Infant cardio pulmonary resuscitation, also known as Infant CPR, is the emergency treatment given to a victim under 12 months of age who has stopped breathing. Infant CPR consists of chest compression and mouth-to-mouth respiration to allow oxygenated blood to circulate among the heart and brain. Infant CPR can help to save the child's life until more advanced medical treatment can be administered.
Step 1
Shout and tap the infant. Shout and ask if the infant is OK. Tap the infant on his shoulder. This is to check for responsiveness. You want the infant to cry out to you. If he does not make a sound, place him on his back.
Step 2
Check the infant's airway. Look, listen and feel for signs of breathing. Infants usually have short, shallow breaths. If you do not notice signs of breathing, place the infant in the "sniffer's position." The infant should be on his back with his head slightly tilted back as if he is sniffing his nose.
Step 3
Cover the infant's nose and mouth with your mouth to create a seal. Give the baby two short breaths approximately one second long each. Puff gently from your cheeks. Allow the infant to exhale on his own. Check to make sure the infant's chest rises with each breath.
Step 4
Check to see if the infant has a pulse. The brachial artery is located inside the upper arm; place two fingers on the artery for three to five seconds to try to detect a pulse. If there is no pulse, begin chest compressions. Give the infant gentle chest compressions at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. Press down with three fingers in the center of the chest below the nipples.
Step 5
Give the infant five chest compressions, then one breath. Count aloud for the five compressions. Repeat this cycle 20 times before checking again for a pulse or breathing.
Step 6
Call 9-1-1 after you have administered Infant CPR for two minutes. If you are not alone, have someone else immediately call 9-1-1 as you begin Infant CPR. Keep administering Infant CPR until the ambulance arrives. If the infant regains a pulse, but does not begin breathing on his own, give him a rescue breath every three seconds, but discontinue chest compressions.
