What is a critical aspect of providing rescue breaths to an infant?

Giving small, gentle breaths is essential when providing rescue breaths to an infant for several reasons. Infants have smaller lungs and a delicate airway, so delivering air forcefully can risk damaging their lungs and cause complications such as barotrauma. Instead, gentle breaths ensure that air fills the lungs without overinflation. The goal is to create a slight rise in the infant's chest, indicating that the air is being effectively delivered.

Moreover, because infants are more sensitive to changes in pressure and volume in their respiratory systems, the technique of giving small volumes helps create a more comfortable and effective breathing approach. This method increases the likelihood of successful ventilation while reducing the risk of aspiration or injury to the infant's airway.