CPR For Infants: What It Is, When To Give And How To Do It

Understanding the basics of CPR can help you deliver this life-saving procedure accurately.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Priya Thomas, MD Dr. Priya Thomas Dr. Priya ThomasMD insta_icon Specialty: PediatricsExperience: 10 years
Written by Dr Bisny T. Joseph Dr Bisny T. Joseph
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Babies Procedure and Safety Tips for Parents

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CPR is a crucial lifesaving first-aid procedure, which everyone must ideally know. Parents being the first responders, must know how to perform CPR on infants. It is even essential if you know CPR already since CPR for babies is different from the one for adults.

CPR includes giving chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth breathing assistance. As infants differ in their strength, bone density, muscle arrangement, and physiology, the procedure also differs.

Read on to know about CPR and the steps to follow for CPR on infants.

What Is CPR?

CPR or cardiopulmonary resuscitation is an emergency procedure to help a person not responding or who has stopped breathing. It helps deliver oxygen-rich blood to the body tissues and cells when the body cannot do so independently. Infant CPR can be performed in babies up to 12 months of age (1) (2).

  • Chest compressions: Hard and fast pushes on the chest help in blood flow from the heart to the body.
  • Rescue breaths: Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation/breathing helps deliver oxygen to the lungs.

Hence, until medical help arrives or the baby returns to normalcy, CPR can help provide oxygen supply to the brain and other vital organs.

When Is CPR Given To An Infant?

Your baby may need CPR in the following scenarios:

  • Not breathing or gasping for air
  • Not responding to your touch
  • Showing no movement
  • Not waking up
  • Not alert

The following scenarios and events may pause a baby’s breathing, making it imperative to perform CPR (1, 3, 4,5,6):

  1.  Any sudden, serious injury or shock to the body can affect the body’s functional ability. Trauma could result from a fall, animal attack, physical assault, or natural disasters.
  1. Choking: When food, toy, or other small object gets stuck in the airway, children may experience choking. Because of choking, air cannot flow in and out of the lungs properly, and children may have breathing difficulties.
  1. Near drowning or drowning could be a shock for the baby. And drowning may fill water up the lung, making breathing difficult.
  1. Electrical and lightning shocks could occur when an electric current passes through the body and damages the tissues, skin, and major organs, including the heart.
  1. Severe infection: Severe sepsis or septic shock can be some of the causes for the need of CPR among children.
  1. Severe allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. Such reactions may occur due to food (peanuts/nuts/seeds), food additives, insect bites, certain medicines, or vaccines.

What Is The CPR Ratio For An Infant?

One cycle of CPR for an infant comprises 30 compressions followed by two breaths.

In CPR for an infant, if there is one rescuer, the compressions-to-breaths ratio should be 30:2. It means after 30 compressions, they should open the airway and offer two breaths. In the case of two rescuers, one should perform chest compressions while the other should keep the airway open and perform ventilation at a ratio of 15:2 (7).

How Long Does It Take?

The length of CPR depends on the underlying problem or cause and the response time from the medical emergency team.

What Are The Complications Involved While Giving CPR?

Although CPR is a life-saving procedure, it involves a greater risk if it is not carried out correctly or at the right time. In some cases, chest compressions can lead to breakage or fractures in the ribs (1).

What To Consider Before Starting CPR On The Baby?

Before starting CPR on the baby, look for the following (8):

  • Check around for danger: Make sure there is no danger around you and the baby. Move the baby and yourself away from any such danger before performing the CPR.
  • Check for response: Check if the baby responds by calling their name, and squeeze their shoulders.
  • Seek help if the baby is unconscious: If the baby is not responding, breathing, or lying unconscious, then call for medical help immediately.
  • Check baby’s mouth for airway blockages: Check for blockages in the baby’s mouth such as tongue, food, vomit, or blood. You can use the little finger to clear the airway after placing the baby on the back with the head in a neutral position.
  • Check the baby regularly for breathing and responses: Once the blockage is cleared, check for breathing, chest movements, breathing sounds, and breath (air) on your cheeks.

