Still needing to be burped at 11-1/2 mths

Hi everyone. Just thought I’d throw this question out here and see if you have any thoughts on it.

Andrew is 11-1/2 months, has food intolerances (currently under control) and reflux (fine during the days, but not at night). Many of his night wakings can be dealt with by patting him on the back and bouncing up and down until he burps. Sometimes then he arches his back and cries from the afterburn of the reflux (a bit of Mylanta helps) but often he is back asleep once he gives up a couple of burps.

It seems so odd to me that he can’t burp on his own at this age. He does OK with it during the day – but at night he wakes every couple of hours from pain, then burps (with my vigorous help) and then he’s back to sleep until it starts again. He sleeps inclined and always rolls over and sleeps on his belly.

Any thoughts as to why an 11 mth old baby can’t burp when asleep?

Thanks, Dianne