How Do You Perform CPR on Infants (Newborn to 1 year)?
Arrive on the scene: Check the scene for safety.
Check the infant for consciousness. Gently tap the shoulder or flick the bottom of their heel and shout.
No Response
Call 911 immediately.
If the infant is lying on their stomach, turn them over onto their back. They should be lying on a hard flat surface.
Check for Breathing and Signs of Life
Watch their chest for any normal movement. Look for signs of life and breathing for no more than 10 seconds.
No Breathing or Signs of Life
Begin CPR:
- Position two or three fingers on the center of the infant’s breastbone, just below the nipple line.
- Compress the chest 1½ inches in depth 30 times.
- After giving compressions, give breaths. Tilt the infant's head back slightly, using one hand on the forehead and lifting up on the infant's chin with two fingers of your other hand. Cover both the infant’s nose and mouth with your mouth and give two small slow breaths, watching for the infant’s chest to rise.
- Continue with 30 compressions / 2 breaths, 30 compressions / 2 breaths, etc.
Continue CPR until another rescuer takes over, you see signs of life or help arrives.
Education Opportunities
The Center for Simulation and Research at Cincinnati Children’s offers CPR classes for patient families. Call 513-636-1096 for more information or to sign up for a class.
