A few weeks ago we went over adult CPR, so today we’re going to focus on infant CPR. If you are ever in a situation where someone needs CPR but you are not sure if they are a child, infant, or adult, always use adult CPR.
Here are the steps for infant CPR:
1) Check for a response. To do this, tap/flick their foot or gently tap their shoulder and call out. If there is no response, have someone call 911 or the local emergency number. If you are alone, start CPR immediately, and then after 2 minutes of CPR, call 911 yourself.
2) Place the baby on her back on a firm, flat surface. Move any clothes or objects that could harm them or you further.
3) Tilt the baby’s head back with one hand and lift the chin slightly with the other hand. Check for signs of breathing for no more than ten seconds. To do this, put your head down next to their mouth. Look to see whether their chest is rising. Listen for breathing sounds. You should be able to feel their breath on their cheek if they are breathing.
4) If you check and they are not breathing, now is the time to start CPR. Put the pads of two or three of your fingers in the center of their chest. Imagine an imaginary line running between their nipples – this is where your fingers should go.
5) With the pads of your fingers on that spot, compress the chest about 1 1/2 inches. Push straight down. Do 30 chest compressions at the rate of 100 per minute. When you complete 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths. To do this, cover the infant’s nose and mouth with your mouth. Gently blow until you see their chest rise. Remember, baby’s lungs are smaller and require less than a full breath to fill them up. Give 2 breaths, each lasting 1 second.
6) Repeat the pattern of 30 compressions and two breaths. If you’re alone with the baby, call 911 or the local emergency number after two minutes of care.
And that’s how infant CPR is done!
