTHING about the why and how of “burping”
Well, we're not going to draw you a picture, burping is a physiological mechanism that allows babies to expel excess air swallowed along with the milk. Yes, babies are ultimately miniature adults, they have the same needs as us. Almost all babies burp immediately after drinking or a few minutes after, whether they are breastfed or bottle-fed (but it's more common with a bottle, due to the less ergonomic shape of the nipple.)
Sometimes burping is necessary in the middle of a feed. In this case, the baby expresses this in his own way: he becomes agitated and seems uncomfortable. Burping while drinking allows him to expel swallowed air and continue drinking calmly .
Just like when you drink or eat too quickly (we see you, those of you who swallow their plate in barely 3 bites and we're the same because it's way too good), a baby can swallow a lot of air during feeding if they tend to drink quickly. In other words, they're experiencing aerophagia. However, this accumulation of air in their stomach is a source of discomfort for them: it can notably lead to a loss of appetite, or even a stomach ache.
But since nature is very well made, a little burp allows this excess air to escape and everything to return to normal.
It's also worth noting that aerophagia may be responsible, at least in part, for infant colic. While it's not dangerous, it can be really painful. Burping your baby can reduce their frequency a bit, and that's great!
3 positions to help baby burp
- The most common is to place your baby upright, against you, with his head on your shoulder, and gently pat his little back.
- You can also choose to comfortably sit your baby on your lap while supporting their head.
- If there is still nothing after a few minutes, some parents opt to lay their baby on their stomach, on the changing table for example, with just one hand under their head to hold it up by making small circles on their back.
Whichever position you choose, your parental instinct will determine the best solution for your baby.
However, does each meal have its burp or not?
Some babies almost never need to be burped, simply because they don't swallow (or hardly ever) any air. So there's no reason to worry if your baby clearly has no intention of burping. Others, on the other hand, will need to burp after every meal, or even one or two burps during the feed itself to soothe them. Again, don't stress: every baby is different, that's all!
So, don't panic: whether your baby has to burp during feedings or doesn't do it at all sometimes, this is all normal. A little spit-up is also common (RIP those dozens of stained tops right before a video call). If this spit-up is too severe, there are anti-regurgitation infant milk formulas. Ask your doctor for advice if your baby is in this situation.
And what about Biostime milk?
Generally speaking, choosing a quality infant milk can greatly contribute to your child's digestive well-being, and the Isigny Sainte-Mère organic cooperative has understood this for over 80 years! We are committed together to supporting sustainable and local livestock farming. A shared passion with farmers and you. Normandy cows are fed exclusively on grass and fodder and are cared for primarily with homeopathy and herbal medicine.
To your stories!
We only dream of one thing: hearing from you! So if you have any questions about this topic, or if you want to share your experiences with us or chat, GO because here we talk about everything, and together.
Simply share your funniest, craziest, and most authentic experiences directly in the comments below #yeaaaah.
Or send us your testimonials at contact@biostime.fr or by DM on Instagram@biostimefr so that we can help each other by sharing your experiences with as many people as possible without any taboos about parenting.
Important notice: Breast milk is the ideal and natural food for infants.
