CPR is one of those things that everyone should know how to do—even if everyone hopes they’ll never have to use it. This is especially true for parents and other caregivers, since knowing CPR could save your child or infant’s life.
Unfortunately, adult CPR certification doesn’t automatically qualify you to perform CPR on children or infants, as the procedures are different.
The best way to be fully prepared for an emergency requiring CPR on an infant or child is to take a certification course that is tailored specifically to those age groups. However, we at Infant CPR believe that it is crucial that everyone at least know the basics. Today, we’re sharing the most vital, need-to-know information about how to perform CPR on a child or infant.
How to perform CPR on an infant (ages 0-1)
Here are the five basic steps for quick reference if you find yourself in an emergency situation requiring you to perform CPR on an infant (a child under one year of age).
Step 1: Check for responsiveness.
Gently tap the infant’s foot or shoulder and yell. If the baby is unresponsive, move on to the next step and call 911 immediately.
Step 2: Give 30 chest compressions.
Put the baby on a hard, flat surface. Take 2 fingers and find the center of the chest just below the imaginary line between the nipples. Push down 1/3 the thickness of the chest at a rate of 100/minute. The AHA recommends pushing to the beat of “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees.
Step 3: Open the airway.
Gently tilt the head back, being careful to not tilt it too far.
Step 4: Give 2 breaths.
Cover the mouth and the nose with your mouth, creating a seal, and give 2 gentle breaths, watching to see the chest rise and then release.
Step 5: Continue giving infant CPR until help arrives.
CPR keeps blood flowing to the brain and other vital organs until advanced medical help can take over.
For more comprehensive training for performing CPR on an infant, register for Infant CPR’s online infant CPR class.
How to perform CPR on a child (ages 1-8)
Here are the basic steps for quick reference if you find yourself in an emergency situation requiring you to perform CPR on a child (between 1-8 years of age). These guidelines are based on information provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Step 1: Check for responsiveness.
Shake or tap the child gently. Shout the child’s name or “Are you okay?” If the child is unresponsive and you are alone, move on to the next step. If there is another person with you, tell them to call 911.
Step 2: Give 30 chest compressions.
Place the child on his or her back. (Note: if a spinal injury is possible, two people should move the child, preventing the head and neck from twisting.) Place the heel of the hand on the breastbone, just below the nipples. Keep the child’s head tilted back. Push down 1/3 the thickness of the chest 30 times. The compressions should be fast and hard, without pauses.
Step 3: Open the airway.
Lift the chin and tilt the head back by pressing down on the forehead.
Step 4: Look, listen, and feel for breathing.
Put your ear close to the child’s mouth and nose, with your face pointed toward their chest. This will allow you to hear breath, feel breath on your cheek, or see the chest rise and fall. If the child is not breathing, continue to step 5.
Step 5: Give 2 rescue breaths.
Cover the child’s mouth with your mouth (tightly, creating a seal), and pinch the nose closed. Keeping the chin lifted, give 2 breaths, watching to see the chest rise and then release. Each breath should take about a second.
Step 6: Continue giving CPR (30 chest compressions, 2 breaths, repeat) until help arrives.
If you are alone, give CPR for at least two minutes before stopping to call 911. Once you’ve called 911, continue giving CPR until help arrives.
For more comprehensive training on performing CPR for a young child, register for Infant CPR’s Child CPR class.
Following these simple steps will help you be prepared with the basics of CPR if you are ever in an emergency situation with a child or infant. If you want to be fully prepared, complete a comprehensive training course like those available through Infant CPR. These courses are convenient and thorough, and will increase your confidence as a parent or caregiver. Register today!
CPR is also known as mouth-to-mouth. It's a mix of mouth-to-mouth rescue breaths and chest compressions. A chest compression is when you apply pressure to someone's chest. You do this to keep blood and oxygen flowing in the body. You don't have to do mouth-to-mouth part to save a life, but you must
do the compressions. Stay on the phone. The emergency call operator will guide you on what to do next. They'll give you instructions on how to perform CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) if it's needed. It is crucial to continue CPR until paramedics arrive.Start CPR straight away
Do CPR until help arrives
Important
Even though you are still on the call, ambulance paramedics are on their way to you
Giving CPR to a child aged 1 year and older
1. Open the airway
Open your child’s airway by:
- putting one hand on their forehead
- tilting their head back
- lifting their chin
If you can see an object in their mouth or nose, try to remove it.
2. Give 5 rescue breaths
Give 5 initial rescue breaths. These are short breaths and should be no longer than 1 second each. To do this:
- Pinch their nose.
- Seal your mouth over their mouth.
- Blow steadily and firmly into their mouth.
- Check that their chest rises.
3. Do 30 chest compressions
Do 30 compressions as follows:
- Place your hands on the centre of their chest.
- With the heel of your hand, press up and down one third of the depth of the chest using one or two hands.
Do the compressions at a steady rate, slightly faster than 1 compression a second. Push hard. Push fast.
4. Give 2 breaths after every 30 compressions
After every 30 chest compressions, give 2 breaths.
Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths. Do this until they begin to recover or emergency help arrives.
Giving CPR to babies under 1 year
1. Open the airway
Open your baby's airway:
- Put one hand on their forehead.
- Tilt their head back.
- Lift their chin.
If you can see an object in their mouth or nose, try to remove it.
2. Give 5 rescue breaths
Give 5 initial rescue breaths. Each breath should be no longer than 1 second.
How to give a rescue breath:
- Put your mouth over their mouth and nose.
- Blow steadily and firmly into their mouth for no more than 1 second.
- Check that their chest rises.
3. Do 30 chest compressions
Do 30 chest compressions as follows:
- Place two fingers in the middle of their chest.
- Press down one third of the depth of the chest and release.
- Do 30 of these at a steady rate (slightly faster than one compression a second - push hard, push fast).
4. Give 2 breaths after every 30 compressions
After 30 of these chest compressions, give 2 breaths.
Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths.
Do this until they begin to recover, an automated external defibrillator (AED) is used, or emergency help arrives.
First aid apps
The Irish Red Cross App and St John Ambulance Ireland App have free apps for your phone.
First aid training
Training in how to give basic first aid to babies and children is available.
Organisations that offer this include:
Irish Red Cross
Phone: 01 642 4600
Order of Malta Ireland
Phone: 01 643 0000
St John Ambulance Ireland
Phone: 01 668 8077
CPR training
The Irish Heart Foundation offers certified training in CPR. Find out more about CPR Courses for the General Public.