Important Note: I’m not a medical professional—just a parent-in-training learning everything I can before my baby arrives. This post is meant to encourage awareness, not to replace proper medical training. If you’re interested in learning infant CPR, I highly recommend taking a certified class through the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or a local hospital or fire department.
Even before my baby is born, I already worry about “what if” moments—especially the scary ones like choking or breathing emergencies. That’s why I’ve been researching infant CPR and trying to understand what to do in a worst-case scenario.
Here’s what I’ve learned so far, and what I’m doing to get better prepared (without letting the anxiety spiral take over).
Why Infant CPR Is Different
Infant CPR is not the same as adult or even child CPR. It’s gentler and tailored to babies under 1 year old.
What makes it different:
- Smaller, more delicate chest compressions
- Rescue breaths need to be smaller and gentler
- The sequence and hand positioning is different
Knowing these details can make a life-saving difference.
When to Use Infant CPR
This is one of the first things I’ve learned: Infant CPR is used when a baby is unresponsive and not breathing or only gasping.
This could be from:
- Choking
- Drowning
- Sudden infant cardiac arrest
- Respiratory illness or complication
The idea isn’t to memorize everything perfectly but to know the basic steps so you can act quickly while waiting for emergency help.
(Additional Read: Safe Sleep Checklist for your Baby)
Basic Steps of Infant CPR (As I’m Learning Them)
Here’s the simplified sequence based on what I’ve picked up from Red Cross and AHA resources:
- Check responsiveness – Tap the baby gently and shout. No response? Move on.
- Call 911 – If you’re alone, give 2 minutes of CPR first, then call. If someone is with you, have them call 911 immediately.
- Open the airway – Gently tilt the baby’s head back and lift the chin.
- Give 2 gentle rescue breaths – Cover the baby’s mouth and nose with your mouth. Each breath should be 1 second.
- Start compressions – Use 2 fingers in the center of the chest (just below the nipple line).
- Push down about 1.5 inches
- Give 30 compressions, then 2 breaths
- Repeat the 30:2 cycle until help arrives or the baby starts breathing
Again—this is not a substitute for hands-on training. Watching videos is a start, but practicing on a dummy with guidance is way more effective.
Where to Learn Infant CPR Properly
Here are the top places I’m considering for certified training:
- American Red Cross – Offers both online and in-person classes
- American Heart Association – Known for CPR Anytime kits you can use at home
- Local hospitals or birthing centers – Many offer newborn and safety prep classes
- Fire departments and community centers – Often free or low-cost
I’m also bookmarking a few YouTube videos from reputable sources just to reinforce what I’ve learned in class.
What I’m Doing Now to Feel Prepared
- Brushing up on the CPR skills I’ve learned in previous jobs
- Sharing what I’ve learned with my partner and family
- Saving the Poison Control number in my phone: 1-800-222-1222
- Making a mini emergency plan and list of local urgent care centers
Just taking these small steps is already helping me feel a little more confident—and a little less panicked about the unknown. (Though still very nervous about becoming a first time parent!)
(Additional Read: New Dad’s Checklist)
Final Thoughts (From One Cautious Parent-to-Be to Another)
Learning about infant CPR isn’t about living in fear—it’s about feeling empowered in case something scary ever happens.
We’ll hopefully never need to use this knowledge—but if we do, we’ll be glad we took the time to prepare.
You’ve got this. One breath, one beat, one step at a time.