How do you check an infant for responsiveness?

To check an infant for responsiveness effectively, gently tapping the infant’s foot and calling their name is a recommended approach. This technique allows you to assess the child's awareness and response without causing distress or harm. Tapping the foot is a non-invasive action that is unlikely to startle the infant, and using their name can help attract the infant’s attention if they are responsive.

This method is also in line with pediatric guidelines for evaluating responsiveness, where it is crucial to use gentle and appropriate techniques given the infant's fragility. If a response occurs, it can be indicative of the infant being awake and aware, guiding the responder on how to proceed.

Other methods, like shaking the infant slightly or calling for help loudly, may not be appropriate as they could be unsafe or overwhelming for the infant, risking injury or undue stress. Similarly, gently touching the head might not be as effective in eliciting a response as the foot tap, which is a standard practice for engaging an infant's attention.