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Burping
Illustrated burping steps can be found in
the book!
Burping is an individual thing. How often depends on the need
of your child. Rule of thumb, an infant on the breast should
burp while switching to the other breast and after feeding, at
least. Some children seem to swallow air more than others do.
Whatever the case, your baby will need to burp.
Switch hands, allow the child to rest mainly on the palm area of
the opposite hand with the head being supported the thumb and
index finger, with a stabilizing support being provided by
placing a arm between two fingers, (between the middle finger
and ring finger usually is easier.) The head cannot fall to the
right, left, or forward, and should the baby jerk backward, the
free hand is there to prevent loss of control. Give a slight
upward support to straighten the body, as before. You will find
this easier for men to accomplish than most women, because of
larger hand and stronger muscles. (For some, the over the
shoulder works well, or laying the baby on their tummy, across
the lap will promote a burp.) With a bib, clothe diaper,
burping pad at the ready, pat the infant’s back gently, to help
consolidate the tiny bubble in the stomach. Use the heel or
ball of the free hand; apply firm, gentle pressure upward from
the waist to about the middle of the rib gage. Pat and massage,
pat and massage. Depending on the baby, if you do not get a
response, perhaps the child did not swallow a lot of air, and
does not need to burp. If so, continue with the feeding and try
again a little later. You will soon become the expert on your
baby. Remember every baby is different, how often or how long
to burp depends on your child.
On the other
hand, if aunt Gladys were to burp your child, she would most
likely place a burp cloth over a shoulder, placing the baby
upon her large bosom proceed to pat and work the baby
vigorously to get a burp until the baby says himself, “Either I
burp or I die -- and I’m too young to die.” The object is to
get the baby to relax in order to encourage the burp. Find what
works for you. |