What Are The Steps To Perform CPR On A Baby?

Parents are encouraged to receive proper CPR training. The CPR on the baby includes the following steps (8):

  1. Lay the baby on a flat and firm surface.
  1. Don’t waste time trying to find a pulse. Place two fingers on the breastbone (center of the baby’s chest).
  1. Give the baby 30 fast chest compressions. Press hard so that the chest moves down by approximately 4cm or 1.5in.
  1. Count aloud and deliver about 100-120 chest compressions (two compressions per second) in one minute. See that the chest comes back to the original/initial position between these compressions. This step will ensure the blood reaches the vital organs.
  1. After you have delivered the first 30 compressions, place the palm on your baby’s forehead. Gently tilt the head back by placing two fingers on the chin’s bony part to open the airway.
  1. Next, place your mouth on the baby’s nose and mouth to seal the area and give two breaths. Make sure that each breath you give helps raise the baby’s chest and should not be more than one second in length. However, if the chest does not rise, move the position of the baby’s head, tightly seal the area, and then try giving rescue breaths again.
  1. During the two minutes, give cycles of 30 compressions and two rescue breaths. Repeat the cycle until medical help arrives or the baby regains consciousness or starts breathing. You can perform five cycles of 30 chest compressions and two breaths in two minutes.
  1. If the baby starts breathing again, they may have difficulty breathing or vomit after recovery. The process does not hurt the baby. However, they could have soreness in the chest. Put your baby in the recovery position that will keep the airway clear. In this position, the face should rest on the surface, and the chin should be away from the chest. Make sure there is no blockage or cover near your baby’s mouth and nose.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where do I place AED pads on an infant?

An automated electronic defibrillator (AED) can be used after CPR to help an infant breathe. For infants, use pediatric pads and place one pad on their chest and the other on their back. If pediatric pads are unavailable, use adult pads (9) (10).

2. Is pediatric CPR the same as infant CPR?

Yes. Pediatric CPR and infant CPR are different names for the emergency procedure that helps babies breathe.

3. Should I perform CPR on an infant who is breathing?

No, CPR should only be performed on infants who are not breathing or struggling to breathe. If your baby is unconscious but breathing, do not perform CPR but take them to the nearest hospital.

CPR is the first step that should be carried out when a person becomes unresponsive or has problems with breathing. While you may know the basic steps, you should be more cautious while performing CPR on infants as they are more fragile than adults. So, knowing about the right ratio of CPR on infants and the things to consider before the process is crucial for it to work effectively and successfully. In cases where you may not be confident or require a professional, do not hesitate to call for medical intervention.

Key Pointers

  • CPR is performed when a baby is not showing any movement or not breathing.
  • Before beginning CPR on the newborn, check for responsiveness and any symptoms of danger.

References

1. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Infants; Beth Israel Lahey health Winchester Hospital
2. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Infants; Nationwide Children’s Hospital (2017)
3. Anaphylaxis; Beth Israel Lahey health Winchester Hospital
4. Trauma; Beth Israel Lahey health Winchester Hospital
5. Near-drowning; Beth Israel Lahey health Winchester Hospital
6. Electric burns and injuries; Beth Israel Lahey health Winchester Hospital.
7. Berg M. D.et al.; Part 13: pediatric basic life support: 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care; American Heart Association
8. CPR for babies under 12 months: in pictures; Raising Children Network
9. Automated and External Defribilator for Infants and Children Less Than 8 Years of Age ; Wast Ada.
10. CPR and Automated External Defibrillators (Child, Up to Age 1 Year); Fairview.
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Dr. Priya Thomas
Dr. Priya ThomasMD
Dr. Priya Thomas is a board-certified pediatrician practicing in Alpharetta, Georgia, with over ten years of experience. She grew up in Kerala and completed her undergraduate degree at Georgia State University and Her medical education at Medical College of Georgia.

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