Baby CPR: The Complete Guide for New Parents
A step-by-step walkthrough of infant CPR (birth to 12 months) — aligned with Canadian Red Cross & Heart & Stroke guidelines.
If a baby is unresponsive and not breathing normally: (1) tap the sole of their foot and shout — don’t shake; (2) call 911 on speakerphone and start CPR; (3) give 30 compressions using the two-thumb encircling technique (or the heel of one hand) on the lower half of the breastbone, pushing at least ⅓ of the chest’s depth at 100–120/min; (4) give 2 gentle breaths covering the nose and mouth. Repeat 30:2 until help arrives. If you’re alone with no phone, do 2 minutes of CPR first, then call.
When Should You Start CPR on a Baby?
Start infant CPR when a baby is unresponsive and not breathing normally. Here’s how to assess that quickly:
- Check for responsiveness. Tap the bottom of the baby’s foot firmly and call their name loudly. Never shake a baby — this can cause serious brain injury.
- Check for breathing. Look at the chest for rising and falling. Listen and feel for breath near the baby’s nose and mouth. Take no more than 10 seconds to assess.
- If the baby is unresponsive and not breathing (or only gasping): Begin CPR immediately.
Source: Canadian Red Cross 2025; Heart & Stroke Foundation (ILCOR 2025 Basic Life Support).
Step-by-Step: How to Perform CPR on a Baby
1Call for help
If someone is with you, point directly at them and say: “You — call 911 right now and find an AED.” Being specific cuts through panic and ensures someone acts while you start CPR.
If you’re alone, put 911 on speakerphone and start CPR immediately. If you have no phone, perform 2 minutes of CPR first (about 5 cycles of 30 compressions + 2 breaths), then call 911. For babies, the most common cause of cardiac arrest is a breathing problem, so starting CPR immediately gives the best chance of recovery.
2Position the baby
Place the baby face-up on a firm, flat surface — a table, the floor, or even a hard book on a soft surface. Remove any clothing covering the chest. Stand or kneel beside the baby so you’re positioned over their chest.
3Give 30 chest compressions
Use the two-thumb encircling technique — wrap both hands around the baby’s chest and place both thumbs on the lower half of the breastbone (just below the nipple line) — or use the heel of one hand on the same spot. The older two-finger method is no longer the recommended technique (Canadian Red Cross / Heart & Stroke Foundation, per AHA 2025 guidelines).
- Depth: Push down at least one-third the depth of the chest (roughly 4 cm on a small baby — but judge it by the one-third rule, not a fixed number, because babies vary in size). Canadian Red Cross 2025.
- Rate: 100 to 120 compressions per minute. Push to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees — it’s almost exactly 100 BPM. Heart & Stroke / ILCOR 2025.
- Let the chest fully recoil between each compression. Don’t lean on the baby’s chest between pushes.
Count aloud: “1 and 2 and 3 and 4…” up to 30.
4Give 2 rescue breaths
After 30 compressions, open the airway by tilting the baby’s head into a neutral (“sniffing”) position — don’t over-extend the neck, which can close a baby’s airway. Lift the chin gently with one finger.
Seal your mouth over both the baby’s nose and mouth — their face is small enough to cover both. Give 2 gentle breaths, each lasting about 1 second. Watch for the chest to rise with each breath.
- If the chest doesn’t rise, re-tilt the head and try again.
- Use only enough air to make the chest visibly rise — don’t blow hard.
5Repeat: 30 compressions, 2 breaths
Continue the cycle of 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. Don’t stop unless:
- The baby starts breathing normally on their own
- Emergency medical services arrive and take over
- An AED is available and ready to use (use pediatric pads if available)
- You become physically unable to continue (if so, switch with another rescuer)
Note: If two trained rescuers are present, infant CPR switches to a 15:2 ratio.
Source: Canadian Red Cross 2025 (technique, depth & ratio); St. John Ambulance / CSA Z1210 (two-rescuer infant 15:2); Heart & Stroke Foundation (ILCOR 2025 Basic Life Support).
