How to Perform CPR on Your Newborn

Perform CPR until help arrives.

The American Heart Association developed Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in the early 1960s for physicians. It was introduced to the public as a means to act as first responders in the event of an emergency. The three types of CPR are adult, child and infant; the latter is for anyone who is less than a year old.

Instructions

1. Check the infant for a response, i.e., breathing. If there isn't one, have someone call 911, and begin the CPR process.

2. Put the baby on his back on a firm surface.

3. Open the infant's airway by tilting his forehead back with one hand. Lift his chin with your other hand. Don't tilt his head too far back.

4. Check for signs of life for 10 seconds. Look for movement. Listen and watch the baby's chest for breathing. If there's still no sign of life, begin rescue breaths.

5. Give two gentle rescue breaths by placing your mouth over the baby's mouth and nose. These breaths should be small puffs, not adult-sized breaths. Each breath should last one second. Watch the child's chest as your give the breaths. If air goes in, the infant is not choking. Perform CPR.

6. Give the baby 30 chest compressions. Draw an imaginary line between his nipples. Place 2-3 fingers just below the center of this imaginary line. Compress ½ inch to 1 inch 30 times with the pads of your fingers. Give the compressions at a rate of 100 per minute.

7. Give two more rescue breaths.

8. Repeat 30 compressions, followed by two breaths. Continue this until help arrives.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that you should be able to complete five CPR cycles every two minutes. When the paramedics arrive, they'll ask how long you've been performing CPR, and this can help you remember.

• Babies don't often suffer from heart problems. If you find an unresponsive infant and you notice that your rescue breaths aren't entering the lungs, the baby is most likely choking. In this case, do what you can to clear his airway.

References

• American Heart Association: History
• Baby Center: Infant First Aid for Choking and CPR