Why can’t I burp my baby?

[bells2810]

I’m a FTM to my four day old baby girl, she is good as gold and rarely gets upset or cries (for now!). I’ve noticed that after feeding it’s really hard for me to get her to burp. My partner is much better at it than me but she often won’t burp for him either. She will fart instead and quite often will do a poo soon after feeding. We’ve tried different burping positions but often nothing will happen.

I’m wondering if this is okay? The wind seems to be coming out, just at the other end! But she definitely doesn’t burp or fart every time I try to wind her. She will settle down fine after a feed but I just don’t want her to end up uncomfortable with trapped wind.

It doesn't matter if it doesn't bother her. Watch what your partner does and try similar. Generally I'd say, relax and give it time. Her little system will change a lot as she grows. The key thing isn't 'doing it right' but 'learning what she needs'.

It's a sort of two way dance of communication that you build between you.

Congratulations
Aslong as the wind is coming out and baby isn't uncomfortable then don't worry.

My oldest simply would not burp no matter who tried on what position, and my youngest wasn't great at it either. Some babies are just like that!

Thank you for your replies, that’s very reassuring!

None of my children needed regular burping.

Is she breastfed OP?

I'm sure I remember reading that breastfed babies typically take in less air when feeding so are likely to burp less - but I guess as long as it's coming out one end or the other it's all good!

My son was terrible at being winded, to the point where he would scream that much he’d go purple and hold his breath.

I saw a post on here by another mum who mentioned ‘wonky winding’ where you hold your baby on their left side across your chest (video below). I tried it and oh my god, we don’t even get a cry from him now, he burps instantly with no problems whatsoever.

We had the screaming from birth and he’s now 14 weeks and so much happier which I’m putting it down to this method of winding.

m.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=193&v=Bp0pvYgdWII&embeds_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mumsnet.com%2F&source_ve_path=MTM5MTE3&feature=emb_logo

My bf babies rarely needed burping especially at just a few days old. As they grew and took more milk then I would try to burp them but don't stress about it. Babies will soon tell you if they are uncomfortable.

Mine never burped 🤷

Mine never burped. She only farted. The health visitor said it was quite common. Even as a young adult she seldom burps, and it’s farting that’s her bag, as long as the wind is out, it’s fine. Doesn’t matter which end.

I found it SO HARD to wind my son when he was tiny!!! After a couple of months I discovered a good technique - sing a song in my head and pat his back in time with the song.

No idea why, but he wouldn't burp if I wasn't patting him in a rhythm

Haha for some reason I tap to London Bridge is falling down!

Mine never needed burping. She was breastfed. We obviously tried at first, but it was pointless.

I didnt realise burping was a thing until my second child and realised other mums did this. Who tells people the babies should burp? Why does it matter? (Unless your baby is clearly uncomfortable).

Mine were fine without! We did do bicycle legs sometimes for the other end though!

My first three babies didn't burp at all, they were farters. The fourth would burp if you looked at him. They were (and are) all fine. Try not to worry about it (easier said than done, I know!). The wind is coming out, which is great. She is having dirty nappies, which is excellent (a constipated baby isn't something you want at all).

It's really tempting to think that if your baby isn't like the examples in all the baby books/ what your MW or HV tells you, that you are doing it all wrong. The truth is that all babies are different- sometimes very different.

Echoing the others. Breastfed babies often don’t need burping with a good latch. Some bottle fed babies don’t swallow much air either. If she’s not uncomfortable, don’t worry. Have a look at ‘wonky winding’ in YouTube if you do think she needs help.

I BFed Ds and could never get him to burp, it felt like it was a huge thing that should be happening and i must be going wrong somewhere - but it never did happen and eventually I gave up trying. I had no idea that BFed babies were less likely to need burping.

DD was bottle fed and wasn't a burper either. She'd drink up and go to sleep happily - then fart very loudly like an old man all night 🤣

Thank you everyone for your replies! DD is bottle fed and she does seem to be managing just fine without burping, it just comes out the other end 😅 thank you for your advice and reassurance!

Mum of two here

I couldn't burp either of them

Husband just had to look at them and off they went 🤷🏽‍♀️