CPR for infants

Alternative names:

rescue breathing, chest compressions - for infants; resuscitation, cardiopulmonary - for infants

First aid:

1. Check for consciousness. Rub the infant's back, nudge or do a sternal rub to check for responsiveness. See if the baby moves or makes a noise.
   
   
2. If there is no response, shout for help.
   
   
3. Place the baby on its back on a hard surface, keeping the back in a straight line, firmly supporting the head and neck. Expose the chest.
   
   
4. Place a pad or rolled towel under the infant's shoulders. Lift the infant's chin while tilting the head back slightly to move the tongue away from the windpipe. Do not overextend the head. If a spinal injury is suspected, pull the jaw forward without moving the head or neck. Don't let the mouth close.
   
   
5. Place your ear close to the infant's mouth and watch for chest movement. For 5 seconds, look, listen, and feel for breathing.
   
   
6. If the infant is not breathing, begin rescue breathing. Maintain the head position and cover the mouth and nose tightly with your mouth. Give 2 slow, gentle puffs.
   
   
7. If the chest does not rise, reposition the head and give 2 more puffs. If the chest still doesn't rise, the child's airway is blocked. Follow instructions for choking (for unconscious infant under 1 year).
   
   
8. If the infant's chest does rise, use one hand to keep the baby's head tilted and with the other hand place 2 fingers on the inside of their upper arm, just above the elbow. Squeeze gently to feel the baby's pulse for five to 10 seconds.
   
   
9. If the baby has a pulse, give 1 breath every 2 seconds. Check the pulse after every 30 breaths. A normal pulse rate for an infant is 100 to 130 per minute.
   
   
10. If the infant has no pulse , begin chest compressions. Maintain the head position and place 2 fingers on the middle of the baby's breastbone, on the anatomically correct nipple line. Quickly press your fingers one-half to one inch into the infant's chest five times. Give the compression in a smooth, rhythmic manner, keeping your fingers on the baby's chest. Take special care to provide firm compressions, but avoid separating the ribs from the breastbone.
    
    
11. Call the local emergency number after you have administered CPR for 1 minute (20 cycles) or, if possible, have someone else make the call as you administer CPR.
    
    
12. Give the infant one breath, followed by five chest compressions. Repeat this sequesnce 10 times. Count aloud as you pump in a fairly rapid rhythm. You should pump roughly one and a half times a second, or about 100 times a minute (Count one and two and...).
    
    
13. Recheck the baby's pulse for five seconds.
    
    
14. Repeat steps 12 and 13 until the infant's pulse resumes or help arrives. If the pulse resumes, go to step 9.

Do not:

• DO NOT give chest compressions if there is a heartbeat; doing so may cause the heart to stop beating.
• DO NOT move the infant's head or neck to check for breathing if a spinal injury is suspected.

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if:

• You are not alone, have one person call the local emergency number while another person begins CPR
• You are alone, shout for help.

Note: If you are trained in CPR, call the local emergency number and administer CPR.

Update Date: 10/08/99

Updated by: adam.com editorial