Sunday, November 23, 2008

Handy Burp'em

During the Fall Y'all Bloggy Giveaway Carnival last month I won a specialized burp cloth called a Handy Burp'em. The creator let me choose a fabric (I chose Sea Friends) and she graciously sent me my prize.

As grateful as I am to have won something useful (especially as we prepare for Teresa's arrival in February), I am still not quite sure what to make of this unique burp cloth. You're supposed to slip your hand through the top loop and press it up under baby's chin while you burp her. The bottom opens up with a little pocket ready to catch anything that might dribble down. End result: ultimate spit-up protection.

Sounds good, but I'm wondering - is sitting the baby up an optimal position for burping? I guess I always imagine them leaning up against my shoulder. But this cloth should work well for that, too.

What do you think?

7 comments:

Sarah H. Wood said...

I think it depends on the baby... and you. I never really burped Joseph as a matter of course. He certainly had his share of spitting up, but "burping" him was not part of our feeding routine. I would do so if he was acting uncomfortable and I thought he needed help.
Basically, we just had towels under him and on us at all times!

Diane said...

I usually burped you all on my shoulder, but occasionally the sitting up burping would work, too. I think a flat cloth diaper worked just fine for catching stuff. I learned to keep them handy!

Lillian said...

I actually prefer to burp all my babies sitting up. I hold them under the chin. Mine don't burp as well over the shoulder. I only burp them over the shoulder when they are alseep. But I always burp after every feeding. They have less gas, less stomach pains, and more peaceful sleep. And I'm always afraid they will burp and choke in their sleep.

I'm sure you'll figure out what works best for you.

Em said...

Just wanted to say thanks for your kind comments on Faith and Family Live. You are too sweet.
As to burping... hmmm... I don't know. I've never burped my babies, and never worn cloths or anything. I guess I have just never really thought about it. I've never had a baby who seemed ill-content though. I suppose if we ever have a colicky baby I might start burping them.
Lillian, how do you burp after ever feeding sitting up? Do you wake them up if they are lying down in bed? I'm trying to figure out how you do that with sleep sharing.
I think I have so much to learn!!!!!

Katherine T. Lauer said...

Sitting the baby forward is a good position for burping, but I think you'll find that, whatever position you use, you'll just grab whatever nearby fabric is handy. And some babies don't need much burping. I'm still figuring out Mary, but I don't think she needs hardly any burping.

Lillian said...

Emily,
Just saw your question. Usually, my little ones sleep right through the burping. Just like if you burp them on your shoulder. I don't burp during the night UNLESS I hear some gurgling. Then I just sit them up or burp them over my hip.

I have quick let downs and I think they swallow lots of air when trying to keep up with the flow. LOL!!

Also, I forgot to mention another way I burp sleeping babies .... I slowly lay them down and then bring them back up. That seems to get the air to come up.

I got ALL these ideas from Dr. Sear's The Baby Book.

I don't know why I ALWAYS burp. I was just taught to and it seems logical to me. A good burp and they go right back to sleep. If they don't go back to sleep, I offer the other breast. Sometimes lots of air can give the feeling of being full. After burping baby sometimes decides to continue nursing.

I honestly don't know how it works without burping ... but your 5 kids seem very happy and content. ;-)

Hope you read this. Sorry for the long response, Frances.

Momof2bz said...

I have the handy burp'ems and I use them. Having spitters, I can't burp mine over the shoulder. I have ruined too many shirts that way. I love these burp cloths because when they are on your hand, you don't lose them. There is nothing worse than needing a burp cloth and not being able to find it. The material is also super absorbent and gets softer with every wash. I also like them much better than a flat cloth diaper b/c they are embarrasing to use after they are stained. I know you can bleach them but you can't bleach them when you are out of the day. I am so glad that I found these cloths.