Burping -- Obnoxious Toddler Behavior

on April 17, 2009 at 2:02 PM

obnoxious burping

If this was Cafe Suzanne's channel, I'd be talking about how great it is that my daughter burps all the time. When you're a baby, ejecting uncomfortable gas on a regular basis is a very good thing.

But my daughter is 4, well beyond the baby bottle stage, and she and some other friends at school have recently discovered how to manually induce burps.

And now life has become a burpfest. She belches all the time -- at the dinner table, in her brother's face (who joins right in), in my face, in her friends' faces. They have burping contests to see who can create the funniest, loudest, or longest burp.

Ironically, her preschool teacher has been spending the past couple of weeks on the human body. She's learning how her body functions and all the interesting things it can do.

But her recent burping obsession is gross and I want her to stop. She'll usually oblige me, but I know the game continues when mama isn't around. I want her to realize that burping done naturally is acceptable, but otherwise it's rude and un-ladylike, so I've asked MrsManners to tackle this one in her Tuesday column. Stay tuned ...

Does your toddler burp on purpose? Are you as bothered by it as I am?

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: discipline, girls

Comments (10)

roachiesmom

on Apr 17, 2009 at 3:01 PM

When she was around that age, my daughter could burp the alphabet. She was quite popular with all the K-4 boys because of this impressive ability. Now I personally do not believe in bodily functions, and when they occur, they shouldn't be acknowledged (in the south, where people will throw down with you if you don't acknowledge their sneezing, this is very difficult, too.) I picked my battles with her and tuned her out in burping-allowed areas. I'm really good at tuning out things that annoy me, because there are so many. I mean, really, I don't care about the burping, as long as people don't insist it be talked about. Just do it and move on.

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Lanasmom

on Apr 17, 2009 at 3:07 PM

My niece does this--shes 3 and she learnt it from her brother --it irritates me to no end.--I just tell her at our house, you don't do that--especially at the dinner table.

ShannieP

on Apr 17, 2009 at 4:16 PM

I've got one for you. SOMEONE (not sure who) taught my daughter to say "Oh, I've got a piggy in my butt!" or "Oh, Ive got a piggy in my mouth, oink oink" whenever she releases gas!

mom2mads

on Apr 17, 2009 at 6:24 PM

We didn't have trouble with burping when she was a toddler, our trouble was swearing! When Maddie was 2 she would cuss like a sailor! She delighted in doing it because we would freak out (and yes, unfortunately, she must have heard those words from us! we tried to be more careful after that!)

AnitaVersion2.0

on Apr 17, 2009 at 6:36 PM

I would just explain to her that, while she thinks it's funny, there is a time and place for everything including deliberate burping. Then specify a time and place. Give her an acceptable outlet. Eventually she'll get bored with it.

first-one

on Apr 17, 2009 at 11:38 PM

Ok really, how can you not believe in bodily functions? I'm quite sure you've never, ever had to burp or fart. That being said I totally agree AnitaVersion. Let her have an outlet and as soon as she realizes that it doesn't get you as worked up, she'll get bored.

lilmamma67

on Apr 20, 2009 at 9:02 AM

Yes I have 6 year old twins 1 boy 1 girl well my daughter burps like this but she is so loud with it she sounds like a man doing it and it bothers me so much I think it's nasty and I just dont understand how such small children can burp so loud like they are grown.

MrsManners

on Apr 20, 2009 at 3:38 PM

lilmamma67 does your daughter drink any carbonated beverages? That will surely cause her to have big person burps.

Nonmember comment from Emily

on Sep 10, 2009 at 10:57 PM

My MIL taught my 2-year-old son to intentionally burp while she was sitting him a few days ago. She knew I would not approve. In fact, she does it first and he imitates her. It's disgusting. I asked her not do it anymore and she laughed and did it again. I'm mortified that she is teaching my son bad behaviors. Unfortunately, my husband thinks this is perfectly acceptable and thinks I have no sense of humor. I have no idea what to do. A 2-year-old doesn't know the boundaries of when it is acceptable and when it isn't... I hate to send him mixed messages with me discouraging and my MIL and husband encouraging...

Nonmember comment from Christine

on Oct 11, 2010 at 9:21 PM

My daughter burps quite a bit (to be honest both her mommy and daddy are quite gassy too!) I just quickly taught her to say excuse me when she burps. Even though she does not burp on purpose, she does burp like a man...and then something about hearing this sweet little voice say excuse me just makes it endearing (at least to me :)