Infant and child CPR is an essential skill for families, caregivers, health care professionals and educators. The American Red Cross has more than 90 years of experience in providing training and outreach programs in a variety of emergency situations, along with specialized infant CPR training. Backed by the most current scientific research in emergency resuscitation, the American Red Cross can offer training to meet the needs of families, professionals and communities.
Why the Red Cross?
The course options are convenient and time-efficient, one-day formats. Classes can be delivered on site at your work site, community center, hospital or at your local Red Cross branch. The cost of training is reasonable and inclusive of study materials. Because the Red Cross is a nonprofit agency, a portion of the CPR training fee goes back to fortifying efforts in the community where needed via Red Cross programs. A nationwide database of certified CPR responders is maintained by the Red Cross to ensure authenticity and consistency in tracking qualified responders. For specific details on classes in your area, check the website.
Training Options
The Red Cross offers three types of courses involving children: a 4 1/2-hour course combining infant and child CPR for care of minors 12 and younger; an infant-only course for babies younger than 1 year old lasting 3 3/4 hours; and a child-only class for the care of children from 1 to 12 years old, also lasting 3 3/4 hours. There's a training option available for all age group requirements.
What to Expect
After completing your selected training, you should be able to recognize an emergency situation. Other important skills include ways to protect your self from disease transmission and other potential risks of administering CPR; emergency action steps; responding to a choking child; and prioritizing care. Upon successful completion of your Red Cross training, you're awarded a certification in CPR specifically for infants and children.
Basic CPR Guidelines
If your child becomes unconscious or shows no sign of breathing, CPR may be needed. Check the baby for signs of consciousness by flicking her foot or attempting to rouse her. If she doesn't respond and you are not alone, have someone call 911. If you are alone, administer two minutes of CPR before leaving the child to call 911.
Place him on a firm surface, face-up. Open the airway by tilting the head back with one hand under the chin to lift the head. Check for signs of life. You should be able to feel breath on your cheek no matter how faint. If there is no sign of breathing, give two rescue breaths by covering the baby's nose and mouth with your mouth. You should be able to see the chest rise when administering rescue breaths. Rescue breathing should be short and shallow; a baby's lungs are much smaller than an adult's and breathing too forcefully can be damaging. If the chest rises and breath goes in, administer two rescue breaths and check for a response. If there is no pulse, begin 30 compressions and two rescue breaths at a rate of about 100 compressions per minute. To perform chest compressions, place the pads of your middle and ring fingers between the imaginary nipple line on the child's chest. Compressions should be half an inch to inch in depth. If you're alone, continue until 911 arrives or the baby is responsive.
Basic Guidelines for a Choking Infant
The ability to specifically respond to the needs of a child in an emergency is critical in saving lives. Infants and toddlers are at great risk of choking. The first step is to assess the situation. If the baby is unable to cry or cough, there could be something lodged in her throat. If the child is able to cough, let her continue coughing. It's the best way to release the object from the baby's throat. If the baby is unable to cough, back blows and chest thrusts taught in class can release the object. Position the baby face-down over your forearm with your arm supporting the head and neck, and rest your arm by holding the baby on your thigh for support. The baby's head should be lower than the body.
Using the heel of the opposite hand, give five back blows between the shoulder blades to loosen the object. With the hand that delivered the blows, turn over the baby so she faces upright, keeping the head lower than the feet. Using two to three fingers, place them on the baby's chest between the nipple line. Push straight down about half an inch to administer a chest thrust. Repeat this five times. Continue the sequence of five back blows and five chest thrusts until the object is dislodged and the baby is able to cough.
