Lifespan's A - Z Health Information Library

1. Check for responsiveness. Shake or tap the infant gently. See if the infant moves or makes a noise. Shout, “Are you OK?”

2. If there is no response, shout for help.Send someone to call 911. Do not leave the infant yourself to call 911 until you have given about one minute of CPR.

3. Carefully place the infant on his or her back.If there is a chance the infant has a spinal injury, two people are needed to move the infant without twisting the head and neck.

4. Open the airway.Lift up the chin with one hand. At the same time, push down on the forehead with the other hand.

5. Look, listen, and feel for breathing.Place your ear close to the infant’s mouth and nose. Watch for chest movement. Feel for breath on your cheek.

6. If the infant is not breathing:

• Cover the infant’s mouth and nose tightly with your mouth
• Alternatively, cover just the nose. Hold the mouth shut.
• Keep the chin lifted and head tilted
• Give 2 slow breaths. Do NOT give large, full, forceful breaths.

7. If the chest does NOT rise, try the chin lift-head tilt again, and give 2 more breaths. If the chest still doesn’t rise, check to see if something is blocking the airway and try to remove it.

8. Look for signs of circulation – normal breathing, coughing, or movement. If these signs are still absent, begin chest compressions.

9. Perform chest compressions:

• Place 2-3 fingers on the breastbone – just below the nipples. Make sure not to press at the very end of the breastbone.
• Keep your other hand on the infant’s forehead, keeping the head tilted back.
• Press down on the infant’s chest so that it compresses about 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the chest.
• Give 5 chest compressions. Each time, let the chest rise completely. These compressions should be FAST with no pausing. Count the 5 compressions quickly: “a, b, c, d, off.”

10. Give the infant 1 slow, full breath. The chest should rise.

11. Continue cycles of 5 chest compressions followed by 1 slow, full breath.

12. After about 1 minute, check again for signs of circulation.

13. At this time, if the infant still does not have normal breathing, coughing, or any movement, leave the infant to call 911.

14. Repeat steps 11 and 12 until the infant recovers or help arrives.

If the infant starts breathing again, place him or her in the recovery position. Periodically re-check for breathing and signs of circulation until help arrives.