In the event that the baby stops breathing or the heart has stopped beating, timely action can rescue the life. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is a lifesaving intervention. It keeps blood circulating. It also keeps air in the lungs until paramedics or emergency medical personnel arrive to continue it. CPR in a baby is basically different from adults and older children.
Where there are 2 rescuers, the infant CPR ratio in some cases is most urgent. Ratio and technique properly applied is life or death.
What Is Infant CPR?
Infant CPR is the process of resuscitation if the infant younger than one year experiences loss of breath or losing heartbeats. CPR is a cycle of interchanging chest compressions with the rescue breaths while attempting to circulate the pumped blood and oxygen in the body. The fact that infants are different from adults and hence, the process utilized whenever utilizing Infant CPR is delicate with care.
Why Infant CPR is Not Like Adult and Child CPR
The physical build of infants differs a lot from adults’:
- Their airway is small and can easily close.
- Their chest and bones are soft, so less hard compression is used.
- Their heart rate and rate of breathing are faster.
These are some of the reasons that infant number and order of CPR are different from child and adult.
One Rescuer vs. Two Rescuer Infant CPR
Two methods of doing infant CPR, based on the number of rescuers:
- One Rescuer CPR: You give 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths if a single person is present and keep switching over.
- Two Rescuer CPR: If two are present, then the ratio decreases to 15 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths.
This 15:2 is suggested because there are extra compressions being administered in intervals, and in infants, they are even more vital because respiratory distress is more or less the real cause of cardiac arrest in infants.
Infant CPR Ratio with 2 Rescuers
Ideal ratio in case of two rescuers available is:
15 compressions : 2 breaths
- Two-thumb encircling hands method is used by one of the rescuers to do the chest compressions (thumbs compress and fingers offer back support).
- Rescue breathing is given by the second rescuer, every 15 compressions.
This is best since it offers more circulation and breathing assistance, along with preventing the rescuers from getting fatigued as they can alternately switch sides if needed.
CPR with 2 Rescuers
The following is a simple infant CPR with 2 rescuers:
Safety Check
Make sure the area is safe.
Look for Response
Gently tap the baby’s shoulder or foot. Call out to them by name. If still the baby remains unresponsive. Then call emergency services.
Call for Emergency Services
There are two rescuers. So one can dial the emergency services (911). The other will initiate the CPR.
Check for Breathing and Pulse
- Check for chest rise, listen for breath sounds, and check for air.
- Check for brachial pulse. It’s on the inside of the baby’s upper arm.
If the baby is not breathing and has no pulse. Then initiate the CPR.
Position the Baby
Put the baby on a firm flat surface.
Chest Compressions
- Rescuer 1 does a two-thumb encircling technique. Place thumbs side by side above the middle of the chest below the nipple line, fingers over the baby’s body.
- Push down to about 1.5 inches (4 cm) with a rate as close as possible to the heartbeat.
- Deliver 15 compressions at 100–120 compressions per minute.
Rescue Breaths
- Rescuer 2 opens the airway after 15 compressions by performing head-tilt, chin-lift.
- Put your mouth over the baby’s nose and mouth.
- Breathe slowly 2 times, once for about 1 second, just enough to see the chest rise.
Repeating CPR
15 compressions and 2 breaths again and again until:
- The baby is breathing regularly.
- Emergency medical assistance arrives.
- You are too tired to go on.
Switch Places if Necessary
For avoiding fatigue, the rescuers need to switch positions (compressions and breaths) after 2 minutes. Thus, the CPR is effective and firm.
Infant CPR Mistakes to Avoid
- Too hard push: Push 1.5 inches only; hard push will hurt.
- Too hard blow: Blow gently; too hard blowing will ruin a baby’s lungs.
- Forget ratio: Never forget that for two rescuers it will be 15:2 and for a single rescuer it will be 30:2.
- Not allowing recoil of the chest: The chest has to be brought back to the original place after every compression.
- Delays in CPR: Compress immediately if the baby is unconscious and not breathing.
Why 2 Rescuer Method Is Best
While single rescuer CPR has saved a life, two rescuer method is preferable because:
- Compressions and ventilations are simpler.
- Rescuers can relieve one another.
- The 15:2 will provide more oxygen, and this is particularly important in babies.
FAQs
How rapidly do I provide compressions?
Approximately 100–120 per minute, roughly the same beat as a quick song.
What happens if I remember the correct ratio incorrectly?
Much better than nothing. Begin compressions and breaths when you can until assistance arrives.
Can I perform compressions one-handed?
No. For an infant, use encircling hands and two thumbs so you can handle and support more.
How and when do I stop CPR?
Stop only if the infant is breathing regularly, emergency responders arrive and take charge, or you are too tired to go on.
Do I need training?
Yes. Take infant CPR in an instructor-approved course so that you have experience and confidence.
Infant CPR does not have to be intimidating, and once you know how the process is performed and the ratio required, you will act instinctively when the situation occurs. With two rescuers, the optimum ratio of compression to ventilation is 15:2 utilizing the two-thumb encircling hands method of chest compressions. You can take turns so that one of you is doing compressions and the other is giving rescue breaths, and you two alternate every few minutes so that CPR remains effective.
Parents, babysitters, day care workers, and teachers especially who work with infants should be trained in infant CPR. Anything can happen at any time, but if one knows the proper things, an infant will have the best possible chance of surviving until the experts arrive.
