Final answer:
In newborn CPR, pressure should be applied to the lower third of the sternum, using two fingers or two thumbs, with compression depth of 1.5 inches at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute.
Step-by-step explanation:
When performing compressions on a newborn during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), pressure should be applied to the lower third of the sternum. To avoid damage to the newborn's fragile chest, CPR on infants employs a technique involving two fingers for chest compressions, or alternatively using two thumbs.
The correct area to apply pressure is between the line at T4 and T9 of the infant's thorax, which is roughly the center of the chest below the nipple line. Compressions should be at least one third the depth of the chest, approximately 1.5 inches (4 cm) deep, and at a rate of at least 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
This process manually pumps blood through the heart to the rest of the body, which is crucial for maintaining circulation, especially to the brain, to prevent irreversible damage due to lack of oxygen.