Tri-State First Aid and CPR

A Step-by-Step Guide to Infant CPR: Essential Skills for Parents

Feb 27, 2025By Steven Fafel
Steven Fafel

Introduction to Infant CPR

As a parent, ensuring the safety and well-being of your child is of utmost importance. One of the critical skills every parent should possess is the ability to perform CPR on an infant. This life-saving technique can make a significant difference in emergency situations. In this guide, we will walk you through a step-by-step process to master infant CPR, helping you feel prepared and confident in case of an emergency.

infant CPR

Understanding the Basics of Infant CPR

CPR, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, is a combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths. For infants, the process is slightly different from adult CPR. Knowing these distinctions is essential since infants are more fragile and require gentle handling. Before starting CPR, check the infant for responsiveness and breathing. If they are not responding or breathing normally, immediately call for emergency assistance and begin CPR.

Step-by-Step Guide to Performing Infant CPR

Performing CPR on an infant involves several crucial steps. Follow these instructions carefully:

  1. Ensure Safety: Make sure the environment is safe before proceeding. Move any potential hazards away from the infant.
  2. Check Responsiveness: Gently tap the infant's foot or flick the bottom of their feet to see if they respond.
  3. Call for Help: If there is no response, call emergency services immediately or ask someone else to do so while you start CPR.
  4. Begin Chest Compressions: Place two fingers just below the nipple line on the center of the chest. Press down about 1.5 inches deep at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
parent giving CPR

Administering Rescue Breaths

After completing 30 chest compressions, it's time to give rescue breaths:

  1. Open the Airway: Gently tilt the infant's head back slightly and lift their chin to open the airway.
  2. Give Rescue Breaths: Cover the infant's mouth and nose with your mouth and give two gentle breaths, each lasting about one second. Watch for chest rise to ensure the breaths are effective.

Repeating the Cycle

Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions followed by two rescue breaths until help arrives or the infant starts breathing normally. It's important to stay calm and focused during this process, even though it can be stressful. Remember that your actions can be life-saving.

emergency response

When to Stop CPR

You should stop performing CPR if:

  • The infant begins breathing on their own.
  • A trained medical professional arrives and takes over.
  • The scene becomes unsafe or you are too exhausted to continue.

Conclusion

Learning infant CPR is an essential skill for every parent. While you hope never to need it, being prepared can make all the difference in an emergency situation. Consider taking a certified infant CPR course to reinforce your knowledge and practice your skills in a controlled environment. Remember, being ready means being empowered to protect your child's life when seconds count.