What emergency procedure is recommended to aid a conscious infant with a foreign-body airway obstruction?

The recommended procedure for aiding a conscious infant with a foreign-body airway obstruction involves performing a combination of back blows and chest thrusts. This approach is effective for infants because their anatomy and physiology require different techniques than those used for adults or older children.

Back blows are administered to help dislodge the object, utilizing the force of gravity and the natural movement of the baby's body. These should be delivered between the infant's shoulder blades with the heel of the hand while the infant is in a face-down position. Should the obstruction not be resolved, chest thrusts can then be performed while the infant is turned face-up; these are similar to compressions used in CPR but are done with the intent of displacing the obstruction.

Using abdominal thrusts, commonly known as the Heimlich maneuver, is not recommended for infants under one year old because their developmental anatomy makes this technique potentially harmful. Coughing is certainly a natural reflex and can sometimes dislodge a mild obstruction, but when an infant is in distress, immediate intervention with back blows and chest thrusts is warranted, as it allows for more controlled and effective aid. Utilizing a suction device is typically reserved for airway clearance in clinical settings and is not suitable as an immediate first-aid measure for