Learn CPR before you need it. See below for links to CPR courses.
This page talks you through CPR for babies under 12 months. See the page on CPR for children over 12 months to learn the steps for older children.
Emergencies - CPR For Children Over 12 Months
How to do CPR for babies under 12 months
Check for any danger to you, the baby, or people nearby. Do what you can to reduce the danger.
Check the baby for a response. Talk loudly and gently squeeze the baby's shoulder. See if the baby moves or cries.
Tilt the baby's head back and lift their chin. This will help open their airway.
If you can see anything obvious in the mouth, like food, use a finger to sweep it out.
Check for breathing. Listen and feel for air coming out of their mouth or nose.
If you are worried the baby is not breathing - start CPR.
Put the baby on their back, on a firm surface.
Place 2 fingers of one hand in the centre of the chest just below the nipples. Start chest compressions at a rate of 100 per minute.
Once you have completed 30 compressions, seal your lips around the baby's mouth and nose and give 2 breaths.
Keep giving 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths until help arrives.
If there is an AED nearby, attach it to the baby as soon as possible. Turn it on and follow the instructions on the AED. The defibrillator will talk to you.
Place one pad on the chest and the other pad on the back of the baby.
Return to CPR (step 6) and keep going until the baby starts breathing normally, or help arrives.
Dr Tony Smith, St John medical director, demonstrates how to perform CPR on infants.
Source: Hato Hone | St John New Zealand
transcribeTranscript
[Dr. Tony Smith, St John Medical Director]
In this demonstration, I'm going to show you how to do CPR on an infant.
Before you do anything, make sure an ambulance has been called and nobody is in danger.
You push on the chest 30 times and blow in the mouth twice.
Remember this 30 to 2, no matter who.
Now let's have a go. To push on the chest, put 2 fingers in the middle of the chest and push fast, 30 times.
… 28, 29, 30.
Now blow twice in the mouth and nose. Tilt the head and place your mouth over the infant's mouth and nose and blow
twice.
Now back on the chest 30 times.
… 28, 29, 30.
Remember 30 to 2, no matter who.
Keep doing this until the ambulance arrives.
If you don't know how fast to push, you need to push at 100 a minute and the beat of the Bee Gees song "Stayin Alive" is exactly 100 a minute so get that song in your mind.
More information and courses
Learn how to do CPR (rescue breathing and chest compressions).
Book first aid courses at Hato Hone St John
See all first aid courses run by NZ Red Cross
AED Locations maps publicly available AEDs across Aotearoa New Zealand. Use the website to find AEDs near you and become familiar with where they are before an emergency happens.
Acknowledgements
Illustrations by Dr Greta File. Property of KidsHealth.
References
