In an ideal world, you’d never have to intervene in a life-threatening situation involving your child. However, accidents can occur — from choking on food or small toys to becoming tangled in household items. Learning CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and the Heimlich maneuver for infants and toddlers is crucial for every parent.
Infant CPR
To perform CPR on an infant, start by ensuring the area is safe. If the baby is unresponsive, call for help or have someone else call emergency services. Lay the infant on a firm surface, preferably a flat surface. Check for breathing; if there’s no breathing, begin with 30 chest compressions using two fingers at the center of the chest, just below the nipple line. After that, give two rescue breaths by sealing your mouth over the baby’s mouth and nose, puffing gently. Repeat the cycle until help arrives or the infant starts breathing.
Heimlich Maneuver for Infants
If an infant is choking, hold them face down on your forearm, supporting their head and neck. Deliver five firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. If that doesn’t work, turn them over and give five chest thrusts using two fingers at the center of their chest. Repeat the back blows and chest thrusts until the object is dislodged or emergency help arrives.
Toddler CPR
For a toddler, the procedure is similar but adjusted for their size. Lay the child on their back on a firm surface. Check for responsiveness and breathing. If unresponsive, start with 30 chest compressions using one hand or two hands, depending on the child’s size. Follow this with two rescue breaths, sealing your mouth over theirs. Continue this sequence until help arrives or the toddler begins to breathe.
Heimlich Maneuver for Toddlers
If a toddler is choking, stand behind them and wrap your arms around their waist. Make a fist and place it just above their navel, grasp it with your other hand. Give quick, inward and upward thrusts until the object is expelled. Remember, it’s important to stay calm and act quickly.
To equip yourself with the right skills, consider taking a first aid class focused on infants and children. This hands-on training will give you the confidence to act in emergencies. You can check out this useful resource on pregnancy and home insemination at American Pregnancy. For more tips on navigating parenthood, explore our post on three years of trying to conceive or learn about home insemination methods at this link.
In summary, being prepared with knowledge of CPR and the Heimlich maneuver can make a significant difference in emergencies involving babies and toddlers. Practice these techniques regularly so they become second nature, allowing you to respond quickly and effectively when it matters most.