HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
CPR (resuscitation) for babies (0 to 1 year)
This page gives simple instructions on what to do if a baby aged under 1 has stopped breathing. For children over 1, follow the information in CPR for adults & children. If anyone else is there, ask them to help.
CPR stands for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. It involves pushing on their chest and blowing air into their mouth to try to restart their heart and get them breathing on their own again.
Basic resuscitation for a baby – remember DRs, ABC
D – Dangers |
Check the area is safe before you approach. If it's not safe, don't continue. Wait for help. |
R – Responsive |
Shout their name and squeeze their toes. If they don't respond, continue. If they do respond put them on their side, in the recovery position, and wait with them for help. |
s – Send for help |
If no one has called for help yet, ask someone to call 111. Tell them to let you know when they have. If you are alone, do steps A, B, and C below before calling for help. |
A – Airway |
Open their airway by tilting their head back and lifting their chin. |
B – Breathing |
Check the baby is breathing. If they are, hold them in the recovery position. If they're not breathing, start CPR. |
C – CPR |
Start CPR. Give two breaths followed by 15 compressions. To do a compression, place two fingers in the centre of their chest. Push hard and fast. If you are alone, do two breaths followed by 15 chest compressions. Then stop and call 111. |
Continue CPR until you get a response or the baby starts breathing normally again.
GoodSAM app
St John has a system that can notify a person who knows how to perform CPR and use an AED that someone nearby needs their help. It uses the free GoodSAM app.
If you know how to perform CPR and use an AED, and are prepared to voluntarily respond to a patient suspected to be in cardiac arrest, consider signing up as a responder.
For more information see GoodSAM on St John's website or this poster. Both tell you how to sign up as a responder and download the app.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- St John
- First aid courses
Find and book a first aid course near you.
- St John CPR mobile application
You can get a free St John CPR mobile application from the iTunes store, the Google Play store, or WindowsPhone.com.
- First aid courses
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed May 2018.
SourceReview key: HIFAD-141030
