Do newborns need burping after drinking water?

Generally, burping is recommended for newborns after drinking water to prevent food from refluxing into the esophagus and causing discomfort.

Newborns refer to infants within 28 days of birth. During this period, their organs are still developing, including the stomach, which has not yet fully matured. Additionally, the cardiac sphincter (the muscle at the entrance of the stomach) tends to be relatively loose. After drinking water, newborns may experience hiccups, which can cause stomach contents to flow back into the esophagus, potentially leading to choking. However, burping after drinking helps expel air from the stomach, thereby reducing the risk of choking. For this reason, burping is generally advised after a newborn drinks water.

When burping a newborn, take care to use gentle pressure, as their internal organs are still immature and excessive force could potentially cause injury. It is recommended to hold the baby upright against your shoulder with their head resting on it, support their lower back with one hand, and gently pat their back with the other until they burp, then stop.