Feb 22 2008
Is it true breastfed babies do not need to be burped?
When I had my first baby, I read from somewhere that breastfed babies do not need to be burped. The theory: when a baby is fed directly from the breasts, they don’t drink in any airs, so there is no need to burp them.
Is it true?
I followed the same, coz I didn’t know how to handle a small baby at that time. Skipping the burping routine is like a breeze for me, and further more it was really hard to burp up a gas for Ian – it could take up to 30 mins!
And the results?
I had regurgitating baby who threw out many times after feeds.
Later, I read from different sources, a different theory and opinion on this.
This time, it is written that, baby still drink in some air though there is no air inside the breast/breastmilk. The air were gulp in when they open their mouth in between breaths.
So, I burped Ian after every feed, even midnight feedings. I was badly sleep deprived during those first few months, mainly because of the burping process that took so long each time. DH ended up took over the burping at night, so I could sleep after feeding (at that time I haven’t mastered lying down position).
Is this true for all babies?
Well, after having 2 children, both have very different characteristics and personalities, I have to say the burping rule is also not applicable for both.
With Isabel, I did the same to burp her, learning from the past. The result was completely opposite.
Yes, Isabel did burp out loud gas, but at the same time she ALWAYS throw out EVERYTHING she drank.
After a week of suffering, I realized she is different. After feeds, she tend to fall asleep very well. If she is not disturbed, she can sleep until the next feed or so and she won’t throw out anything. But if she was disturbed (like burp her), she’d be agitated and cry and throw out her milk.
So, I think there is no hard rules on whether to burp your baby or not. It really depends on the baby him/herself. Mother really has to observe and experiment what is best for the baby. Just my 2 cents…
Hi Suzette. Interesting observations. I was told from the beginning by my confinement lady that no matter what milk baby drinks, he has to be burped. But in the middle of the night after milk, baby usually falls right back asleep so lucky us, no need to stay up to burp! But does a baby cease to burp as he grows older, say around 6 months old?
after breastfeed, I seldom burp Angel, she will turn and then will auto burp, kakakakaka…
i also nver burped ryan.
think he knows he has a lozy mother.
after nursing, he will turn and fall right back to sleep!!
Penny:
You are lucky, had a good CL. My CL wasn’t that experienced ler… And you are lucky to have a baby that doesn’t regurgitate at night. 
That’s why, we have to adapt to our babies, right? Oh, 6 months – I don’t think he needs burping at that age already. You can try to stop burping and monitor whether he throws out or not?
Stephanie/Busy Bee: Wow, you are two lucky moms ya! I am also lazy to burp, but my first one would throw out. Luckily second one doesn’t requie that — to her, it was the reverse: if you burp, she’ll vomit. LOL!
Thanks for this article, good info.