Why wind a baby?
The primary reason to wind a baby during feeding is to make sure their stomach does not contain air. Babies can swallow air as they drink, particularly when drinking from a bottle. Babies also tend to gulp down air when they cry. This can make them feel uncomfortable and stop them having a good feed. If they don’t feed properly they won’t settle to sleep well. Also, if babies are fed on top of wind they’ll often be sick.
Some babies are never troubled by wind, others suffer after every feed.
When?
In general, babies need to be winded halfway through their feed and again at the end of their feed.
If a baby tends to be very windy or often possets a lot after a feed, winding before each feed may help.
How?
There are two main positions:
- Over the shoulder.
- Sitting up on a lap, holding their back in one hand with the other hand under their chin.
1. Position the baby.
2. Rub their back quite firmly until they burp.
This can take some time.
3. Try feeding them again.
They may want more now they have more room in their tummy.
For more information have a look at our video ‘How to wind your baby’, or our helpsheet