Table of Contents
Infant CPR – Quick Action Plan
- ➤ Check for Danger: Ensure the environment is safe before approaching the infant.
- ➤ Check Response: Gently tap the infant and call their name. Look for any movement or sound.
- ➤ Call for Help: Dial 000 and ask for an ambulance. Put on speaker if you're alone.
- ➤ Open Airway: Gently tilt the head into a neutral position and lift the chin.
- ➤ Give 5 Rescue Breaths: Cover their nose and mouth with your mouth. Watch for chest rise.
- ➤ Start CPR: 30 compressions using two fingers in the centre of the chest, followed by 2 breaths. Repeat.
- ➤ Continue Until Help Arrives: Keep going with 30:2 compressions and breaths until professional help takes over.
Use the DRSABCD Action Plan
D – Danger
Before approaching the infant, check for any danger to yourself, the infant, or bystanders.
Make sure the environment is safe.
R – Response
Check if the infant is responsive:
Gently tap the infant’s foot or shoulder
Call their name or speak loudly: “Can you hear me?”
If there is no response, continue to the next step.
S – Send for Help
If someone else is with you, ask them to call 000 immediately.
If you are alone, perform 2 minutes of CPR first, then make the emergency call.
A – Airway
Gently tilt the infant’s head back just slightly and lift the chin to open the airway.
Be careful — an infant’s airway is very delicate.
Check for obstructions in the mouth (vomit, food, etc.) and remove only if easily visible and accessible.
B – Breathing
Look, listen, and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds.
If the infant is not breathing normally (or is only gasping), begin CPR.
C – CPR
Place two fingers in the center of the infant’s chest, just below the nipple line.
Give 30 compressions at a rate of 100–120 per minute, pressing down about 1/3 the chest depth (~4 cm or 1.5 inches).
Follow with 2 gentle breaths, covering both the mouth and nose with your mouth.
Breathe just enough to make the chest rise.
Repeat the cycle of 30 compressions and 2 breaths continuously.
D – Defibrillation
Defibrillation is rarely used on infants under 12 months.
Use an AED only if:
It has pediatric pads or settings, and
You are instructed by emergency services to do so.
If used, place one pad on the chest and one on the back.
Important: Do not delay CPR to look for an AED. Keep doing compressions and breaths until help arrives or the infant starts breathing.
In a Life and Death Crisis — You Don't Get a Second Chance
When a baby stops breathing, it’s not just scary — it’s deadly.
When a child goes limp, there’s no time to Google what to do.
You either know… or you don’t.
At National First Aid Courses, we train you to act with certainty — not panic.
Our CPR course is hands-on, practical, and designed for real life emergencies.
You’ll use lifelike manikins for infants, children, and adults, and you’ll leave knowing exactly how to respond — not just in theory, but in practice.
What You’ll Learn:
How to perform CPR on infants, children, and adults
How to use a defibrillator (AED) — when it matters most
How to manage airways, choking, and unconscious casualties
Real skills. Real confidence. Real preparation.
If you work with kids — or care for them — we also offer the official childcare first aid course:
HLTAID012: Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting.
It’s the nationally recognised childcare first aid course, and it’s trusted by schools, early learning centres, and families across the country.
CPR Certification — Just $50 for Life-Saving Confidence
Becoming CPR certified shouldn’t cost hundreds — and with us, it doesn’t.
Our nationally recognised CPR course is just $50, making it one of the most affordable in Australia — without compromising on quality.
You’ll train with experienced instructors, practise on industry-grade manikins, and walk away knowing exactly what to do when someone’s life is on the line.
Whether it’s for work, family, or peace of mind — this is practical, hands-on training that gives you real-world confidence.
What You Get:
Nationally recognised certification (HLTAID009)
Hands-on CPR practice for infants, children, and adults
Expert trainers with real emergency experience
All course materials included — no hidden fees
As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO 41072), we guarantee you will receive the highest standard of training.
We offer official, accredited, nationally recognised First Aid training at affordable prices.
Our comprehensive First Aid Courses are designed to equip you with the knowledge and certifications needed to provide life-saving assistance in emergency situations.
With face-to-face instruction, same-day certificates, and convenient locations across New South Wales and Queensland (including Sydney, Brisbane and the Gold Coast) we make it easy for you to become a certified First Aider.
Enrol in one of our upcoming First Aid courses and secure your spot today!
About Infant CPR: What Every Parent and Carer Needs to Know
Cardiac arrest in infants is rare — but when it happens, every second counts. Knowing how to respond calmly and confidently could save a baby’s life.
This guide is designed to help you understand what to do, why it matters, and how to be prepared.
Why CPR for Infants Is Different
Infants are not just “tiny adults.”
Their bones are softer, their airways are smaller, and their breathing patterns are different.
That’s why infant CPR uses two fingers, gentler breaths, and extra care around the head and neck.
In most infant emergencies, the cause is breathing-related — not a heart issue like in adults.
That makes early rescue breaths and effective chest compressions absolutely vital.
Recognising an Emergency
You should begin infant CPR if:
-
The baby is unresponsive and not waking to touch or sound
-
The baby is not breathing or only gasping
-
You’ve cleared the airway and there’s still no normal breathing
If you’re alone, do CPR for 2 minutes first, then call emergency services. If someone is with you, get them to call while you start CPR.
The Goal of CPR
CPR keeps oxygenated blood flowing to the infant’s brain and vital organs.
You’re literally acting as their heart and lungs until help arrives.
Even if you’re unsure or nervous, doing something is far better than doing nothing.
Practical Tips for Performing Infant CPR
-
Use a firm surface like the floor or a hard table.
-
Keep your compressions rhythmic and steady — think of a song like Stayin’ Alive (about 100–120 bpm).
-
Make your breaths gentle — infants only need a puff of air.
-
Don’t stop CPR unless:
-
The infant starts breathing on their own
-
Emergency help arrives and takes over
-
You’re too exhausted to continue
-
Common Mistakes to Avoid
-
Too much pressure during compressions — aim for about 4 cm depth or 1/3 of the chest.
-
Tilting the head — always use the lobster claw grip to open the airway of an infant. Try to avoid tilting the head.
-
Blowing too hard — just enough air to make the chest rise.
-
Stopping too early — keep going until help takes over.
What About AEDs?
In infants under 12 months, using an AED (defibrillator) is extremely rare.
Only do so if:
-
The device has pediatric settings or pads
-
You’ve been told to by emergency services
-
It’s the only available option and you’re trained to use it
Even then, never delay CPR while trying to find one.
Final Thoughts: Confidence Over Perfection
In an emergency, perfection is not the goal — action is.
Learning CPR can feel overwhelming, but you don’t need to be a medical expert.
If you can remember DRSABCD and stay calm, you can make the difference that matters most.
Consider taking a government-approved CPR or Childcare first aid course ASAP and become a certified First Aider.
Author Bio:
Jacqueline Lisa
Manager and Accredited First Aid Trainer at National First Aid Courses (NFAC)
With over a decade of experience in the childcare and aged care industries, Jacqueline has dedicated her career to applying her First Aid knowledge in real-world settings. As an accredited First Aid trainer and manager at National Courses PTY LTD, Jacqueline is committed to delivering nationally recognised First Aid and CPR courses across Australia. She combines her hands-on experience with a passion for teaching, empowering others with the critical skills needed to make a difference in emergency situations.
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