Infant Breathing Problems: A Guide to Safe Management

Abnormal infant breathing requires immediate, calm action.

Steps for Choking/Severe Breathing Difficulty

1. Stay calm: Your composure affects the infant.
2. Position: Face down along your arm, head lower than chest; support head/neck.
3. Back blows: 5 quick blows between shoulder blades with heel of hand.
4. Chest thrusts: If back blows fail, turn face up; 5 quick thrusts with two fingers on lower sternum (1.5 inches deep).
5. Alternate: Repeat cycles of 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until obstruction clears or infant breathes/coughs.
6. Call 911: If no improvement after several cycles.
7. Monitor breathing: Stimulate by rubbing back or patting feet if breathing slow/irregular.
8. Administer oxygen: If available and trained.

These are life-saving measures for emergencies only. Take a certified infant CPR course for proper training.