How should you position a newborn to open the airway during resuscitation?

Positioning a newborn correctly is essential for ensuring that their airway is open during resuscitation. Placing the newborn in a supine position, which means lying flat on their back, with the head tilted slightly back helps to maintain an unobstructed airway. This positioning aligns the airway structures of the newborn effectively, reducing the risk of airway obstruction.

When the head is tilted back gently, it opens the airway by allowing the base of the tongue to move forward and prevent it from obstructing the airway passage. For newborns, whose airways are typically more prone to obstruction due to their smaller size and anatomical features, this optimal positioning is crucial.

Other positions, such as lying the newborn on their side or sitting upright, may not provide the necessary alignment and could compromise airway patency. In the prone position, there is also a risk of airway obstruction, especially if the face is placed against the surface. Therefore, a supine position with a slight head tilt is the most effective approach during resuscitation to ensure the newborn’s airway remains open and clear.