Basic Infant CPR Guidelines

Infant CPR is not something any parent wants to do but it is necessary at times. Infants are always at risk, they can easily choke on food or toys. Infants can drown in inch deep water while bathing so knowing infant CPR is crucial for parents. The best way to learn infant CPR is to attend an on-site class and practice CPR techniques. Here are a few basic infant CPR techniques that will help overcome an unwanted situation in case of an emergency:

· In case of any emergency before you start administering infant CPR check your child’s condition- see if he/she is conscious. If the baby is unconscious then start CPR and make sure that someone calls 911. In case your child has got injured then try to stop the bleeding first. Apply pressure on the bleeding place. Unless the bleeding stops don’t start CPR as it can make the situation worse.

· Check if your baby is breathing. If he/she is not breathing you need to open the airway. To do so place your child on a flat surface; gently tilt the head backwards with one hand and lift the chin with the other hand. Next place your head near his/her mouth and look towards the baby’s feet. Notice if the chest of the infant is rising- this means that he/she is still breathing. Moreover you will be able to feel the air on your cheek and hear faint sounds of breathing.

· In case your child has stopped breathing you should give her/him two gentle breaths. Cover your baby’s mouth and nose with your mouth and mildly exhale. Remember to exhale gently as compared to your lungs your child’s lungs are much smaller and tender, so if you exhale hard it might damage her lungs. With every breath you will notice your child’s chest rise and fall. Remember that each breath should only last for a second and not more than it.

· When administering infant CPR avoid using your hands for chest compressions, rather just use two fingers. Place your fingers in the middle of the chest of your baby and push down for 1 inch to 1.5 inch. Give 30 chest compressions at the rate of hundred compressions per minute.

These basic infant CPR will help your child to breath but while doing make sure that you don’t tilt the head too much especially for infants less than 1 year old. In case of an emergency if you are alone first complete 5 cycles of CPR and then call 911 for help.