Feeding a baby for the first time is an exciting experience for any new parent. It can also be a little intimidating, especially if you don't know what to expect. So here's a quick guide to one important aspect of feeding - burping.

Burping helps to get rid of some of the air that babies tend to swallow during feeding. If babies aren't burped frequently, too much swallowed air can lead to spitting up, crankiness, and gassiness in some babies. While babies with colic – 3 or more hours a day of continued crying – may have gas, doctors are not sure what cause colic. A colicky baby can develop gas by swallowing too much air during crying spells, which can make the baby even more uncomfortable. Using antigas drops has not proven to be an effective way to treat colic or gas.

When burping your baby, repeated gentle patting on your baby's back should do the trick - there's no need to pound hard on your baby's back. To prevent messy cleanups when your baby spits up or has a "wet burp," you might want to place a towel or bib under your baby's chin or on your shoulder.

You may also want to experiment with different positions for burping that are comfortable for you and your baby. Here are some tried-and-true methods:

1. Put a clean towel, cloth diaper or receiving blanket over your shoulder or wherever your baby's head will rest.
2. Position the baby over one shoulder with his stomach against your chest and with his head resting on your shoulder.
3. Gently pat your baby on the back and rub it in a circular motion until he burps.
4. Try the 'bull doggy burp.' Place one hand across the baby's chest, supporting his chin with your thumb and index finger. Lean your baby across that support hand and gently pat or rub his back with your free hand.
5. Opt for a 'lap burp.' Position yourself so that you can comfortably place the baby's head on one thigh and his stomach on the other. Using an upward and circular motion, gently pat the baby's back until he burps.
6. Try getting exercise while you walk and burp your baby. Stand up and place your arm under the baby's rib cage, with the baby's back to your chest. Walk around slowly, leaning the baby over your arm until he burps. And be patient: Sometimes burping takes several minutes.

If your baby seems fussy while feeding, stop the session, burp your baby, and then begin feeding again. Try burping your baby every 2 to 3 ounces (60 to 90 milliliters) if you bottle-feed and each time you switch breasts if you breastfeed. If your baby tends to be gassy, has gastroesophageal reflux, or seems fussy during feeding, try burping your baby every ounce during bottle-feeding or every 5 minutes during breastfeeding. If your baby doesn't burp after a few minutes, change the baby’s position and try burping for another few minutes before feeding again. Always burp your baby when feeding time is over.

For the first 6 months or so, keep your baby in an upright position for 10 to 15 minutes (or longer if your baby has gastroesophageal reflux) after feeding to help prevent the milk from coming back up. But don't worry if your baby spits up a few times. It's probably more unpleasant for you than it is for your baby.

Sometimes your baby may awaken because of gas - simply picking your little one up to burp might put him or her back to sleep. As your baby gets older, you shouldn't worry if your child doesn't burp during or after every feeding. Usually, it just means that your baby has learned to eat without swallowing excess air.