Positions to help your child cough up mucus
Positions to help your child cough up mucus
Hand position for percussion
Form a "cup" with your hand. Start with a flat hand. Bend your hand slightly at your knuckles, and keep your index finger and thumb together. Use this hand position for percussion to help clear mucus.
Position for draining upper lobes (back)
For infants: Lean back slightly (about 30 degrees) while resting your child's belly against your chest. Hold your child around the bottom to keep them steady. With the other arm, gently clap (percuss) between the spine and shoulder blade of the upper back. Clap for 1 to 3 minutes, depending on how much your child needs. Repeat on the other side of the spine.
For toddlers and older: Have your child lean forward slightly (about 30 degrees) on a pillow. Gently clap between the spine and shoulder blade of the upper back. Clap for 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat on the other side of the spine.
Position for draining upper lobes (front)
For infants: Lean back slightly (about 30 degrees) while resting your child's back on your chest. Hold your child around the waist with one arm to keep them steady. With the other arm, gently clap between the collarbone and nipple. Clap for 1 to 3 minutes. Repeat on the other side of the chest.
For toddlers and older: Have your child lean back slightly (about 30 degrees) on a pillow. Gently clap between the collarbone and nipple. Clap for 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat on the other side of the chest.
Position for draining lower lobes (sides)
For infants: Lay your child on their side, on your lap. Keep your child's head and upper body flat. To avoid reflux, do not place your child in a head-down position. Hold your child steady with one hand. With the other hand, gently clap below the armpit. Clap for 1 to 3 minutes. Repeat on the other side.
For toddlers and older: Have your child lie on their side. Gently clap below the armpit. Clap for 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat on the other side.
Position for draining lower lobes (back)
For infants: Lay your child on their stomach, on your lap. Keep your child's head and upper body flat. To avoid reflux, do not place your child in a head-down position. Hold your child steady with one hand. With the other hand, gently clap over the lower ribs. Clap for 1 to 3 minutes. Repeat on the other side of the back.
For toddlers and older: Have your child lie on their stomach. Gently clap over the lower ribs. Clap for 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat on the other side of the back.
Position for draining lower lobes (front)
For infants: Lay your child on their back, on your lap. Keep your child's head and upper body flat. Hold your child steady with one hand. With the other hand, gently clap on the front of the chest and just below the nipple. Clap for 1 to 3 minutes. Repeat on the other side of the chest.
For toddlers and older: Have your child lay on their back. Gently clap on the front of the chest and just below the nipple. Clap for 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat on the other side of the chest. If your child has developing breasts, put the heel of your hand under the armpit and clap with the fingers beneath the breast.
Current as of: May 1, 2026
Author: WebMD Ignite Staff
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