HealthInfo Canterbury
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.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- St John
- First aid courses
Find and book a first aid course near you.
- 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. December 2016.
SourceReview key: HIFAD-141030
