'Winding' or 'Burping' your Baby

Winding a baby after a feed is something many families are told they need to do, but there is no single rule that every baby needs winding after every feed.

Some babies naturally bring up air during or after feeding. Others rarely burp and seem perfectly comfortable. Some babies may need help to release trapped air, while others may simply pass it through their digestive system later.

Understanding how your baby feeds, watching their cues and knowing a few different winding positions can help you work out what is useful for your baby.

Does a good latch mean my baby does not need winding?

Not necessarily, but a good latch and effective milk transfer may mean that your baby swallows less air during a breastfeed.

A baby does not swallow air simply because they are sucking. Sucking and swallowing are different processes; air can be drawn into the mouth without necessarily being swallowed. During feeding, air may be incorporated into the swallow alongside liquid.

When a baby is well attached at the breast and feeding effectively, the seal between the baby's mouth and the breast may help minimise unnecessary air intake. However, babies can still swallow some air during feeding, even when feeding is going well.

Bottle feeding can involve different mechanics. A teat does not mould to the shape of the baby's oral cavity in the same way as breast tissue, so some babies may swallow more air while bottle feeding. This is not necessarily a problem, and not every bottle-fed baby needs to be wound after every feed.

A high palate may also affect how easily some babies achieve an effective seal, depending on their individual oral structure and feeding function. However, having a high palate does not automatically mean that a baby will swallow more air or needs winding.

The important thing is to look at the whole feeding picture rather than assuming that every baby needs to be wound.

Breastfeeding

Some breastfed babies will bring up a burp during or after a feed, while others will not.

If your baby is settled, feeding effectively and showing no signs of discomfort, there is no need to keep trying to make them burp simply because the feed has finished.

If your baby becomes unsettled, pulls away from the breast, squirms, grimaces, arches or appears uncomfortable during or after a feed, it may be worth changing position and giving them an opportunity to release any trapped air.

You can also pause during a feed if your baby naturally stops sucking and appears unsettled. An upright cuddle may be enough, or you may find one of the winding positions below helpful.

Bottle feeding

Bottle feeding can involve different amounts of swallowed air depending on the bottle, teat, flow rate, feeding position and the way the feed is offered.

Responsive, paced bottle feeding can help your baby control the flow of milk and take pauses when they need them. Watching your baby's feeding cues is more useful than trying to make them finish a particular volume or feeding to a schedule.

Paced bottle feeding

Paced bottle feeding is about allowing your baby to control the pace and flow of the feed rather than allowing milk to flow continuously into their mouth.

• Hold your baby in a semi-upright position, with their head and neck well supported.

• Offer the teat at your baby's upper lip and allow them to draw it into their mouth.

• Initially, hold the bottle angled down so that milk is not immediately filling the teat. Give your baby a few seconds to establish their sucking.

• Bring the bottle towards a horizontal position so that milk fills the teat.

• Keep the bottle approximately horizontal throughout the feed rather than tipping it upwards.

• Watch your baby's sucking, swallowing and breathing, as well as their wider feeding cues.

• When your baby pauses, you can tilt the bottle downwards while leaving the teat in their mouth, allowing them to pause without automatically removing the teat.

• If your baby turns their head away or pushes the teat away, allow them to stop rather than trying to encourage them to continue.

• Follow your baby's cues when they show that they have had enough.

Responsive and paced feeding can reduce the likelihood of milk flowing faster than your baby is comfortable managing, while also giving them opportunities to pause and regulate their feeding.

For more information, see How to pace bottle feeds: a calm, practical guide.

When might a baby benefit from winding?

There are no fixed rules about when a baby should be wound.

Some babies may benefit from an opportunity to release trapped air if they appear uncomfortable during or after a feed. You might notice squirming, pulling away, grimacing, arching, crying or repeatedly stopping and starting the feed.

Other babies may simply settle after a feed without needing to burp.

If your baby does not burp, this does not mean that something is wrong. Swallowed air does not always need to come back up as a burp. It may move through the digestive system and eventually be passed as flatus instead.

How to wind a baby

There is no single best winding position. Different babies respond differently, and the position that works well at one feed may not be useful at another.

The most important considerations are that your baby is well supported, their airway remains clear and you are responding to their movements and cues. There are many methods and techniques to try, here are 4 of the most commonly used methods:

1. Over your shoulder

• Hold your baby upright against your chest with their head supported over or near your shoulder.

• Support their bottom and back securely.

• Keep their face visible and make sure their airway remains clear.

• Use your free hand to rub or pat their back.

• The pressure should be firm enough to create some movement and potentially help trapped air move, but it should not be forceful, vigorous or uncomfortable.

• You can also simply hold your baby upright for a while and allow them to settle without patting.

2. Sitting supported on your lap

• Sit your baby upright on your lap, facing sideways or slightly away from you.

• Support their chest and chin with one hand, taking care not to put pressure on their throat.

• Keep their head and neck supported.

• Lean your baby slightly forwards if this is comfortable for them while keeping their airway clear.

• Use your other hand to rub or pat their back.

• Allow your baby time to settle rather than repeatedly changing their position if they are comfortable.

3. Tummy-down across your lap

• Place your baby tummy-down across your lap, supporting their head and upper body.

• Keep their face turned to one side and clearly visible.

• Make sure their airway remains unobstructed.

• Support your baby securely while using your free hand to rub or pat their back.

