CPR and Rescue Breathing for Infants(Ages newborn to 1 year)
1. Check for consciousness.
a. Gently tap the shoulder or flick the bottom of the heel and shout.
No Response
2. Call 911.
3. Check for breathing.
a. If the infant is lying on his stomach, turn him over onto his back.
b. Tilt the infant's head back, slightly, using the palm of one hand on the forehead. At the same time, lift up on the infant's chin with two fingers of your other hand.
c. Put your ear close to the infant's nose and mouth and watch his chest for any movement. Look, listen and feel for breathing for 10 seconds.
No Breathing
a. Keep the head tilted back. Place your mouth over the baby's nose and mouth. Give 2 slow, gentle breaths--just enough to see the baby's chest rise.
Breaths Go In
Check for Breathing and a Pulse:
a. With two fingers, feel for a pulse on the inside of the baby's upper arm. At the same time, look for signs of life and breathing for 10 seconds.
Pulse But No Breathing
Begin Rescue Breathing:
a. Tilt the head back. Lift the chin. Place your mouth over the baby's mouth and nose. Give one slow, gentle breath every 3 seconds (count 1-1000, 2-1000, breathe. etc.).
b. Recheck for signs of life every 2 minutes.
No Pulse, No Breathing
Begin CPR:
a. Position 2 or 3 fingers on the center of the breastbone, just below the nipple line. Keep your upper hand on the forehead to maintain an open airway.
b. Compress the chest 1/2 an inch in depth 30 times. Give 2 breathes (continue with 30 compressions/2 breathes, 30 compressions/2 breathes, etc.).
Continue CPR until another rescuer takes over, you see signs of life or help arrives.
(Please note you no longer check the pulse once you start CPR.)
If you are alone, provide two minutes of care before calling 911, then resume care until help arrives.
Contact Us
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
Rev. 11/06
