How many back blows should you deliver to a choking infant?

In the case of a choking infant, the recommended practice is to deliver a series of back blows to help dislodge the object causing the obstruction. The standard procedure involves administering five back blows between the infant's shoulder blades while they are in a face-down position, which is effective in generating enough force to create a cough reflex that can expel the object.

When performing back blows, it's important to maintain proper technique by using the heel of your hand and ensuring that the blows are firm, yet gentle enough not to cause injury. This combination of the correct position and the number of back blows maximizes the chance of successfully clearing the airway and restoring normal breathing. Balancing the effectiveness of the intervention with the safety of the infant is crucial, which is why the guideline specifies five blows as the adequate number to begin the rescue efforts.