Give CPR to an Infant

In other tutorials, we have discussed how to give cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to adults and children over one-year old. In this tutorial, we will explain how you can perform CPR, if needed, on infants under one-year old.

Before beginning, try to get a response or movement from the baby. Touch but do not shake the baby. If the baby has an airway obstruction, clear the airway obstruction by performing first aid procedures for choking. If you are not sure if the baby is breathing, you may need to give CPR. If someone else is with you, have him or her contact emergency services. If you are alone, you may want to complete about five CPR cycles before contacting emergency services. The same chest compression, airway opening, and breathing procedures should be used both with adults and children but with some notable differences.

The baby should be lying on his or her back on a flat and firm surface such as a table or the floor. Place two fingers of one of your hands at the center of the baby's chest. Gently give 30 chest compressions at a rate of about 100 compressions per minute. After this set of chest compressions has been finished, open the baby's airway.

As with adults and children, you will need to open up the baby's airway in the same manner: by placing one palm gently on the baby's forehead and using your other hand to lift the baby's chin forward. As with adults and children, you will need to lean down and turn your head to look at the baby's chest. This position allows you to feel, hear and watch for breathing or movement. This step should take no more than 10 seconds to be completed. Prepare to give two breaths by lightly pinching the baby's nose with one hand and using the other hand to open the baby's mouth.

Cover the baby's mouth and nose with your mouth and prepare to give two gentle and steady breaths. Watch for movement of the chest in between the breaths as well as during the breaths to make sure the baby's chest rises. If the baby's chest does not rise, perform the steps for opening the airway and repeat the breathing process. 30 chest compressions and two breaths are considered to be a complete CPR cycle. CPR should be continued in the same order of steps until you see signs of normal breathing or movement or until emergency services arrives.

The guidelines above describe how to perform CPR on an infant under one year of age. The best thing you can do is look in your area for a CPR certification course. Completing a course will give you the knowledge, practice, and confidence you need to assist others in a life-threatening emergency.

This is a user generated article, and is not intended as medical advice or instruction. If you are interested in CPR, and especially infant CPR, make an appointment and take a course to obtain proper certification.

1. Mayo Clinic: http://www.mayoclinic.org/first-aid/first-aid-cpr/basics/art-20056600

2. NHS: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Accidents-and-first-aid/Pages/CPR.aspx

See other medical tutorials: Recognize a Seizure, Give First Aid, Treat Alcohol Poisoning, and Call an Ambulance.

If you have problems with any of the steps in this article, please ask a question for more help, or post in the comments section below.

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