Burping is the physical act of expelling swallowed air from the stomach through the mouth, relieving internal pressure. While adults manage this process independently, caregivers must actively assist infants in bringing up air. This necessity stems from the volume of air infants ingest and the temporary immaturity of their digestive and muscular systems. Understanding why this assistance is necessary provides insight into this common aspect of early parenthood.
Why Babies Ingest So Much Air
Infants require burping due to the substantial amount of air they swallow, known as aerophagia. This air intake occurs primarily during feeding, whether from a breast or a bottle. During breastfeeding, a shallow latch allows air to be sucked in alongside the milk, especially with a fast milk flow. Bottle-fed babies may swallow air if the nipple flow rate is too fast or too slow, or if the bottle’s angle traps air bubbles. Air swallowing also increases significantly when a baby cries intensely or uses a pacifier, introducing extra air into the digestive tract.
Immature Digestive and Muscular Systems
A baby’s inability to burp without assistance is rooted in the temporary underdevelopment of specific physical structures. A primary factor is the immaturity of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle connecting the esophagus to the stomach. In infants, this muscle is often weak and not fully developed, which is why reflux and spitting up are common. While this weakness allows air to travel back up, the expulsion is inefficient and uncontrolled. Infants also lack the coordinated strength and neurological control required from the abdominal muscles and diaphragm for an effective, voluntary burp.
The nearly horizontal posture of infants for much of the day also works against them. Gas naturally rises, and lying flat makes it harder for the air bubble to escape the stomach and esophagus without external force or gravity.
What Happens When Gas Stays Trapped
When swallowed air is not released, it causes distension within the stomach and intestines. This trapped air creates internal pressure, leading to the discomfort, fussiness, and crying often observed after feeding. The sensation of fullness from the gas can interfere with a full feeding, sometimes causing a refusal to eat more. Pressure from unreleased gas can also push stomach contents back up through the weak lower esophageal sphincter, increasing spit-up or regurgitation. Furthermore, the discomfort caused by trapped air can lead to sleep disruption, as the baby may struggle to settle or wake prematurely.
Techniques for Assisting a Burp
Caregivers use specific positions and gentle movements to provide the external pressure and gravitational assistance needed to release trapped air. One effective method is the over-the-shoulder position, where the baby is held upright against the chest. This leverages gravity, allowing the air to rise while the caregiver gently pats or rubs the baby’s back. Another technique involves sitting the baby upright on the caregiver’s lap, leaning the baby slightly forward while supporting the chest and head. Gentle, repetitive patting or rubbing on the baby’s back helps to dislodge the air bubble.
It is beneficial to attempt a burp multiple times during a feed, such as when switching breasts or after every few ounces for bottle-fed babies. If a burp does not happen within a few minutes, gently changing the baby’s position and trying again can be successful.