Infant CPR & First Aid Guide

Category: First Aid & Emergency Tools
- April 11, 2025
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Learn essential emergency response techniques for infants and babies. This guide is for educational purposes only and does not replace professional training. In case of emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Emergency Contact Numbers

Emergency Services:
911
Poison Control:
1-800-222-1222
Pediatrician:
Local Hospital:

Infant CPR (0-12 months)

IMPORTANT: This guide is for educational purposes only. Take a certified CPR course to be fully prepared for emergencies.

1

Check Responsiveness

Tap the infant's feet or gently stroke their body. Call the infant's name.

Check responsiveness

Remember: Never shake a baby, even in an emergency.

2

Call for Help

If you're alone, call 911 after 2 minutes of care. If someone else is present, have them call immediately.

Call for help
3

Position the Infant

Place the infant on their back on a firm, flat surface.

Position infant
4

Check Breathing

Look for chest movement, listen for breath sounds, and feel for breath on your cheek for no more than 10 seconds.

Check breathing
5

Chest Compressions

If not breathing normally:

  • Place two fingers in the center of the chest, just below the nipple line
  • Push straight down about 1.5 inches (4 cm) at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute
  • Allow complete chest recoil between compressions
Chest compressions
6

Rescue Breaths

After 30 compressions:

  • Open airway using a head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver (tilt very slightly)
  • Cover the infant's mouth and nose with your mouth
  • Give 2 gentle breaths (1 second each), enough to make the chest rise
Rescue breaths

Note: If chest doesn't rise, reposition the head and try again.

7

Continue CPR

Continue cycles of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until:

  • The infant shows signs of life (breathing, coughing, movement)
  • Professional help arrives
  • You are too exhausted to continue
  • The scene becomes unsafe

CPR Demonstration Video

This video demonstrates proper infant CPR technique from the American Heart Association.

Infant Choking Response

IMPORTANT: If the infant is coughing effectively, encourage them to continue coughing. Only intervene if coughs become ineffective or silent.

For Conscious Infant:

1

Position the Infant

Hold the infant face down on your forearm, supporting the head and jaw with your hand. Keep the infant's head lower than their trunk.

Position choking infant
2

Back Blows

Deliver 5 firm back blows between the infant's shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.

Back blows
3

Chest Thrusts

If obstruction persists:

  • Turn the infant face up on your forearm
  • Support the head with your hand
  • Give 5 chest thrusts in the same location as CPR compressions
Chest thrusts
4

Continue Sequence

Continue alternating 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until:

  • The object is expelled
  • The infant begins to breathe or cough effectively
  • The infant becomes unconscious (begin CPR)

For Unconscious Infant:

1

Check Mouth

If you can see the object, carefully remove it. Do not perform blind finger sweeps.

2

Begin CPR

Start CPR with chest compressions (see CPR tab).

Note: Each time you open the airway to give breaths, look for the object in the mouth.

Choking Response Demonstration

Video placeholder
Watch Video

This video demonstrates proper technique for helping a choking infant.

Common Infant Injuries

For Minor Bleeding:

  1. Wash your hands thoroughly
  2. Clean the wound with cool running water
  3. Apply gentle pressure with a clean cloth or gauze pad
  4. Once bleeding stops, apply an appropriate antibiotic ointment
  5. Cover with a bandage if needed

For Severe Bleeding:

  1. Call 911 immediately
  2. Apply firm, direct pressure using a clean cloth or gauze
  3. If possible, elevate the injured area above the level of the heart
  4. Do not remove the cloth if it becomes soaked; add more layers
  5. Keep the infant warm and calm while waiting for help

WHEN TO SEEK EMERGENCY CARE:

  • Bleeding that can't be controlled with direct pressure
  • Deep wounds or wounds larger than 1/2 inch
  • Wounds on the face or genitals
  • Wounds containing embedded objects
  • Animal or human bites

For Minor Burns (redness, mild swelling):

  1. Remove the heat source and any clothing/jewelry near the burn
  2. Cool the burn with cool (not cold) running water for 10-15 minutes
  3. Do not apply ice directly to the burn
  4. Cover with a clean, non-fluffy bandage or cloth
  5. Do not apply butter, oil, or ointments

For Severe Burns:

  1. Call 911 immediately
  2. Do not remove clothing stuck to the burn
  3. Cover the area with a clean, dry sheet or bandage
  4. Keep the infant warm and elevate the burned area if possible

