Tips for hard to burp preemie?

EAMommy

First, LO came home yesterday at 36w2d gestation age after 3w1d in the NICU! We are so happy he's home! It was rough having him in the NICU an hour away.

Second, he's super hard to burp. The nurses said it's a preemie trait as they don't have the muscle coordination needed to get the air out. We had a rough night last night as he would. not. burp. DH finally got two good burps out of him this morning but again after his 9:30 bottle, we're right back where we were...

So, preemie moms, any tips? 

ETA: We've tried over the shoulder--patting the back from bottom up and rubbing; sitting him in our lap while holding his chin and patting/rubbing his back; baby sit-ups (laying him down and then putting him back in the burping position)... Stopping him earlier to burp; letting him drink the whole bottle (2 oz) before putting him to burp...

rcohron

It helped us to put pressure on his belly while patting the back.  If the shoulder isn't working, try laying him accross your lap and patting his back.  Also, my sister taught me a trick for tummy trouble that is a little hard to explain.  When you are standing, hold baby like a cradle in your arms only face him down toward the ground.  Your hands/arms put pressure on the belly and you can rock him too.  Hope that helps!  GL

jennbent

I do "ride the horsie"... is what I call it.  I put him on my knee and bounce him up and down.  I also rub his back up and down while he's bouncing.  It's the only thing that works for my hard to burp LO too.  

thishappyhouse

2 things that worked for us:

rubbing her head between pats... seems to relax her enough to sometimes get it out.

 pressure on the tummy by laying her over our leg and rubbing her back.   

rslhmg

We do what we call the "Rowan roller coaster" a few rounds of moving her from laying to sitting on our lap, then straddled over our arm face down and moving her parallel to the ground, over our lap of course cuz she wiggles, and up towards our chest, then up on the shoulder for back pats, literally the only way to get her to burp most days. Bonus we get an arm workout lol. Like pp said just keep trying, you will find the trick that works for your Lo!

EAMommy

Thanks for all the tips... I'll try them in the feedings to come...

Today was a bit better than last night--I was able to get a burp about 50% of the time. Hoping we have continued success and a better night tonight!

missgooseyface

We do all different things...over the shoulder works best for me.  My husband prefers to hold her on his lap with one hand supporting her chest/head while rubbing and patting her back.  When I don't get a burp over the shoulder I move her to either the way DH does it, or I lay  her across my legs and pat her back. Sometimes just switching positions gets the burp out