If a baby (a child one year old or younger) becomes unresponsive and isn’t breathing normally, here’s what to do to keep them alive and how to perform CPR for a baby until help arrives.
Dangers: Check for any danger to you, the baby, or people nearby – things like traffic or live electrical wires. Do what you can to reduce the danger.
Response: Are they responding? Call the baby’s name loudly, and gently squeeze their toes.
Send for help: If you are on your own, and a phone is not readily available, do CPR for about a minute and then call 111 for help. Then, go back to doing CPR as quickly as you can.
Airway: Move the baby’s head into a neutral position and lift their chin. Make sure the baby’s tongue isn’t blocking the airway. If there’s anything in the baby’s mouth, use your finger to sweep it out.
Breathing: Check for normal breathing. Is their chest moving? Listen for air coming from the baby’s nose and mouth. Occasional gasps for air is not breathing normally.
CPR: If the baby is not breathing normally, start CPR.
Defib: If a defibrillator is available attach it and use it, following the instructions on the AED pack. Place one pad on the chest of the baby and the other pad on the back of the baby.
First, do 30 chest compressions (pushes):
Place the baby on a flat surface, or support them on your lap or arm.
Place two fingers of one hand in the centre of their chest, just below an imaginary line between the nipplesPush down hard and fast 30 times. Push down one-third of chest depth.
Then, breathe into the baby 2 times:
Keep the baby’s head in a neutral position with one hand.
Seal your lips around the baby’s mouth and nose.
Gently puff into the baby until you see the chest rise.
Remove your mouth, take a fresh breath, and puff into the baby again.