To assess the brachial pulse of an infant , place the baby on their back, gently extend one arm, and use two fingers (not your thumb) to feel for a pulse on the inside of the upper arm, between the shoulder and elbow, then count the beats. This is the preferred site for pulse checks in infants under 1 year because it is easier to feel than other arteries in small babies.

Step‑by‑step technique

  • Lay the infant flat on their back on a firm surface so the body is stable and relaxed.
  • Gently straighten or slightly bend the infant’s arm so the hand is near the head or out to the side, exposing the inner upper arm.
  • With the arm supported, locate the area on the inner upper arm , midway between the shoulder and the elbow, in the groove between the biceps and triceps.

Finger placement and pressure

  • Use the tips of your index and middle fingers; avoid using your thumb because your thumb has its own pulse that can confuse your reading.
  • Press lightly but steadily into the groove on the inside of the upper arm until you feel a soft, rhythmic beat; pressing too hard can occlude the artery and make the pulse disappear.
  • If you do not feel a pulse, slightly adjust finger position (a few millimeters at a time) and pressure while keeping the arm still.

How to count the pulse

  • Once the pulse is felt, count the beats for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get beats per minute; this is a standard quick method for infant heart rate checks.
  • Ensure the infant is as calm as possible, since crying or agitation can increase heart rate significantly.
  • Normal resting heart rate ranges are higher in infants than in adults, so any concerns about very fast, very slow, or irregular pulses should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Why the brachial pulse is used

  • In infants under 12 months, the brachial artery is the most reliable peripheral site for pulse assessment because it is relatively superficial and not obscured by thick muscle or fat.
  • For infant CPR and emergency assessment, guidelines commonly recommend the brachial pulse as the preferred site to check for circulation, as it is easier to access than carotid or radial pulses in this age group.

Safety notes

  • If you cannot confidently feel a pulse in a collapsed or unresponsive infant within 10 seconds, follow your local emergency and CPR guidelines and seek immediate medical help.
  • Instruction from certified infant CPR or pediatric first‑aid courses is strongly recommended so caregivers can practice this skill on manikins before an actual emergency.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.