CPR For Babies

If your baby or child is unconscious and not breathing, CPR is a crucial technique that can potentially save their life. Remember: The procedure is slightly different for babies (under one) and children (aged one to puberty). Follow the steps below:

For a baby (birth to one):

1. Open their airway by gently tilting back the head and lifting the chin.
2. Give rescue breaths. To do this, place your mouth over their mouth and nose and blow steadily for about one second, until the chest rises. Do this five times.
3. Place two fingers on the centre of their chest and give 30 chest compressions by pressing down about a third of their depth.
4. Give two rescue breaths, followed by 30 chest compressions and continue this cycle for about one minute.
5. Call an ambulance and follow the cycle of rescue breaths and chest compressions until help arrives or until the baby starts to breathe again.

For a child (one to puberty):

1. Open their airway by gently tilting back the head and lifting the chin.
2. Give rescue breaths. To do this, pinch the nose and give rescue breaths by placing your mouth over their mouth and blow until their chest rises. Repeat five times.
3. Place your hand over the centre of the child's chest and lean over. Give 30 chest compressions by pressing down about a third of the depth of the chest.
4. Give two rescue breaths, followed by 30 chest compressions and follow this technique for one minute.
5. Call an ambulance and following the cycle of rescue breaths and chest compressions until help arrives or until the child starts to breathe again.