"We try and try, but he won't burp."

Oh, the magical burp. It's that often elusive sound that would be offensive for you to let loose at the dinner table, but everyone celebrates when it comes from your newborn.

So, what's the point? Easy, to get some of the air that's trapped in the stomach below the milk … out. Some babies are easy to burp. They can suck down eight ounces of milk in five minutes and you barely get them upright before your hear a big, manly burp. There are other babies who, no matter what you do: pat, bounce, dance or turn them upside down … they are not going to burp.

I actually don't think it matters. I think the biggest benefit of the process of burping is simply that you aren't immediately laying them down flat right after they feed. Keeping them upright helps the milk settle lower in their stomach and provides some protection from spitting up, but actually obtaining the precious belch is probably not all that important.

Do you have more questions about newborns? Check out Dr. Smith’s program, Newborn University, including 20 posts about newborn care and classes or consultation at his office in Lewisville.

About the author

Justin Smith, M.D., is a Cook Children's pediatrician in Lewisville . He attended University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School and did his pediatric training at Baylor College of Medicine. He joins Cook Children's after practicing in his hometown of Abilene for four years. He has a particular interest in development, behavior and care for children struggling with obesity. In his spare time, he enjoys playing with his 3 young children, exercising, reading and writing about parenting and pediatric health issues.