When giving rescue breaths during infant CPR, position the infant's head in a neutral position —slightly extended but not tilted too far back—to keep the airway open without blocking it.

Why Neutral Head Position Matters

This technique ensures the infant's tongue doesn't obstruct the airway, which is shorter and more forward in babies under 1 year old. Guidelines from health authorities like the NHS and American Heart Association stress avoiding over- tilting, as it can close off breathing passages. Lift the chin gently with fingertips (not pressing soft tissues under the chin) while one hand stabilizes the forehead.

Step-by-Step Rescue Breaths

Follow these precise steps for infants (birth to 1 year), always after checking responsiveness and calling emergency services:

  1. Place infant on firm, flat surface : Face up, supporting the head and neck.
  2. Open airway : Neutral head (line from forehead to chin straight), lift chin slightly—nose points toward ceiling like a "sniffing" position.
  1. Seal mouth and nose : Cover both with your mouth (puff cheeks out), give gentle puff for 1 second—watch chest rise like a slow fill.
  1. Two breaths total : Each puff visible chest rise; if not, reposition head and retry. Avoid fast/excessive air.
  1. Cycle with compressions : 30 compressions (2 fingers, 1.5 inches deep, 100-120/min) then 2 breaths; continue till help arrives.

Pro Tip : Imagine a slight "sniffing the air" head tilt—too much hyperextends tiny airways.

Common Myths vs. Facts

Myth| Fact
---|---
Full head-tilt like adults| Use neutral/sniffing for infants to prevent airway collapse 12
Pinch nose separately| Mouth seals over nose + mouth together—no pinching needed 2
Chin press closes mouth fully| Lift chin only; partial mouth closure aids seal but keeps path open 5

Real-World Context & Updates

As of early 2026, no major changes to infant CPR guidelines per recent AHA/NHS reviews—neutral head remains core since 2020 updates. Videos from hospitals (e.g., Nicklaus Children's, UC Davis) reinforce this visually for parents. Trending forums note parents practicing via apps, but experts urge certified training.

TL;DR : Neutral head + chin lift opens airway safely; seal mouth/nose, puff gently 2x per cycle.

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