How to do CPR on a child or baby

Jump straight to: 

• Difference between a baby, child and adult in CPR
• Before starting CPR on a child or baby 
• How to do CPR on a child (1 to 18 years old)  
• How to do CPR on a baby (under 1 year old) 
• What to do if the child or baby starts to show signs of life 
• The recovery position for a child and baby 

Difference between a baby, child and adult in CPR

The guidance for giving CPR to children and babies is different from that for adults. And the guidance for giving CPR to a child is also different from that for a baby.  

In CPR, a baby is under 1 year old. A child is 1 to 18 years old.  

If you’re unsure, make a decision based on their physical features and use the appropriate CPR method. If in doubt between a child or an adult, refer to the adult CPR steps. The important thing is to call 999 and to do CPR.    

Before starting CPR on a child or baby 

• Check the space is clear and look out for hazards like electrical equipment, slippery surfaces, or cars.  
• Call the child’s or baby name if known. Firmly tap on shoulders if it’s a child or tap the bottom of the feet if it’s a baby.
• If they do not respond, see if their chest rises and listen or feel for breathing and other signs of life like moving or coughing. If their breathing is abnormal, they’re not breathing or if you're unsure, call 999 and start CPR immediately. Take no more than 10 seconds to check this. 
• Do not start CPR but still call 999 immediately if:
  • They are conscious but cannot move.
  • They are unconscious but breathing normally. If this is the case, put them in the recovery position and monitor their breathing in case you need to start CPR. (See the section below on recovery position.)

How to do CPR on a child (1 to 18 years old)

Always call 999 before starting CPR.

1. Turn the child on their back, open their mouth and gently tilt their head back enough to open the airway. Support their neck while you do this.
2. Pinch their nose, seal their mouth with your mouth and breathe out firmly until their chest rises. Wait for their chest to fall before giving the next breath. At first, give 5 of these rescue breaths.
3. Put one hand in the centre of the child’s chest (aim for their breastbone). Push down on their chest about one third deep (about 5cm) at a rate of 2 per second. Repeat this 30 times to a steady and swift beat (try pushing to the beat of Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees). Allow the chest to come back up before you push each time.
4. After doing 30 chest compressions, give 2 rescue breaths. Keep repeating this cycle.
5. Once you have a defibrillator, place the pads on the child immediately and turn it on. If someone is with you, they can do this while you continue to do CPR. Follow the defibrillator’s instructions. Some defibrillators have a child mode function button as well as child sized pads, please use if available. If you do not have a defibrillator, keep doing CPR. 

How to do CPR on a baby (under 1 year old) 

 Always call 999 before starting CPR. 

1. Turn the baby on their back and open their mouth.
2. Cover their nose and mouth with your mouth and breathe out firmly until their chest rises. Wait for their chest to fall before giving the next breath. At first, give 5 of these rescue breaths. If you cannot get a good seal over the mouth and nose, then cover either the mouth or the nose. Make sure the part you’re not covering is closed.
3. After the 5 breaths, you need to give 30 chest compressions. There are 2 ways to do chest compressions on a baby, the thumb technique and the two finger technique.
   
   To perform the two finger technique, put two fingers (the index and middle finger) in the centre of the baby’s chest and push down a third of the depth of the chest (about 4cm).
   
   To perform the thumb technique, place both thumbs flat, side-by-side, on the lower half of the chest, with the tips pointing towards the infant’s head. With your thumbs still together, spread the rest of your hands to encircle the baby’s rib cage. The tips of your fingers should support the infant’s back. Press down on the lower chest with your two thumbs at least one-third of the depth of the infant’s chest, approximately 4cm.
4. After doing 30 chest compressions, give 2 rescue breaths Keep repeating this cycle.
5. Once you have a defibrillator, place the pads on the baby immediately and turn it on. If someone is with you, they can do this while you continue to do CPR. Follow the defibrillator’s instructions. Some defibrillators have a child mode function button as well as child sized pads, please use if available. If you do not have a defibrillator, keep doing CPR. 

What to do if the child or baby starts to show signs of life 

• stop compressions but carry on with rescue breaths until they can breathe normally on their own 
• put the child or baby into the recovery position (see below) 
• monitor to see if their breathing stops again and be ready to restart CPR 
• wait for emergency services. 

Recovery position

For a child

Roll the child over onto their side, with one knee bent out in front of them, their hand tucked under their cheek and their head tilted to keep the airway clear. 

For a baby

Hold the baby in your arms with their body tilted downwards so that they do not choke or inhale vomit.

• Get a step by step guide on how to get a child into a recovery position.