Burping
Burping: three positions that actually work
Burping is a partner job you can own completely. Learn three positions, know when to stop trying, and know the difference between spit-up and vomiting.
Over the shoulder
Illustrated frame placeholder
Chin past the shoulder, head fully supported.
Transcript and media source
Full transcript available. Placeholder media for the prototype; production media is sourced only from hospitals, university medical centers, government health agencies, professional medical organizations and certified lactation professionals.
Reviewing clinician: R. Okafor, MSN, RN · Reviewed 2026-05-14 · Captions available
Supplies needed
- ·Burp cloth
- ·A chair with back support
- ·Your lap and shoulder
Safety warnings
- Always support the head and neck; a newborn cannot hold their own head.
- Pat, never slap or thump the back.
- Never burp a baby while walking on stairs.
Step by step
- 1Over the shoulder: baby upright, chin past your shoulder, one hand supporting head and neck, the other patting or rubbing upward between the shoulder blades.
- 2Seated: baby sits on your lap leaning slightly forward, your hand cradling the chin and jaw (not the throat), other hand patting the back.
- 3Tummy across the lap: baby lies face-down across your thighs, head slightly higher than the chest and turned to the side, one hand on their back.
- 4Try one position for 3 to 5 minutes. If no burp comes, change position rather than continuing.
- 5Burp mid-feed as well as after, especially for bottle-feeding or fast letdown.
- 6If nothing after about 10 minutes and the baby seems comfortable, hold upright for 10 to 15 minutes and move on. Not every feed produces a burp.
- 7If the baby is squirming, arching or crying, try upright holding, gentle bicycle legs and tummy time when awake.
Common mistakes
- Pressure on the throat instead of the jaw
- Patting hard
- Burping for 20 minutes and skipping sleep
- Laying the baby flat right after a feed
How do I know I am doing this correctly?
- Head and neck stay supported the entire time
- The baby settles rather than arches
- Spit-up is small, effortless and does not distress the baby
When to stop and seek help
- · Forceful or projectile vomiting, especially after every feed
- · Green or bloody vomit
- · Vomiting with fewer wet diapers, poor weight gain or lethargy
- · Choking, colour change or difficulty breathing: call 911
This app provides education and decision support. It cannot rule out a medical emergency.
Finish this tutorial
How confident do you feel doing this on your own?
Clinical review
- Author
- Partnered Postpartum clinical content team
- Reviewer
- R. Okafor, MSN, RN · Registered Nurse
- Reviewed
- 2026-05-14
- Next review
- 2027-05-14
- Version
- 1.2
- Applies to
- United States and Canada
Evidence sources
- · American Academy of Pediatrics, Caring for Your Baby and Young Child
- · AWHONN postpartum and newborn care standards
- · NHS newborn care guidance
Version history
- · 1.0 initial publication
- · 1.1 cord-care wording aligned to AAP
- · 1.2 added safety-check steps
This app provides education and decision support. It cannot rule out a medical emergency.
This app provides education and decision support. It cannot rule out a medical emergency.