WHEN TO SEEK EMERGENCY CARE:

  • Burns larger than 1 inch in diameter
  • Burns on the face, hands, feet, genitals or major joints
  • Deep burns that affect all layers of skin
  • Burns that appear white, charred, or leathery
  • Chemical or electrical burns
  • Burns accompanied by difficulty breathing

For Minor Head Injuries:

  1. Apply a cold compress to the injured area for 20 minutes
  2. Monitor the infant for the next 24 hours
  3. Observe for unusual drowsiness, vomiting, or behavior changes

WHEN TO SEEK EMERGENCY CARE:

  • Loss of consciousness, even briefly
  • Excessive crying followed by unusual quietness
  • Vomiting more than once
  • Blood or clear fluid from the nose or ears
  • Seizures or convulsions
  • Unequal pupil size
  • Difficulty waking the infant
  • Noticeable bump or dent in the head

For Minor Falls:

  1. Check for visible injuries
  2. Apply cold compress to any bumps or bruises
  3. Monitor for unusual behavior or symptoms

WHEN TO SEEK EMERGENCY CARE:

  • Infant falls from height greater than 3 feet
  • Signs of head injury (see above)
  • Persistent crying or irritability
  • Inability to move a limb normally
  • Visible deformity of a limb
  • Loss of consciousness

Common Infant Illnesses & Emergencies

Fever Guidelines for Infants:

Normal temperature range: 97.5°F to 99.5°F (36.4°C to 37.5°C)

What to Do:

  1. Dress the infant in light clothing
  2. Keep room temperature comfortable (not too hot)
  3. Offer fluids frequently (breast milk, formula, or water if older than 6 months)
  4. For infants older than 3 months, consult with pediatrician about appropriate fever reducers

WHEN TO SEEK EMERGENCY CARE:

  • ANY fever in infants under 3 months (100.4°F/38°C or higher)
  • Fever above 102.2°F (39°C) in infants 3-6 months
  • Fever above 104°F (40°C) in infants over 6 months
  • Fever lasting more than 2 days
  • Fever accompanied by rash, stiff neck, severe headache, difficulty breathing, or extreme irritability
  • Infant looks or acts very sick

If Your Infant Has a Seizure:

  1. Lay the infant on a flat surface, away from any harmful objects
  2. Turn the infant onto their side to prevent choking
  3. Do not put anything in the infant's mouth
  4. Do not try to restrain the infant
  5. Time the seizure if possible
  6. Call 911 if the seizure lasts more than 5 minutes or if the infant doesn't wake up after the seizure

ALWAYS SEEK EMERGENCY CARE FOR:

  • First-time seizure
  • Seizure lasting more than 5 minutes
  • Multiple seizures
  • Difficulty breathing after seizure
  • Bluish color of lips or face
  • Seizure following injury

Signs of Dehydration:

  • Fewer wet diapers (less than 6 in 24 hours)
  • Dark yellow urine or no urine for 4-6 hours
  • Dry mouth and tongue
  • No tears when crying
  • Sunken eyes or fontanelle (soft spot)
  • Listlessness or extreme irritability

What to Do:

  1. For breastfed infants: Nurse more frequently
  2. For formula-fed infants: Offer formula more frequently
  3. For infants over 6 months: May offer small amounts of water in addition to breast milk or formula

WHEN TO SEEK EMERGENCY CARE:

  • No wet diapers for 6-8 hours
  • Excessive drowsiness or lethargy
  • Sunken fontanelle (soft spot on head)
  • Cold or blotchy hands and feet
  • Refusal to drink

Signs of Mild Allergic Reaction:

  • Skin rash or hives
  • Itchiness
  • Mild swelling
  • Runny nose or sneezing

Signs of Severe Allergic Reaction (Anaphylaxis):

  • Difficulty breathing or wheezing
  • Swelling of face, lips, or tongue
  • Vomiting or diarrhea
  • Lethargy or loss of consciousness
  • Pale or blue color

What to Do:

  1. For mild reactions: Remove the allergen if possible
  2. Contact your pediatrician for guidance
  3. For severe reactions: Call 911 immediately
  4. If prescribed, administer an epinephrine auto-injector according to instructions

ALWAYS SEEK EMERGENCY CARE FOR:

  • Any signs of a severe allergic reaction
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Swelling of face or lips
  • Loss of consciousness

Infant First Aid Kit Essentials

Basic Supplies

Wound Care

Medication & Treatments

Information

0% Complete

First Aid Kit Tips:

  • Store your first aid kit in a water-resistant container
  • Keep out of reach of children but easily accessible to adults
  • Check expiration dates every 6 months
  • Replace used items promptly
  • Take your kit with you when traveling
  • Consider keeping a separate kit in your car

Get Certified

This guide is not a substitute for proper training. Consider taking an infant CPR and first aid course from a certified provider:

American Red Cross

Offers in-person and online courses for infant and child CPR and first aid.

