CPR For Infants   

Infant CPR should be used in the case of a baby under one year of age. If you find an infant in distress, check out the scene for clues to what happened and for any dangerous hazards in the area.

1. Check Responsiveness

If there is any suspicion of a head or neck injury, do not move the baby unless it is absolutely necessary.
Shake the babyīs shoulder, to try and elicit a response If there is no response continue to step two.

2. Shout out for help so that others are aware of the emergency.

Call or have someone else call 911.

3. Roll the infant onto back.

If necessary roll the infant over onto his back. Do this as a unit, do not twist.

4. Open airway

Place your hand on the infantīs forehead and tilt the head back, also place your fingers on the chin and lift. This will make the airway. open.

5. Check for breathing

Place your ear over the infantīs mouths and nose. Look at the infantīs chest to check for breath. Listen and feel for breath. If there is no breathing continue to step 6

6. Give two slow breaths

Keep the head tilted and chin up while you make a seal with your mouth over the infants mouth and nose. Give two slow breaths each lasting one second. Be sure to watch for the chest to rise, and allow for chest deflation after each breath.
If the chest does not rise, try two more breaths again, if this is still unsuccessful suspect that the airway is blocked and perform the Heimlich maneuver.

7. Check for Pulse

Maintain the head tilt with your hand on the infantīs forehead and check the pulse between the elbow and armpit for 5-10 seconds. Only if you can NOT feel a pulse would you start CPR. Never do chest compressions on anyone with a heartbeat.

8. Locate finger positions

Keep hand nearest head on infantīs forehead to maintain head-tilt while you imagine a line connecting the s. Place three fingers on the sternum with your index finger just below the imaginary line. Lift up your index finger and use only the other two fingers for compressions.

9. Give 5 compressions

Do 5 compressions at the rate of 100 per minute, and five in three seconds or less. Count as you push down, "one, two, three, four, five."

10. Give one breath.

Follow the same procedures as in step six except give only one breath.

11. Repeat compression/breathing cycles to continue CPR for one minute, for a total of ten cycles.

12. Recheck Pulse.

Keep one hand on the forehead to maintain head-tilt. Feel for the brachial pulse between the shoulder and elbow on the inside of the arm for 5 seconds, if there is still no pulse go to step 13.

13. Continue with the compression breathing cycles

Check the brachial pulse every few minutes.

14. If your baby ever begins to breathe on his own discontinue CPR.

When the immediate crisis is over, Check the baby over for any injuries or problems they might have.

CPR or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is a lifesaving procedure that has saved many lives. It is a valuable tool that can be preformed in those first crucial minutes of an emergency situation. It takes special training, but it is not very hard to learn. The Red Cross or your local hospital should have classes available in your area.


Disclaimer - The articles in this section are for general information only, and should not be considered as medical advice. Readers should consult their physician and medical care provider for professional medical advice.