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You are here: Know-how » Breastfeeding » Winding your baby » Information

Winding your baby

The hows and whys of winding

Why?

 

Air can fill your baby’s tummy as they drink. This can make them feel uncomfortable and stop your baby having a good feed. If they do not feed properly they won’t settle to sleep very well. Also, if they are fed on top of wind, they will often be sick

 

Some babies are never troubled by wind, whilst others seem to suffer after every feed

 

When? 

  • Usually babies need to be winded halfway through their feed and again at the end of their feed
  • If they are very windy or tend to ‘posset’ a lot after a feed, winding before feeding may help
  • Also, when babies cry they gulp down air, which can make them windy 

How? 

 

There are 2 main positions: 

  • Over your shoulder
  • Sitting up on your lap, holding their back in one hand with the other hand under their chin
  1. Position your baby
  2. Rub their back quite firmly until they burp
    Take your time. It might take a while
  3. Try feeding your baby again
    They might want more now they have more room in their tummy
     

 

To find out more on winding your baby:

Click here to see our video

Click here to see our downloadable Helpsheet

 

Your baby might bring up some milk (‘posset’) when you wind them. Make sure you have a cloth handy to protect your clothes and mop up any mess.



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