Find Courses

American Heart Association

Provides comprehensive CPR and first aid training with infant-specific components.

Find Courses

Local Hospitals

Many hospitals offer infant CPR classes for new and expecting parents.

Contact Your Hospital

Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read in this guide. In case of emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

Peace of Mind for Parents: Your Infant CPR & First Aid Guide

Confidence Starts with Knowing What to Do

Whether you're preparing for your first baby or already juggling bedtime stories and diaper changes, one thing remains constant—wanting to protect your child no matter what. That’s where the Infant CPR & First Aid Guide steps in. It’s not just a tool—it’s a companion for those “what if” moments, offering clear, calm instructions for handling emergencies when every second counts.

This guide walks you through infant CPR, choking response, common injuries, and more—all tailored specifically for babies under one year. It's like having a calm, experienced voice by your side when panic starts to creep in.

Why Being Prepared Isn’t Just for Scouts

We all know the frantic feeling when a baby coughs too hard or takes a tumble while learning to walk. Even with the most baby-proofed home, accidents can happen. Having a reliable resource that explains exactly what to do can make all the difference.

What makes this guide especially helpful is its design—it’s easy to follow, doesn’t overwhelm you with medical jargon, and gives you checklists and steps that are truly doable.

Here’s what parents love about it:

  • Step-by-step CPR instructions with visuals and a video for reference
  • Choking procedures that clarify what to do based on whether the baby is conscious or not
  • First aid responses for common issues like burns, falls, cuts, and head bumps
  • Emergency contact logging so you can store your pediatrician and hospital numbers right inside the guide
  • Checklists for a fully stocked infant first aid kit

Everyday Moments That Made Me Grateful I Knew This

I remember when my daughter choked on a bit of banana—something so soft, but still scary. Her cough turned silent, and I froze for a beat. Then muscle memory kicked in. The only reason I knew what to do was because I’d gone through a guide just like this a few days earlier. She was okay, but I wasn’t the same afterward—I realized how quickly things can change and how powerful it is to be ready.

It’s not about expecting the worst, but about feeling steady when it happens.

Key Features That Fit Into Your Busy Life

Keep It Handy—Even at 2 a.m.

The guide is structured into tabs like CPR, Choking, Illness, and Common Injuries, so you can find what you need in seconds. You don’t have to scroll endlessly or guess what matters. Everything is categorized, and it’s built for tired eyes and shaky hands.

Build Your First Aid Kit Like a Pro

There’s even a checklist to help you build your own infant first aid kit. It includes:

  • Digital thermometer
  • Saline drops
  • Infant acetaminophen (if your pediatrician says it's okay)
  • Gauze, wipes, and antibiotic ointment
  • Your emergency contacts and insurance info

The best part? The checklist tracks your progress. No guessing what’s missing.

CPR and Choking Demos That Stick

Visual learners rejoice—each CPR and choking section includes step-by-step images and a demonstration video. If you’re like most of us, it’s way easier to remember something you saw than something you read.

Tips for Making the Most of the Guide

Here are a few ways to keep your guide useful and top-of-mind:

  1. Bookmark it on your phone for quick access.
  2. Practice the steps when baby is napping. A dry run helps your brain hold onto it better.
  3. Review it with your partner or caregiver so everyone’s on the same page.
  4. Print the emergency contacts section and put it on the fridge or diaper bag.
  5. Take a class to reinforce what you learn. The guide even lists where to find certified training near you.

Peace of Mind Doesn’t Happen Overnight—but This Helps

You’re not expected to know everything, and that’s okay. But having a calm, well-organized tool like the Infant CPR & First Aid Guide is a huge step toward feeling ready. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being prepared enough to act when it matters most.

And honestly, knowing you’ve got a go-to guide? That’s one less thing to worry about—something every parent could use more of.