Baby's head bouncing

[Cheesecake7]

Can anyone tell I am a first time mom?  Ha!  I could probably write  a whole book full of questions.

My 3 week old is breastfed, and doesn't burp very well, she hardly ever burps after a feeding, but I still try.  Both when I burp her, and when we ride in the car her head bounces a little bit, not much, and it is just from my hand burping her or from the road v ibrations.  It just conerns me because I don't want her to have any "shaken baby" conditions.  Ive tried burping her in other ways, but it works best when I pat on her back, which makes her head bounce....  Am I hurting her?

[PeanutMommy2011]

My husband likes to bounce our week old baby on his knee gently to get him to burp, he supports his neck and head. Is this going to hurt him? It looks really awkward when he does it and  as a first time mom I'm paranoid about a lot.

[JoyRenee]

She's just fine! Just remember to put your hand under her chin to help her support her neck, of course. What I did was put a burp cloth over my hand and place it under her chin as I helped hold her head.

That type of bouncing isn't what gives baby's brain damage or hemorrages. It's the jerking and shaking really fast of a baby to where their head literally bangs backwards and forwards that would cause problems because the brain literally hits the skull and bleeding occurs.

But bouncing, rocking are all fine. I bounced my babies all the time, all the while holding their sweet little necks. It was one of my favorite things to do with them other than pat their diapered tushies (which babies seem to really like for some reason! Helps put them to sleep). You're doing great! And PLEASE ask any questions. Don't feel silly or stupid. We've all had to ask these questions at some point. *HUGS*

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I agree with everyone.  She is fine.  When I burp my babies, I do it the same as you.  My preferred method is to put the baby's head on my shoulder.  I just put a burp cloth over my shoulder and put her head there.  This way there isn't so much bouncing.  Not that I think the bouncing is going to hurt the baby at all.  It just seems so awkward with their lack of neck control at that age.  Maybe try that way???

It's good to worry!!!  The bad news.....You will worry for the rest of her life now :)  

[Cheesecake7]

Thank you ladies!  I feel better now.  I am a worrier, can you tell?  LOL...


I can't believe I had my baby either!!  Sometimes it seems like a dream, I wake up and for a split second want to reach for the thermometer, or my clomid.  It is amazing to finally have her here  : )

[babydreams9]

She's fine - no worries! Actually gentle bouncing is calming for a baby and makes them feel comforted. Shaken baby syndrome results from vigorous, violent shaking - not the gentle, loving bounces you are giving her. My son loves being burped sitting up on my knee/thigh with one of my hands firmly on his chest and the other patting his back - he's fallen asleep like that many times! :)

[dnikki0928]

No honey, I don't think you're hurting her! The bouncing from you burping her is probably her reflexes and she is also trying to hold her head up. DS did that and I remember it seemed like it bounced an aweful lot. Shaken baby id when you literally shake the baby causing their brains to bounce back and forth I believe...
If you have any other questions, feel free to ask!!

P.S - I can't believe you had your baby!! I remember when you got your BFP on the fertility forum!!!