The cult of belching
All those minutes, those hours spent gently patting baby's back, pacing back and forth in the house, wondering why baby hasn't burped? Or conversely, wondering why they need to burp in the middle of a feeding and still seem hungry afterward? "It's impossible, are they doing it on purpose or what?" Ultimately, why is it so important for a baby to burp after feeding? And is it really that important? This topic fascinates us, so we're going to share everything we know at Biostime to help you every day.
This is the #NewGenerationOrganic
We tell each other EVERYTHING about the whys and wherefores of "burping"
Okay, we won't go into detail, burping is a physiological mechanism that allows babies to expel excess air swallowed along with milk. Yes, babies are essentially miniature adults; they have the same needs as us. Almost all babies burp immediately after feeding or a few minutes later, whether they are breastfed or bottle-fed (but it's more frequent with bottle-feeding, due to the less ergonomic shape of the nipple).
Sometimes, burping is necessary mid-feeding. In this case, the baby expresses it in their own way: they become restless and seem uncomfortable. Burping while feeding allows them to release swallowed air and continue drinking peacefully .
Just like when you eat or drink too fast (we see you, those of you who gulp down your plate in just three bites, and we're the same because it's so delicious!), a baby can swallow a lot of air while feeding if they tend to drink quickly. In other words, they experience aerophagia. This accumulation of air in their stomach is a source of discomfort for them: it can lead to a loss of appetite, or even a stomach ache.
But as nature is very well designed, a little burp allows this excess air to be expelled and everything to return to normal.
It's also worth noting that aerophagia (swallowing air) could be responsible, at least in part, for infant colic. While not dangerous, colic can be quite painful. Therefore, burping your baby can reduce its frequency, which is fantastic!
3 positions to help baby burp
- The most common way is to position your baby upright, against you, with their head on your shoulder, and gently pat their little back.
- You can also choose to comfortably sit your baby on your lap while supporting their head.
- If nothing happens 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 while making small circles on their back.
Whatever position you choose, your parental instinct will guide you to the best solution for your baby.
However, does each meal require a burp or not?
Some babies hardly ever need to burp, simply because they don't swallow (or hardly any) air. So there's no reason to worry if your baby clearly has no intention of burping. Others, however, will need to burp after every feeding, or even once or twice during the feeding itself to relieve them. Again, no stress: every baby is different, that's all!
So, don't panic: whether your baby needs to burp during feeding or doesn't burp at all sometimes, it's all normal. A little spit-up is also common (RIP to those dozens of stained tops right before a video call). If the spit-up is excessive, there are anti-regurgitation formulas available. Ask your doctor for advice if your baby is experiencing this.
And what about Biostime milk in all of this?
Generally speaking, choosing a high-quality infant formula can greatly contribute to your child's digestive well-being, and the Bio d'Isigny Sainte-Mère cooperative has understood this for over 80 years! Together, we are committed to supporting sustainable and local farming practices. It's a shared passion with the farmers and with you. Our Norman cows are fed exclusively on grass and hay and treated primarily with homeopathy and herbal medicine.
Share your stories!
We dream of only one thing: hearing from you! So if you have any questions on this subject, want to share your experiences with us or exchange ideas, GO FOR IT because here we talk about everything and together.
All you have to do is share your funniest, craziest, and most authentic experiences directly in the comments below #yeaaaah.
Or send us your stories to 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 parenthood.
Important notice: Breast milk is the ideal and natural food for infants.
