by Nikki H.

Created on: March 15, 2007   Last Updated: April 25, 2007

All babies are different, we all know that. They look different, they sound different, they smell different, and they also burp different! Some will voluntarily and ceremoniously burp in the face of anyone who holds them, and some will try their hardest to keep even the tiniest burp locked away in their little bodies until they're screaming with pain.

Never fear though, there are plenty of tried and tested techniques to help bring up that wind. Traditionally there is the "over the shoulder" position. To try this one, hold your baby facing you, against your chest, with it's head just above your shoulder height. Gently rub from the base of the spine up towards the nape of the neck, remove your hand and then place it back on the base of the spine and repeat until that burp comes out. Alternatively you can rub gently in large circles or pat gently, both from the base of the spine upwards. Try not to move downwards though as you're trying to force the air to move upwards!

Another more traditional attempt is by sitting the baby up. Some babies will burp as soon as they are moved into a sitting position but some like to hold on to it just that little bit longer. To help ease it out, lean the baby's chin on your hand (don't put your hand around their neck!) and follow the rubbing, patting or circling movements as described above.

If that doesn't work, you can try laying them face down across your knees and repeating the same rubbing, patting or circling movements from the base of the spine up to the nape of the neck. If none of the methods seem to work try alternating them, so sit baby up and 'wind' them then lean them over your shoulder then lay them across your legs, or any other combination you can think of. Often moving baby from one position to another can help to free the wind from wherever it is trapped and help expel it from your little one's system.

If it doesn't work and the wind travels a bit further down baby's system you can try massaging their tummy and the base of their back to relieve "bottom" wind. It's best if this is done whilst baby's knees are brought towards the chest though as this constricts the area free for the wind to travel and 'forces' it in the right direction to be expelled.

Another, rather bizarre but proven (at least by me it is) technique is to lay baby on their back with their knees slightly raised and gently massage the ball of their foot, just below the toes... that squishy part of the foot that makes newborn feet so adorable. Circular movements as though you're trying to get rid of cramp are best, with the thumb on one side of the foot and the fingers on the other side. Apparently this is linked to reflexology but to be honest, do we really care as long as it works?!

If all else fails and you're losing your marbles trying to cope with a baby that refuses to bring up their wind there's a fantastic technique that is sure to see them bring up both their wind and any curdled milk gurgling away in their tummy... dress baby in their last clean outfit and do the same to yourself (or whoever is holding baby). Pick baby up and head towards the door, safe in the knowledge that if you don't leave immediately you will be extremely late for an important appointment. Hey presto, one baby removing all wind and vomit promptly and with much gusto... all over you and them!

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