What is wind?

Wind is simply a build up of air in your baby's stomach.
Many babies seem to have trouble bringing up wind and parents find it hard to know their baby is still in discomfort. Air is often swallowed along with milk when your baby feeds, but he can also get wind when he cries.

This can make your baby feel full before he has drunk enough milk.
If your baby has not had sufficient milk it will cause baby to sleep less and require feeding more often, leaving you feeling tired and exhausted.
In some cases it can disturb feeding routines because your baby is feeding so regularly. If you are unable to rest as needed between feeds this can ultimately affect your milk supply.

Another reason for this wind may be that your baby's immature digestive system is allowing air to travel further into the stomach, making it harder for you to wind him.

If you do not wind your baby this can obviously make him very uncomfortable, some babies seem to be able to remove wind easily through hiccuping.

Patting or rubbing your baby's back is the most effective way to get your baby to bring up wind. Here are a few positions most commonly used for burping a baby. Try all of them as most babies find one more effective than the others.



Over-the-shoulder:
place the baby over your shoulder with his body supported by one arm. As your baby is stretched out and upright, this is often the easiest position to get him to burp. With your other hand, pat or rub his back.


Sitting up:
Sit your baby on your lap so he leans forward with his chin supported on your hand.
Pat or rub his back softly with some gentle pressure with your other hand.



Face-down on your lap:
place your baby face down on your lap. Hold him firmly with one hand and pat or rub his back with gentle pressure with the other.