Baby Falls Asleep Without Burping | What You Should Do

| Reviewed By Amanda Lundberg, BSN, RN

Burping your infant is an important step in the feeding process that can aid in relieving stomach discomfort and gas. Unfortunately, many babies tend to doze off during feedings before you can burp them properly.

You should not put your little one down without trying to burp first. Even if they fall asleep during a feeding session, you should try to get a burp out of them before you put them down to finish their nap. Skipping a burping session can lead to consequences later.

Burping your baby helps them deal with gas issues, and it may help them sleep longer. Here’s everything you need to know about why and how to burp your little one.

Burping a Sleeping Baby

It might seem pointless to burp a sleeping baby, but it’s not. There are plenty of good reasons not to skip burping.

Why Babies Need To Burp

Babies take in air bubbles when they breastfeed or drink from a bottle. Burping helps them get some of the gas out of their system so their food can digest and they can be comfortable.

A good burping session can also help your little one avoid a spit-up incident.

Signs Baby Needs To Burp

If your baby is suddenly trying to get away from your breast or the bottle during a feeding session, he or she may need to burp.

A child who is moving around a lot and seems uncomfortable could also benefit from burping. Stomach pain due to gas or swallowing air bubbles may be to blame, and burping can alleviate this pain.

What Happens if Baby Doesn’t Burp After Feeding?

If your baby doesn’t burp after a feeding, gas pockets and pain may make it impossible for them to rest well when it’s time to sleep.

If your child does fall asleep while feeding and you don’t burp them, they could wake up spitting up or crying from discomfort.

Should a Newborn Always Burp?

You should always try to burp your newborn after feeding them 2-3 ounces of milk or when you switch breasts during a nursing session. They may not burp every time, but you should still attempt to burp them.

Can Newborn Choke if Not Burped?

It is not likely that your newborn will choke if not burped. Your baby has a spit-up reflex that will help them cough out or swallow milk or spit up if it rises in their sleep.

Burping your baby before they sleep will make their sleep more comfortable though.

Is It Normal for Babies To Fall Asleep While Feeding?

It is normal for babies to fall asleep while feeding, but you should still attempt to burp them. Just like adults, babies can get very drowsy after a good meal, so napping during feeding is common.

A baby falling asleep while nursing in bed with the mother.

How To Burp a Sleeping Baby

It’s not difficult to burp a sleeping baby. You can put your baby on your legs and gently pat his back. You can also simply put him on your shoulder and pat his back until he lets out some burps. 

When To Stop Burping a Baby

Once your baby burps, you can move on as long as he seems comfortable. Newborns may only give you one good burp per session, but that may be all they need.

If you have tried to burp a child for a few minutes with no result, you can take a break and try again in a few minutes.

When To Stop Burping Baby at Night

When your child is between 4-6 months old, you can stop burping them at night unless they are uncomfortable or extremely gassy. By this point, they should be able to digest milk better, so they won’t need burping sessions as often.

Why Does My Baby Fall Asleep While Bottle Feeding?

Newborns sleep a lot in the early days of life, so your child may fall asleep during bottle feeding just because he’s tired. It can also be a sign that he is full.

As long as he is getting the milk from the bottle and not in distress, it’s usually just a sign that he is tired and full.

Why Does My Baby Fall Asleep While Breastfeeding?

Your baby likely falls asleep during breastfeeding because the love hormone, oxytocin, is running through their system. It can also happen because your baby is full and warm. 

It is possible for a baby to fall asleep while breastfeeding because he can’t get a good latch and is frustrated, so always make sure your child is latched properly.

Baby Falls Asleep While Breastfeeding but Still Hungry

A baby who falls asleep while breastfeeding but is still hungry is probably not latching properly. He may fall asleep because he’s too tired to keep trying to get the milk he wants.

You can seek a lactation specialist to help you get your child latched and ensure he is getting enough milk during each nursing session.

Related Questions: 

How Long Does It Take To Burp a Baby?

Burping a baby does not usually take very long. In a minute or two, your baby may let out a burp that lets you know they are relieved from their last meal. It can take longer, but burping is something that is worth the time.

Is One Burp Enough for Newborn?

Every burp counts! If your newborn only burps once, that’s fine. Make sure to burp them frequently, especially if they have gas pain. However, they don’t have to burp multiple times each burping session.

If Baby Falls Asleep While Nursing, Are They Full?

There’s more than one reason for your baby to fall asleep during a nursing session. It’s possible that your baby is full and that the skin-to-skin contact helped them drift off comfortably in your arms.

It’s also possible that your child is not getting a proper latch and is exhausted from trying to get milk. If your child can’t latch properly, all that rooting and trying to nurse will wear them out before they have had enough to eat. 

You need to rule out this possibility by making sure your baby is latched properly and not constantly cranky from not getting enough food.

Final Thoughts

Burping is an important part of the meal process. Make sure your baby gets enough burping sessions to rest comfortably after a meal. The extra few minutes it takes will be well worth it.