Health Series VI: How To Perform CPR For Babies: Choking Baby? If It Doesn’t Feel Like Child Abuse It’s Not Working- Miriam Ike



      By 

Miriam Ike 

Dear Faithful Readers,

Welcome back to Health Info with Mims! Today, we’re addressing an important and life-saving topic: how to perform CPR for babies. Knowing what to do in an emergency can make all the difference, especially when it comes to infants who are more vulnerable to choking and other respiratory issues.

Choking is one of the most common emergencies in babies. It’s a terrifying situation for any parent or caregiver, but with the right knowledge and techniques, you can act quickly and effectively to save a baby’s life. Let’s break down the steps on how to perform CPR on a baby who is choking or not breathing.

Understanding the Urgency: Why Acting Fast is Crucial

When a baby is choking, time is of the essence. The longer the airway is blocked, the more dangerous the situation becomes. Brain damage can begin within minutes, so immediate action is necessary. While it might feel intense, especially when dealing with such a small and delicate child, remember that performing CPR and acting swiftly can save a life.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Perform CPR on a Baby

1. Assess the Situation

  1. Stay Calm: It’s natural to feel panicked but try to stay calm so you can focus on helping the baby.

  2. Check for Responsiveness: Gently tap the baby’s foot and call out to them. If there’s no response, the baby is unconscious and needs immediate help.

2. Call for Emergency Help

  1. If alone, perform CPR for 2 minutes before calling for help

  2. Dial Emergency Services: If possible, have someone else call 112 (or your local emergency number) while you begin CPR. If you’re alone, perform CPR for about two minutes before making the call.

3. Open the Airway

  1. Place the Baby on its Back: Lay the baby down on a firm, flat surface, such as a table or the floor.

  2. Head Tilt: Tilt the baby’s head back slightly to open the airway. Be gentle—an infant's airway is delicate, and excessive force could cause injury.

4. Check for Breathing

  1. Look, Listen, and Feel: Place your ear near the baby’s mouth and nose, watching their chest for movement, and listening for breath sounds. If the baby isn’t breathing or is only gasping, it’s time to start CPR.

5. Give Gentle Chest Compressions

  1. Position Your Fingers: Use two fingers to press down on the centre of the baby’s chest, just below the nipple line.

  2. Perform Compressions: Push down about 1.5 inches (4 cm) at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. Let the chest rise fully between compressions, but don’t remove your fingers from the chest.

6. Provide Rescue Breaths

  1. Cover the Baby’s Mouth and Nose: After 30 compressions, cover the baby’s mouth and nose with your mouth to form a seal.

  2. Give 2 Gentle Breaths: Each breath should last about 1 second and cause the baby’s chest to rise. Be careful not to blow too hard, as this could damage the baby’s lungs.

7. Continue CPR

Repeat the Cycle: Continue the cycle of 30 compressions and 2 breaths until the baby begins to breathe on their own, emergency help arrives, or you are too exhausted to continue.

When to Perform Back Blows and Chest Thrusts

If the baby is conscious but choking (coughing, gagging, or unable to cry):

1. Back Blows:

  1. Hold the baby face-down along your forearm, supporting their head and neck with your hand.

  2. Use the heel of your hand to give five firm back blows between the baby’s shoulder blades.

2. Chest Thrusts:

  1. If back blows don’t dislodge the object, turn the baby onto its back.

  2. Use two fingers to give five quick chest thrusts, pressing down on the same spot as chest compressions.

Alternate between five back blows and five chest thrusts until the object is expelled or the baby becomes unconscious, in which case you should begin CPR immediately.

It May Feel Intense, But It’s Necessary

Remember, it might feel rough or even harsh to perform CPR or back blows on a baby, but this is a life-saving procedure. If it doesn’t feel like you’re exerting effort, you may not be doing it correctly. The goal is to restore breathing and circulation, and sometimes that requires firm action. 

Final Thoughts

Knowing how to perform CPR on a baby is an essential skill for every parent, caregiver, or anyone who spends time with infants. In an emergency, your quick and confident actions could save a life. While it’s natural to feel fear or hesitation, remember that your response can make all the difference. Keep this guide in mind, and consider taking a certified infant CPR course for hands-on practice and confidence.

Stay safe, and keep learning with Health Info with Mims!

Connect with Us

YouTube: @healthinfowithmims7649 

Facebook: @healthinfowithmims

Instagram: @phunkeymimi 

Keywords

#InfantCPR #BabyFirstAid #ChokingPrevention #HealthInfoWithMims #LifeSavingSkills # infantHeimlichmanoeuvre #Parenting #EmergencyResponse


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