CPR, a common abbreviation for the emergency procedure called cardiopulmonary resuscitation, consists of several steps designed to help people who are choking, unconscious or not breathing properly. Infant CPR allows you to aid and revive babies, who can require life-saving intervention for numerous reasons, such as an accident, poisoning or inhaling smoke. Numerous health care organizations, including the National Institutes of Health, advise all parents to learn infant CPR as a precaution. The acronym "ABC" can be used to help you remember the three main steps of infant CPR: airway, breathing and circulation.
Open Airway
The first step focuses on your infant's airway and determining if something -- such as food or a swallowed object, for example -- has blocked it, resulting in choking. Since proper breathing requires an unobstructed airway, you must begin CPR by attempting to remove anything from your infant's airway that could prevent her from breathing correctly if she is choking. Typical signs of choking in infants include coughing, crying, gagging, making strange sounds with an open mouth, and turning blue or red, states BabyCenter. Coughing, crying and gagging often indicate that your infant's airway is only partially obstructed, and letting her continue may help remove the blockage. Otherwise, using the heel of your hand to deliver five firm slaps to your infant's back between her shoulder blades might dislodge the obstruction. If not, using two fingers to rapidly press your baby's chest right beneath her nipples five times may work. However, if the blockage remains in place and/or your baby becomes unconscious, BabyCenter recommends calling 911 promptly and continuing CPR.
Restore Breathing
Also called rescue breathing, the second step in infant CPR focuses on getting your baby to start breathing again by breathing for him, explains KidsHealth. You accomplish this objective by first lifting your baby's chin to gently tilt his head back, which helps his airway open. You then cover your infant's nose and mouth with your mouth and breathe into his mouth twice for about 1 second each time, removing your mouth between breaths to permit the air to flow out. Since infants have smaller lungs than adults, breathing with too much force or speed can damage your baby's lungs or drive air into the wrong area, states BabyCenter. If your infant's chest rises each time you force air into his lungs, his airway is not obstructed. If his chest remains the same after each breath, his airway is blocked and you should call 911 and continue CPR.
Restore Circulation
The third step focuses on helping your baby's blood start circulating again in order to keep her organs functioning properly by providing them with sufficient blood. The procedure involves rapidly pressing your baby's chest below the nipples 30 times with two fingers, immediately after breathing into her mouth twice. Repeat the cycle of breaths and compressions until your baby begins breathing independently or emergency professionals arrive. Restoring circulation with chest compressions does not require confirming your baby has a pulse, and you should never perform chest compressions if your baby is coughing, moving or breathing normally because you could stop her heart from beating, cautions MedlinePlus.
Prevent Brain Damage and Death
Besides causing choking, a blocked airway can also make your infant lose consciousness, according to KidsHealth. Performing CPR quickly when your infant is unconscious or not breathing is extremely important to prevent complications related to an inadequate oxygen supply. As MedlinePlus explains, your baby can suffer permanent brain damage or even die if he receives no oxygen for just 4 minutes.
