When giving back blows to an infant, in what position should you hold them?

Choking is one of the most terrifying emergencies that a parent or caregiver can face. Infants, with their natural curiosity and tendency to explore the world with their mouths, are especially vulnerable to choking on food, small objects, or even their own saliva. Knowing how to act quickly and correctly in such situations is vital and could save a life.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the proper technique for giving back blows to a choking infant, ensuring you’re ready to respond swiftly and effectively in an emergency. You’ll learn the correct positioning and step-by-step actions to take when every second counts.

Recognizing Infant Choking

Before taking action, it’s crucial to be able to recognize the signs of choking in an infant. Some common indicators that your baby may be choking include:

• Inability to cry or make noise
• Difficulty breathing or making high-pitched noises
• Turning blue or pale
• Weak or absent coughing
• Appearing panicked or going limp

If your baby is coughing forcefully, encourage them to keep coughing, as this is their body’s natural way of trying to clear the airway. However, if they are silent, gasping, or unable to breathe, you must take action immediately. 

Proper Positioning for Back Blows

When giving back blows to an infant, you should hold them face-down along your forearm, with their head lower than their chest. Support their head by holding their jaw with your hand, ensuring their airway remains open. Rest your forearm on your thigh for stability and keep their mouth and nose clear so expelled objects can exit freely. This position allows gravity to assist in dislodging the object while directing the force of the back blows effectively.

Step-by-Step Positioning:

• Lay the Baby Face-Down: Place the infant face-down along your forearm. Your forearm should support their chest while their chin rests in your palm.
• Keep the Head Lower than the Chest: This uses gravity to help clear the airway.
• Stabilize with Your Thigh: Rest your forearm on your thigh for better control and to prevent dropping the baby in a panic.
• Ensure the Airway is Clear: Make sure the baby’s mouth and nose are unobstructed so the object can exit freely.

Step-by-Step Guide to Giving Back Blows

Once the baby is positioned correctly, follow these steps:

1. Deliver Back Blows: Use the heel of your hand to deliver five firm back blows between the infant’s shoulder blades. These blows should be forceful but controlled, not too light or too heavy.
2. Check for Progress: After the five back blows, check if the object has been cleared. If the infant starts to cry or breathe normally, the airway has likely been opened.
3. If the Object Remains Stuck: If the object is still blocking the airway, proceed to chest thrusts (explained below).
   

Transitioning to Chest Thrusts if Needed

If back blows do not clear the airway, it’s time to switch to chest thrusts. Here’s what to do:

1. Turn the Infant Face-Up: Gently flip the baby onto their back, ensuring their head is still supported.
2. Position Your Fingers: Place two fingers in the center of the infant’s chest, just below the nipple line.
3. Give Chest Thrusts: Push down firmly and quickly, about 1.5 inches deep, performing five chest thrusts.
4. Check the Mouth: After each chest thrust, check for the object but avoid blindly sweeping your finger in the baby’s mouth, as this could push the object further down.
5. Repeat: Continue alternating between back blows and chest thrusts until the object is dislodged, or help arrives.
   

When to Call Emergency Services

It’s very important to act quickly in choking emergencies. However, knowing when to call for professional help is just as important. Some situations require immediate medical attention, even if you are performing back blows and chest thrusts correctly.

Call 911 immediately if:

• The infant becomes unresponsive or turns blue.
• The object is not cleared after repeated attempts.
• The baby becomes limp or stops breathing.

Even if the object is expelled and the baby seems fine, it’s always best to seek medical attention. A doctor can check for any complications, such as airway irritation or residual blockage, to ensure the baby is completely safe. 

Common Mistakes to Avoid

You must know the correct technique to give back blows and you must also know what not to do. Avoid these common mistakes when performing back blows on choking infants. 

1. Shaking or throwing the baby can cause serious injury. Stay calm and handle them gently.
2. The Heimlich maneuver should never be used on an infant. It is only for children over one year old. 
3. Excessive force can do more harm than good. Back blows should be firm yet controlled.
4. Putting fingers in the baby’s mouth can push the object deeper. Let the back blows and chest thrusts do the work. 

Preventing Choking in Infants

While emergencies can happen unexpectedly, there are steps you can take to reduce the likelihood of choking:

• Cut food into small pieces. Especially foods like grapes, hot dogs, and nuts, which are common choking hazards.
• Avoid giving infants hard foods like popcorn, whole nuts, or hard candy.
• Keep small objects out of reach. Items such as coins, buttons, and batteries can pose a choking hazard.
• Supervise meals and playtime closely to ensure the baby doesn’t accidentally choke on something.

Why Infant CPR Training is Essential

Even with the best prevention efforts, choking can still happen. That’s why infant CPR training is an essential skill for every parent, caregiver, and anyone who works with children. By learning the proper techniques, you’ll be prepared to act quickly in a choking emergency and other life-threatening situations. In an infant CPR course, you will learn:

1. How to assess a choking or unresponsive infant
2. The correct method for performing infant CPR
3. How to perform back blows and chest thrusts
4. Hands-on practice to build confidence in an emergency

Get Certified: Infant CPR & Choking Relief Training with Heart Start CPR

At Heart Start CPR, we offer comprehensive training in infant CPR and choking relief. Our courses are taught by experienced instructors who provide hands-on training in a supportive environment. You’ll leave the course with the confidence and skills necessary to respond effectively during an emergency.

Why Choose Heart Start CPR?

• Expert instructors with real-world experience
• Convenient classes in your local area
• Certification to build your confidence and skills

Don’t wait until an emergency happens—get certified today. Enroll in an Infant CPR & Choking Relief Course with Heart Start CPR.

Final Thoughts

Choking emergencies can happen in the blink of an eye, but with the right knowledge and training, you can respond quickly. Knowing how to perform back blows, chest thrusts, and infant CPR can make all the difference in saving a life. Staying calm and following the proper techniques, such as ensuring the right positioning, is crucial in these moments. Getting trained in Infant CPR, you will have the skills and confidence to handle any emergency and protect the little ones in your care. 

While prevention is key, emergencies can still occur, which is why certification in infant CPR is essential for every parent, caregiver, or babysitter.

Have you ever taken an Infant CPR class?