How can I learn how to burp?

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Request for Question Clarification by vinods-ga on 11 Dec 2002 06:55 PST

Hi

Most sites refer to helping children learn to burp. I am unsure if
that is what you want. Please clarify.

warm regards
vinods-ga

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Clarification of Question by need_to_burp-ga on 11 Dec 2002 07:14 PST

Regarding the request by vinods-ga for clarification; the sites for
children would be fine.  This request is on behalf of my wife who is
bloated and complains she doesn't know how to burp.   Thanks

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Request for Question Clarification by leapinglizard-ga on 11 Dec 2002 08:01 PST

I'm no child-rearing expert, but my understanding is that when parents
speak of burping the baby, they mean the ritual act of hefting the
baby on one shoulder after a meal and patting him on the back. I doubt
this is the kind of treatment your wife is interested in.

I do happen to be a master of eructation. I can belch at will, loudly
and at length. I have impressed my peers and horrified my superiors by
belching the alphabet song and various other popular tunes. If you
like, I can answer your question by offering my personal guide to
deliberate belching. I don't guarantee immediate results, but I'd say
that with a few days' practice and plenty of good will, success is
likely.

leapinglizard

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Clarification of Question by need_to_burp-ga on 11 Dec 2002 08:47 PST

Regarding the comments of leapinglizard-qa; thanks, I was hearing what
I wanted to hear and didn't realize this meant burping babies.  Thanks
for the correction.   I would appreciate hearing your method.

Thanks.

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Request for Question Clarification by tehuti-ga on 11 Dec 2002 10:35 PST

Has she tried sodium bicarbonate?

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Clarification of Question by need_to_burp-ga on 11 Dec 2002 11:04 PST

Regarding the request for clarification by tehuti-ga; she's not
familiar with the method and hasn't tried it.

being "bloated" can mean and be due to many things, some serious, some
not. It would be a good idea to begin with a checkup with her doctor.

I think I would be inclined to follow surgeon-ga's advice, as burping
is natural and usually happens in situations where you don't want it
to occur (embrassingly). Gaseous foods usually help the burp process,
e.g. cans of fizzy (carbonated drinks). Try gulping down 7up or Sprite
and swallowing air at the same time, and the fizzy should induce a
burp! 7up causes me to make streams of burps in succession! (the
bottles have less fizz). However if she cannot burp for a medical
reason the air will be trapped and cause her discomfort.
regards
lot-ga

She's pregnant and is under the near-constant watchful eye of many
doctors.  Trust me, the relief is no more than a burp away.

Pregnant? Just a tiny bit of info not in the original question!!!! Ok,
then, I withdraw my comment.

Here's my guess:  Burping has to do with air escaping from the food
tube, not the air tube.  Usually this tube is sealed with the
epiglottis while we breathe normally, thus not letting air get into
the food tube.  A fake burp can be done by swallowing air.  This is
done by letting sucking open the epiglottis, which is basically the
opposite of the val salva technique, the val salva technique is used
by jet plane pilots to avoid blacking out and forcing blood into the
head.  The actual burping after the sucking in of air is something
similar in technique to the val salva technique, but you're thinking
more about pushing the air out of your food tube throug the epiglottis
rather than forcing blood to your head.  So try to suck air in the
food tube and then push it out.  The vibrato of the burp is caused by
the epiglottis flapping.  I haven't researched any of this so I could
be using the wrong terms.

Hi Need_to_burp! 

     I was nineteen years old before I "learned" to burp, (I think it
has something to do with girls being trained to repress burps) so I
can totally sympathize with your wife.   Personally, I know that the
ONLY way for me to burp is to totally inhale a coke (only fountain
cokes work, like from McDonalds) and then I can do it.

     Otherwise, here is some information that will hopefully be of
help to you, and the answer you are looking for:

 - This is an article written by a man who expreses discomfort when he
can't burp - and he talks about how he has to "burp himself like a
baby":
http://yinzgandantananat.editthispage.com/2001/01/11

- This woman had a surgery for people who have uncomfortable
heartburn.  She can no longer burp, but explains the problem
eventually solves itself and the air is pushed out:
"I can't burp so Gas just builds and builds until pushed out,
unexpectedly I must add."
http://www.geocities.com/lapro_fundo/linda_fundo_long.html

- Here's an elementary school's site on "special talents"  - one of
the boys, Chris, discusses that his talent is burping, and "taught"
the ones that couldn't burp on command how to.  Click here for his
clever instructions! :)
http://www.newtown.k12.ct.us/~royalk/bellerosehom/specialtalent.htm

- Here's a GREAT discussion board on heartburn, where someone has
posted how to burp!  I've given you the link for the beginning page -
just click the "Next" button to discover all the burping-help comments
that people have posted!  There are many suggestions and all seem very
helpful.
   Some of the things suggested (in brief, please also look at the
site)
            * sit upright and don't put any pressure on your back
            * chug a sprite, ginger ale, beer, or bubbly
            * try walking, or the yoga position "upward facing dog"
            * chug pop/beer
            * lie down diagonally for 15 minutes
            * Chewable Super Papaya Enzyme Plus, found in Health food
stores
http://www.heartburn-help.com/MessageBoard45/_disc26/000001a9.htm

Hope these suggestions fix your problem!  Good Luck with the Baby as
well.  Please let me know if I can provide any other answers or
clarifications for you!

-Rebekah


Also, on a personal note - my mother just informed me that when she
was pregnant with me, she experienced terrible "heart burn" type
feelings & couldn't burp.  I was born with a full head of hair and
doctors suggest that may have caused the problem.  Perhaps you'll have
a baby with an abundance of hair!

Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) is a good idea.

Essentially, mix about a 1/4 cup of water with 1 or 2 good heaping
spoons of baking soda. You now have a very strong "base" or alkaline
fluid which is also mostly harmless to humans (except for the soidum
content of course. don't make these part of the daily diet!). When
chugged down (like drinking a shot of rotgut whiskey in an old
western. don't sip.) the alkaline combines with the acid in the
stomach and creates carbon dioxide gas. The normal reaction is a
sudden, loud, long, very impressive burp.

Benefits:
Can relieve bloating and discomfort related to gas when burping
doesn't work or cannot be done. Basically forces a burp.

Also can be used as a heartburn/indigestion relief, as it
signifigantly lowers the amount of acid in the stomach, which could be
causing the discomfort.

If you want an idea of what to expect, put about 1.2 a cup or a cup of
vinegar in the bottom of a tall vase, carafe, etc. Then pour in your
baking soda drink and POOF!!!!!

-sparky4ca-ga

PS:If this works, please let us know so that tehuti-ga can post it an
an answer.

-sparky4ca-ga