How to Perform CPR on Your Newborn

The American Heart Association developed Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) in the early 1960s for physicians. It was introduced to the public as a means to act as first responders in the event of an emergency. The three types of CPR are adult, child and infant; the latter is for anyone who is less than a year old.

Instructions

• 1

  Check the infant for a response, i.e., breathing. If there isn't one, have someone call 911, and begin the CPR process.

• 2

  Put the baby on his back on a firm surface.

• 3

  Open the infant's airway by tilting his forehead back with one hand. Lift his chin with your other hand. Don't tilt his head too far back.

• 4

  Check for signs of life for 10 seconds. Look for movement. Listen and watch the baby's chest for breathing. If there's still no sign of life, begin rescue breaths.

• 5

  Give two gentle rescue breaths by placing your mouth over the baby's mouth and nose. These breaths should be small puffs, not adult-sized breaths. Each breath should last one second. Watch the child's chest as your give the breaths. If air goes in, the infant is not choking. Perform CPR.

• 6

  Give the baby 30 chest compressions. Draw an imaginary line between his nipples. Place 2-3 fingers just below the center of this imaginary line. Compress ½ inch to 1 inch 30 times with the pads of your fingers. Give the compressions at a rate of 100 per minute.

• 7

  Give two more rescue breaths.

• 8

  Repeat 30 compressions, followed by two breaths. Continue this until help arrives.