When providing care to a conscious infant, what must always be lower than the infant's chest during back blows or chest thrusts?

When providing care to a conscious infant experiencing a choking emergency, it is essential that the infant's head is always lower than the chest during the administration of back blows or chest thrusts. This positioning ensures that gravity aids in dislodging any obstruction from the airway. If the head remains elevated or at the same level as the chest, it can hinder the effectiveness of the back blows or thrusts, making it more difficult to clear the airway.

Lowering the head allows the force of the blows or thrusts to create a downward momentum that can help expel the blockage more effectively. In this situation, the infant is held in a safe and supportive manner while ensuring their safety and comfort throughout the process. The other options, while relevant to the positioning of the infant during care, do not directly influence the effectiveness of the technique in the same critical way as the head position does.