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How do i get rid of my baby's gas? they won't burp after feeding?

Burping helps some babies, but not all babies need to burp, and if yours won't burp after a few tries, that's usually fine. Try repositioning, gentle tummy massage, or bicycle legs instead.

Some research even questions whether burping itself has proven benefits, so a baby who doesn't burp easily isn't necessarily a problem.

Strength of evidence

Mixed

Guidance on burping techniques comes from trusted pediatric sources, but a recent literature review found no solid evidence that burping actually reduces gas, colic, or spit-up.

What the evidence says

First, know that not every baby needs to burp after every feed. Some breastfed babies swallow very little air and may not burp much at all, so if your baby doesn't burp after a couple of minutes of trying, it's usually fine to just continue with your routine.

If you want to keep trying, change position: hold baby upright against your shoulder and pat or rub their back, sit them on your lap leaning slightly forward while supporting their chin and chest, or lay them face-down across your lap and pat their back. Switching positions during (not just after) feeds can also help.

For gas that isn't about burping specifically, gentle moves can help move trapped air along: lay baby on their back and move their legs in a bicycling motion, or give supervised tummy time, which can put gentle pressure on the belly. Simethicone drops (like Mylicon) are commonly used, but there isn't strong evidence they actually work better than placebo.

Interestingly, a recent review of the science behind burping found that despite how common the practice is, there isn't good evidence that burping actually reduces gas, spit-up, or colic. So don't stress if burping isn't going well, it may matter less than we assume.

Sources

✓Reviewed by CH, MD, FRCPC

Reviewed by a specialist physician certified by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, who has read this answer against the sources listed above and confirmed it reflects them. That is not medical advice about your child. How we review

Answer checked July 24, 2026

Educational information only. Not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and no doctor-patient relationship is created by using this. Founded Parent has not examined your child and does not know their history, so this may not apply to you. In an emergency, call your local emergency number. What Founded Parent cannot do

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