Infant CPR Basics

⚠️ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This guide provides basic information about infant CPR. It is NOT a substitute for certified first aid training. We strongly recommend all parents and caregivers complete an accredited infant first aid and CPR course in person. In an emergency, always call emergency services immediately.

Knowing infant CPR can save your baby's life in an emergency. While we hope you never need to use these skills, being prepared gives you confidence and the ability to act quickly if something goes wrong. This guide covers the essential steps of infant CPR, choking procedures, and when to call for emergency help.

When to Use Infant CPR

Infant CPR is used when a baby under 12 months old is unresponsive and not breathing normally. You should perform CPR if your baby:

• Is unresponsive (doesn't react when you tap their foot or call their name)
• Is not breathing or only gasping occasionally
• Has no signs of life (no movement, no breathing, no response)
• Has turned blue or very pale

Common situations requiring infant CPR:

• Choking that completely blocks the airway
• Drowning or near-drowning
• Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
• Sudden infant collapse
• Smoke inhalation
• Electric shock

🚨 ALWAYS CALL EMERGENCY SERVICES FIRST: If someone else is present, have them call emergency services immediately while you begin CPR. If you're alone, perform CPR for 2 minutes (about 5 cycles) before calling for help, unless the baby collapsed suddenly (then call first).

Before You Start: Check for Danger

Before approaching an unresponsive baby, quickly assess the situation for safety:

• Check for danger: Make sure the area is safe for you and the baby (no fire, traffic, electrical hazards, etc.)

• Check for response: Gently tap the baby's foot and call their name loudly. Look for any reaction.

• Check for breathing: Look at the chest for movement, listen for breathing sounds, feel for breath on your cheek. Do this for no more than 10 seconds.

Position the baby: If unresponsive and not breathing, place baby on their back on a firm, flat surface

Infant CPR Steps (Under 12 Months)

Infant CPR consists of chest compressions and rescue breaths in a 30:2 ratio (30 compressions followed by 2 breaths).

Step 1: Position Your Hands for Chest Compressions

Two-finger technique (for single rescuer):

• Place baby on their back on a firm, flat surface

• Place two fingers (index and middle finger) in the center of the baby's chest, just below the nipple line

• Position your fingers on the lower half of the breastbone

Keep your fingers straight and firm

Step 2: Perform 30 Chest Compressions

Compression technique:

• Press down firmly about 4 cm (1.5 inches) - approximately one-third of the chest depth
• Push hard and fast at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute (about 2 per second)
• Allow the chest to fully recoil (come back up) between each compression
• Keep your fingers in contact with the chest at all times
• Count out loud: "1, 2, 3, 4, 5..." up to 30

Rhythm tip: The beat of the song "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gees is approximately 100 beats per minute - the perfect pace for compressions.

Step 3: Open the Airway

After 30 compressions, open the baby's airway:

• Place one hand on the baby's forehead
• Place two fingers of your other hand under the bony part of the chin
• Gently tilt the head back slightly (neutral position - don't tilt too far back)
• Lift the chin upward to open the airway

Important: For infants, use a neutral head position. Don't tilt the head back as far as you would for an adult, as this can actually block the airway.

Step 4: Give 2 Rescue Breaths

Rescue breath technique:

• Keep the airway open (head tilted, chin lifted)
• Take a normal breath
• Place your mouth over the baby's mouth AND nose, creating a seal
• Blow gently for about 1 second - just enough to make the chest rise visibly
• Watch the chest fall as air comes out
• Take another breath and give a second rescue breath

Important tips:

• Use gentle breaths - baby's lungs are small

• If the chest doesn't rise, reposition the head and try again

• Don't give more than 2 breaths before returning to compressions

If you can't or won't give rescue breaths, continue with chest compressions only

Step 5: Continue CPR Cycles

Continue the cycle of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths:

• Repeat: 30 compressions, 2 breaths, 30 compressions, 2 breaths
• Continue until:
  • Emergency services arrive and take over
  • The baby starts breathing normally
  • You are too exhausted to continue
  • The scene becomes unsafe
• If you're alone, perform CPR for 2 minutes (about 5 cycles) before stopping to call emergency services

✓ If the baby starts breathing:

• Stop CPR immediately
• Place baby in the recovery position (on their side, supported) - see below
• Continue to monitor breathing closely
• Keep baby warm
• Wait for emergency services to arrive

Recovery Position for Infants

If the baby is breathing but unconscious, place them in the recovery position while waiting for help:

1. Cradle the baby in your arms with their head tilted downward
2. This position prevents the tongue from blocking the airway
3. It also allows any fluid to drain from the mouth
4. Monitor breathing constantly
5. Be ready to start CPR if breathing stops

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Compressions too shallow: You need to compress about 4cm (one-third of chest depth) - this may feel quite firm but is necessary
• Compressions too slow: Aim for 100-120 per minute - faster than you might think
• Not allowing chest recoil: Let the chest come all the way back up between compressions
• Tilting head too far back: Infants need only a slight tilt (neutral position)
• Blowing too hard: Gentle breaths only - just enough to make the chest rise
• Stopping compressions too long: Minimize interruptions between compressions and breaths
• Giving up too soon: Continue CPR until help arrives, even if it takes a while
• Blind finger sweeps: Only remove objects you can clearly see in the mouth

When to Call Emergency Services

Call emergency services (999 in UK, 911 in US, 112 in EU) immediately if:

• Baby is unresponsive and not breathing
• Baby is choking and cannot breathe
• Baby has turned blue or very pale
• Baby has a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes
• Baby has severe difficulty breathing
• Baby has a severe allergic reaction
• Baby has been involved in a serious accident
• You have any serious concerns about baby's condition

What to tell emergency services:

• Your location and phone number
• Baby's age
• What happened
• Baby's current condition
• Whether baby is breathing
• Whether you've started CPR

Stay on the line: The emergency operator can guide you through CPR steps if needed. Don't hang up until told to do so.

After the Emergency

Even if your baby recovers quickly, they should still be checked by a medical professional after:

• Receiving CPR
• A choking incident (even if resolved)
• Any period of not breathing
• Turning blue or losing consciousness

CPR can cause minor injuries like bruising to the chest, which is normal and will heal. The medical team will check for any complications.

⚠️ FINAL REMINDER: This guide is for educational purposes only. It does not replace professional medical advice or certified first aid training. Always call emergency services in a life-threatening situation. Consider taking an accredited infant CPR and first aid course for hands-on practice and certification.