• The pressure should be firm enough to create some movement without being forceful or uncomfortable.

• This position should only be used while your baby is awake and directly supervised.

4. Winding in an asymmetrical position

Some babies may settle more comfortably when they are supported in a slightly asymmetrical position while being wound.

They may lean slightly to one side, turn their head, stretch, curl and uncurl, or make small movements through their body while you continue to support them.

The aim is not to place your baby into a particular position, but to provide secure support while allowing them to find a comfortable position.

• Support your baby securely while allowing some freedom to move.

• Allow them to settle into a slightly asymmetrical position if they naturally do so.

• Keep their airway clear and their face visible.

• Follow your baby's movements rather than forcing their posture.

• Stop if your baby becomes distressed or the position is no longer comfortable or safe.

What if my baby does not burp?

Your baby does not have to burp after every feed.

Some babies burp quickly. Others need more time. Some do not burp at all.

If your baby is comfortable and settled, there is no need to keep patting or changing their position in an attempt to produce a burp.

Swallowed air can also move through the digestive system and be passed as flatus. A baby who does not burp is not necessarily retaining harmful amounts of air.

Does my baby need to stay upright after a feed?

Not necessarily.

An upright cuddle may be useful if your baby appears to need winding or simply enjoys being held close after a feed. However, there is no requirement to keep a comfortable baby upright for a set amount of time after every feed.

When your baby is ready to sleep, they should be placed flat on their back on a firm, flat sleep surface.

What about reflux?

Small amounts of milk coming back up after a feed are common in babies.

Reflux-like behaviours can sometimes overlap with feeding mechanics, swallowing air and normal infant behaviour, so it is useful to consider the whole feeding picture rather than assuming that every unsettled baby has reflux.

For more information about infant reflux, feeding, self-help and when further support may be useful, see Infant reflux: feeding, self-help and when to seek support.

Tummy time and winding

Tummy time is not a winding technique, but some babies may pass wind while they are lying on their tummy and moving their body.

Tummy time should be undertaken when your baby is awake and directly supervised. It is also important for developing strength and movement, so it has benefits beyond helping with wind.

Tummy time is not a sleep position.

Every baby is different

There is no single winding technique that works for every baby.

One baby may burp immediately when held over a shoulder, while another may settle more easily sitting upright on a lap. Some babies may need an opportunity to move and change position, while others simply want to be held quietly after a feed.

Rather than trying to make a baby burp because you have been told that you should, watch what your baby is communicating. If they are comfortable and settled, they may not need winding. If they appear uncomfortable, trying a different position or offering an upright cuddle may help.

Winding should be responsive rather than a routine that has to be completed after every feed.

When should I seek further support?

If your baby is consistently unsettled during feeds, repeatedly pulls away from the breast or bottle, struggles to maintain a seal, coughs or splutters frequently, has difficulty coordinating sucking, swallowing and breathing, or feeding is becoming difficult for you or your baby, it may be useful to have the feeding assessed.

A feeding assessment can look at the whole feeding picture rather than focusing on winding alone.

This may include your baby's positioning, attachment, milk transfer, sucking pattern, swallowing, breathing, feeding cues and overall feeding experience.

You can read more about signs that a baby's feeding may need a closer look in How to tell if your baby's feeding needs a closer look.

You may also find Signs of poor milk transfer in your baby at feeds helpful.

The takeaway

Winding is not something that every baby needs after every feed.

Some babies swallow air and benefit from being given an opportunity to release it. Others do not burp and remain completely comfortable.

Whether your baby is breastfed or bottle fed, watching their feeding behaviour and cues is more useful than following a fixed winding routine. Try different supported positions if your baby appears uncomfortable, but if they are settled, there is no need to keep trying to make them burp.

References

NHS (2024) Burping your baby. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/how-to-burp-your-baby/ (Accessed: 12 September 2026).

NHS (2024) Bottle feeding advice. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/bottle-feeding-your-baby/ (Accessed: 12 September 2026).

NHS (2024) Feeding on demand. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/baby/feeding-your-baby/breastfeeding/feeding-on-demand/ (Accessed: 12 September 2026).

UNICEF UK Baby Friendly Initiative (n.d.) Responsive bottle feeding. Available at: https://www.unicef.org.uk/babyfriendly/baby-friendly-resources/relationship-building-resources/responsive-bottle-feeding/ (Accessed: 12 September 2026).

D-Restricted Ltd® (n.d.) How to pace bottle feeds: a calm, practical guide. Available at: https://www.tongue-tie.info/post/how-to-pace-bottle-feeds-a-calm-practical-guide (Accessed: 12 September 2026).

D-Restricted Ltd® (n.d.) Infant reflux: feeding, self-help and when to seek support. Available at: https://www.tongue-tie.info/post/infant-reflux-feeding-self-help-and-when-to-seek-support (Accessed: 12 September 2026).

D-Restricted Ltd® (n.d.) How to tell if your baby's feeding needs a closer look. Available at: https://www.tongue-tie.info/post/how-to-tell-if-your-baby-s-feeding-needs-a-closer-look (Accessed: 12 September 2026).

D-Restricted Ltd® (n.d.) Signs of poor milk transfer in your baby at feeds. Available at: https://www.tongue-tie.info/post/signs-of-poor-milk-transfer-in-your-baby-at-feeds (Accessed: 12 September 2026).