How to wind your newborn baby

Not all babies suffer from excessive wind in their tummies during a feed, but it is helpful to wind your baby and encourage them to burp.

Guide to help you understand how and why you need to wind your baby

1. Wind often occurs when your baby swallows air when feeding or gulps in air when crying. It can make her feel too full or uncomfortable.

2. Signs of wind are your baby squirming or crying during a feed or looking pained when you put her down afterwards.

3. Breastfed babies are less prone to wind as they have more control over milk flow, unless she feeds quickly or your milk is fast flowing.

4. To minimise wind, when bottle feeding keep your baby upright and tilt the bottle so that the milk completely covers the hole.

5. If she's feeding well, don't stop to wind her because she might get upset and gulp in air as she cries. Wait for a natural break to try winding.

6. Patting and rubbing your baby's back will help her bring up wind. Have a muslin square on hand in case she brings up milk, too.

7. Some good positions to try when winding your baby are holding her over your shoulder, sitting her upright or laying her face down on your lap.

8. If your baby doesn't burp within a few minutes she may not have wind. Some babies struggle to bring air up so persevere if she looks pained.

9. If your baby is suffering with severe wind, your health visitor may suggest medication that will help ease your baby's discomfort.

10. As your baby gets older she will get better at feeding and will settle into her most comfortable positions so wind is less of a problem.

Visit www.motherandbaby.co.uk for more advice