Stable lateral position for children – prone position for babies
Normally, unconscious children are placed in the stable side position. For babies, you should also familiarize yourself with the tummy position. This first aid measure is very important in an emergency. Because when your child is unconscious, their muscles relax and they risk choking on their own tongue.
Babies lie on their stomach instead of on their side
The prone position allows your child to continue to breathe freely. If vomiting occurs, the vomit can drain away, reducing the risk of choking.
This is how the prone position works
Your child should lie on their stomach on a warm surface. Then you have to turn his head to the side and tilt it back slightly. It is also important to open your child’s mouth.
The stable lateral position
- For the stable lateral position, you must first lay your child on its back. Then you lift it at waist height and push its left arm, stretched out, under the body. Put the right one up at head height.
- Then take your left leg and bend it.
- Then turn your child onto their left side so that their bent leg is down.
- The right arm is now bent at head level in front of your child’s face. Now you also have to bend your left arm so that your child can find support in this position.
- Finally, bend your child’s head backwards and turn their face slightly downwards. Now put your right hand under his cheek, so his head stays stretched.
For a few years there has been a completely new lateral position, which was invented because it is easier to remember. Warning: the versions of the lateral position taught up to 2006 are just as appropriate and not wrong!
Nowadays, the unconscious child is actually only turned on its side. An arm is no longer pushed under. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter which leg you bend. When bent, both legs are suitable for stabilizing the child in the side position. And since lying on your side is about vomit, the mouth should still be opened. Stomach contents can drain freely from an open mouth.
Learn stable lateral position in the first aid course
These instructions are NOT a substitute for a first aid course , you should be aware of that. Check the MomaSquad local section for classes near you.
Baden-Württemberg: 0761/19 240
Bavaria: 089/19 240
Berlin: 030/19 240
Brandenburg: 030/19 240
Bremen: 0551/19 240
Hamburg: 0551/19 240
Hesse: 06131/19 240
Mecklenburg-West Pomerania: 0361/ 730 730
Lower Saxony: 0551/19 240
North Rhine-Westphalia: 0228/19 240
Rhineland-Palatinate: 06131/19 240
Saarland: 06841/19 240
Saxony: 0361/730 730
Saxony-Anhalt: 0361/730 730
Schleswig-Holstein: 0551/ 19 240
Thuringia: 0361/730 73