What technique should be used for infants instead of abdominal thrusts?

The appropriate technique to use for infants in cases of choking is chest thrusts, which is included in a broader set of techniques along with back blows. When an infant is choking, it is important to clear the airway without risking injury. Unlike older children and adults, who can safely undergo abdominal thrusts, infants have delicate structures, and those thrusts can cause harm.

Chest thrusts involve placing two fingers just below the nipple line on the infant’s chest and giving quick inward and slightly upward thrusts. This method helps expel the obstruction safely. Back blows, which typically involve striking the infant's back with the heel of the hand, are often used in conjunction with chest thrusts to dislodge the object blocking the airway. Together, these techniques provide an effective means of clearing obstruction without the risks associated with abdominal thrusts on such a vulnerable population.