Which of the following is the best method to establish the airway in a newborn infant?

• A. hyperextend the head
• B. slightly extend the head
• C. use chin lift to extend the head
• D. use the jaw thrust

Answer: (B)

In a newborn, airway patency is best achieved with a neutral head position and a touch of extension to straighten the airway without overdoing it. The large, relatively flat occiput of infants makes full hyperextension uncomfortable for the airway and can actually worsen obstruction as soft tissues and the tongue may shift back toward the airway. A slight extension lifts the tongue off the back of the throat and aligns the oral, pharyngeal, and laryngeal axes, making bag‑mask ventilation and subsequent airway management easier and more reliable.

That’s why slightly extending the head is preferred. The other maneuvers are less optimal for establishing the airway in a healthy newborn: excessive extension can trap the airway in obstruction, while chin lift or jaw thrust are more situational—chin lift is useful in non-traumatic scenarios but may not provide as consistent an airway alignment in neonates, and jaw thrust is typically reserved for suspected cervical spine injury or when you need to maintain airway patency with less head movement.