What should you do after giving 5 back slaps to a choking infant?

After giving 5 back slaps to a choking infant, the appropriate course of action is to turn the infant onto their back and give chest thrusts. This step is essential because, in infants, the airway can quickly become obstructed by a foreign object, and back slaps alone may not effectively dislodge it.

Turning the infant over allows you to apply chest thrusts, which are more effective at creating the necessary pressure to expel the object. Chest thrusts should be administered in a controlled manner, using two to three fingers placed just below the breastbone, compressing downwards. This technique helps to increase intra-thoracic pressure, facilitating the removal of the obstruction.

Taking this immediate action helps alleviate the life-threatening situation by attempting to clear the blocked airway quickly, which is crucial in choking emergencies. Other options may not provide the necessary intervention required for a choking infant.