Infant CPR Tips Every Parent Should Know

When we think of CPR (or Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), most of us probably don’t think about needing to perform it on our babies. And that makes sense, since only about 5% of infants are ever in a situation that requires CPR. 

Changes are, you’ll never have to use CPR for your baby. And we hope you don’t have to. Still, we always like to be overprepared as parents. That’s why we want to help you know exactly what to do if your baby becomes unresponsive.

When is Baby CPR Needed?

Adults usually need CPR after a sudden heart attack or cardiac arrest. Newborns, however, follow a completely different rulebook. For our little ones, CPR is typically needed when oxygen levels drop too low. And this is dangerous because without enough oxygenated blood, breathing slows, and vital organs could lose function.

Be ready to start chest compressions if your baby’s airway is cut off from:

• Choking

• Suffocation

• Drowning

• Asthma

• Allergic reactions

Basically, if it looks like your little one is struggling to breathe, be ready to follow these steps to prevent the situation from escalating.

Step-by-Step Infant CRP Steps

We always recommend getting CPR certified before giving birth. If that’s not an option for you, these steps are a great substitute for keeping your children safe.

1. Check your baby’s responsiveness and airways. Start by tapping your infant’s shoulder and shouting, “Baby, baby, are you okay?” Take 10 seconds to check their breathing and chest movement.

2. Call for help. If you are completely on your own, your hands are tied for a minute. Focus entirely on your baby and do CPR for two full minutes before you stop to grab your phone and call 911. If your partner or anyone else is in the house with you, loudly yell at them to call 911 and go hunt down an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) while you immediately start working on the baby.

3. Start chest compressions. Quickly move your baby to a hard, level surface—the living room floor works best, just avoid a squishy crib mattress. Place two fingers directly in the center of their chest, right along the line between their armpits. Press straight down about an inch and a half, keeping a fast, steady rhythm. You're aiming for 100 compressions every minute (the beat to the song 'Stayin’ Alive' is the perfect guide here). Keep going until you hit 30 compressions.

4. Give rescue breaths. Open their airway by lifting their head and chin. Avoid tilting their head back too far. Cover both their nose and mouth with your mouth to create a tight seal. Deliver 2 gentle breaths, about 1 second each. 

5. Repeat the cycle as long as you need to. Continue the cycle of 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths until help arrives. Stop the cycle if your little one begins breathing normally again. 

If you’d like to become CPR certified, the American Heart Association and the American Red Cross both offer great course options.

Let Our Texas Newborn Specialists Keep Your Baby Safe

When your baby isn’t within your care, you always want to make sure they’re in safe hands. And those hands belong to our nightingales. Our overnight or daytime support services keep your baby safely cared for while you take a much-needed breather, Mama. 

Connect with our team to learn more about our newborn care services and how we fit in with your schedule.