When opening an infant's airway to provide rescue breaths, how should the head be positioned?

The correct approach for opening an infant's airway to provide rescue breaths is to position the head in a neutral "sniffing" position. This specific positioning is important because it helps to align the airway for optimal airflow. In infants, the anatomy of the airway is different from that of adults; the trachea is shorter and more prone to obstruction. By placing the head in a neutral position, you ensure that the airway remains open without compressing the soft tissues in the neck, which could lead to airway obstruction and make it difficult for rescue breaths to be effective.

When performing rescue breaths, maintaining this neutral position allows the airway structures—like the tongue and soft palate—to be in alignment, facilitating a clear path for air to enter the lungs. This technique is essential for effective ventilation, especially in infants, who are more vulnerable to airway blockages compared to older children and adults.