air in crop

**jayzandra** · 03-02-2007, 09:15 PM

Today I noticed that the biggest (oldest) baby had air in his crop. I read about this, but what I read had to do with handfeeding, which I'm not yet doing. It said to let the crop empty then "burp" the baby by extending the head and massaging the air out. The baby is still currently being fed by it's parents at 7 days old. Do I need to do anything or will he be o.k.?

**Finch** · 03-03-2007, 10:30 AM

If it is only a few "drops" of air, its ok.. but if there is quite a bit of air in there, then you can remove it. Just pick the baby up and have him in a position where the air goes up towards his throat which is on the right side when you are looking at him from the back. The air will set there and you can gently put pressure on the crop under it and you will hear a small burp or hiss when the air comes out.

**jayzandra** · 03-03-2007, 12:12 PM

Today I noticed that it was completely full of air. Way more than yesterday. There is a little food in there. Won't it be bad if I make the food come back up too? I tried to push the air out, but it's alot harder than it sounds. I'll try again.

Thanks!

**Finch** · 03-03-2007, 12:13 PM

When the air is on the surface, just do it enough to get the air out and stop when its gone so that the food doesnt come up.

**jayzandra** · 03-03-2007, 01:03 PM

How can I tell it's for sure air and not water? There are some tiny buubles in there. I tried "burping" again and it seemed like I got it out, but then as I watched, it just seemed to fill right back up again.

**Finch** · 03-03-2007, 01:19 PM

You would see it if it was water and it would feel different. If it is lots of tiny bubbles, then it is liquid and you dont need to try to get it out.

**jayzandra** · 03-03-2007, 01:33 PM

O.k. Thankyou.

**NavetG8r** · 03-03-2007, 03:07 PM

Coleen, some babies, for whatever reason, seem to fill their crops with air on their own. I've had some of my babies do it and it was never a problem. The thing you want to watch for is air in the crop and very firm, clumped together food at the bottom of the crop. This could mean sourcrop which is bad. Otherwise, if the food seems to be passing fine then I wouldn't worry about the air. When you were a kid, did you ever have burping contests with your friends? Intentionally swallow air so you could make a good burp? It doesn't hurt you, just makes for a nice burp.