Does the 5 week old infant needs to be burped after each feeding? How long?

Question

My son's feeding habit is called a "rester" where he takes an ounce and then falls asleep and after 10 minutes wakes up crying. It takes about an hour to feed him 4 oz. That includes the burping etc.

Answer 1

Yes, you should burp them when they are that young for a minute or so.  Have you tried changing his diaper mid feed to keep him awake?  My daughter is breastfed but she was definitely a nurse and napper when she was young.  I would nurse for as long as she was actively sucking then take her off the breast, burp, change and then feed her again.  The same thing could be applied to a bottle feed.

Answer 2

burping is very important otherwise he could have colic or  acid reflux (you could read up on this at http://www.easyninemonths.com/thrush.htm... tickle him on this legs so that he does not fall asleep.

Answer 3

yes, if he wakes up crying it may be gas... so do it until he burps...mine used to take a long time but here's a tip: if you bottle feed him try to get a fast flowing nipple, because he may suck and little milk comes out and also cause hurtful gases.

I used the avent bottles and bought the second stage nipples when she was 2 months old and boy did it make a difference when burping!

Answer 4

when he falls asleep, pick him up and make him burp right away so he'll eat more rather than waiting for him to wake up uncomfortable with gas and still hungry!

Answer 5

Some babies just need their own time to burp and they can do it on their own. My son was hard to burp too, after awhile I would give up but he would eventually do it on his own. I think it's okay if they fall asleep while eating if they are in any pain from not burping they will let you know. Sometimes they are not getting any air so they feel no need to burp, (playtex liners will do that). Try sitting him up on your lap and just hold his chin to burp, if that doesn't work try walking up and down the stairs.  

Answer 6

That is a very interesting problem, but with my daughter, I try hard to burp her 3 times during a bottle of 5ozs. If anything I burp her at the last one, in the hospital they suggest trying to burp her for 10 minutes, if she doesnt burp, maybe she doesnt have to.

things i found out to make them burp "faster" is I sit her on my lap, and Straighten her back a little and she usually burps, or putting her on my shoulder works great!

Answer 7

It totally depends on the baby. Some babies do not need to be burped and others need it often. Just try a variety of techniques and see what works best for you. My oldest needed to be burped a couple of times during each feeding and then my next wouldn't burp for anything. It really is trial and error. You know your baby better than anyone else so just figure out what is the best for both of you. Good luck

Answer 8

Babies need to be burped after feedings or they will get colic.  What would you rather do?

Answer 9

If he is awake after the meal, burp him, after every meal. If he falls asleep you don't have to burp him. - Once he is a bit older, he'll eat faster.

Answer 10

I use to have that problem and it has recently gotten better (falling asleep

on my breast) She is 6 wks now

I know that once he is asleep you don't WANT to wake him up, but

like you said if he doesn't finish his bottle...neither of you are getting

any rest!!

Methods for stimulating him awake to continue feeding:

Gently rub his shoulder/ stroke his cheek (activates sucking reflex)/

run you fingers up and down his spine...if he is really knocked out

and won't respond rub his face with a wet wipe or strip him down to

his diaper...sit him up right, talk to him....taps his feet

Keep stimulating him until he finishes his bottle!

My daughter was once so tired she wouldn't wake for anything...I

put my my hands on an ice pack and touched her cheeks, that

worked for sure!!

Yes you'll what to burp him after every feeding....I use to have

a hard to burping my girl until I realized what worked best

was standing up and walking with her over my shoulder.

He should burp whether asleep or not..

5-10 minutes or until he gets at least a couple good burps

out

Congrats!!

Answer 11

All babies should be held and patted after they eat and that is when you feel them close and their warm little bodies and heart beat against your chest is something that one day you will miss.

Yes baby needs burping.. You need it too.