What to Do if the Baby Is Choking
If a choking baby is still conscious, do not start CPR. Give 5 back blows, then 5 chest thrusts using the heel of one hand — never abdominal thrusts on a baby, because of the risk of injuring the relatively large, unprotected abdominal organs. Repeat until the object clears or the baby becomes unresponsive. Start CPR only if the baby becomes unresponsive and stops breathing normally. See our step-by-step guide: what to do when a baby is choking.
Source: Canadian Red Cross 2025; AHA 2025 (infant choking: back blows + chest thrusts, never abdominal).
Common Mistakes Parents Make (and How to Avoid Them)
Even in a training setting, these mistakes come up repeatedly. Knowing them in advance helps you avoid them when it counts.
Compressing too lightly. Many parents are afraid of hurting the baby, so they push too softly. A compression that’s too shallow won’t circulate blood effectively. Push to at least one-third of the chest’s depth — it should feel firm. Cracked ribs, while possible, are a secondary concern when a baby’s heart has stopped.
Forgetting to let the chest recoil. Leaning on the chest between compressions prevents the heart from refilling with blood. Lift your hands slightly between each push — full recoil is just as important as compression depth.
Blowing too hard during rescue breaths. A baby’s lungs are tiny. A gentle puff — just enough to see the chest rise — is all you need. Blowing too hard can force air into the stomach or injure the lungs.
Over-extending the neck. Tilting a baby’s head too far back can actually close the airway. Keep the head in a neutral, slightly tilted position — imagine the baby is sniffing the air.
Stopping too soon. CPR can feel exhausting and endless. But longer, high-quality CPR is associated with better outcomes. Keep going until paramedics arrive or the baby breathes normally.
How to Build Confidence Before You Need It
Reading a guide is a start, but it’s not enough. Here’s how to go from “I know the steps” to “I can actually do this”:
Take a hands-on course. Life Safe’s CPR Level C & AED course uses manikins with real-time feedback devices that measure your compression depth, rate, and recoil as you practise. You’ll know whether your technique actually works — not just hope it does. Courses are available across Ontario in Toronto, Hamilton, Welland, Guelph, and more.
Practise at home with the Life Safe CPR Coach app. Between classes, the Life Safe CPR Coach uses your phone’s camera and AI-powered hand tracking to give real-time feedback as you practise compressions on a pillow or cushion. It tracks your rate, depth, and consistency — so you can keep your skills sharp without waiting for your next recertification.
Review regularly. CPR skills fade within months if you don’t practise. Set a reminder to review this guide and do a quick practice session every few months — especially around milestones like when your baby starts solid foods (a common choking trigger).
Baby CPR vs. Child CPR vs. Adult CPR: Key Differences
The basic single-rescuer rhythm is the same (30:2), but the technique changes with age:
| Detail | Infant (0–12 months) | Child (1 yr–puberty) | Adult (puberty+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand placement | 2 thumbs or heel of 1 hand, lower half of breastbone | 1 or 2 hands, centre of chest | 2 hands, centre of chest |
| Compression depth | At least ⅓ of chest depth (~4 cm / 1.5 in) | At least ⅓ of chest depth (~5 cm / 2 in) | 5–6 cm (2–2.4 in) |
| Compression rate | 100–120/min | 100–120/min | 100–120/min |
| Ratio (single / 2 rescuers) | 30:2 / 15:2 | 30:2 / 15:2 | 30:2 / 30:2 |
| Rescue breaths | Cover nose + mouth | Pinch nose, mouth-to-mouth | Pinch nose, mouth-to-mouth |
| Alone: call 911 when? | Speakerphone now; if no phone, after 2 min CPR | Speakerphone now; if no phone, after 2 min CPR | Immediately, before CPR |
Source: Canadian Red Cross 2025 (pediatric depth ≥⅓ chest, rate, ratios); Heart & Stroke Foundation / ILCOR 2025 Basic Life Support (adult depth 5–6 cm, rate 100–120/min). See our AED guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what age is a baby considered an “infant” for CPR purposes?
An infant is a baby from birth up to 1 year old. After age 1, child CPR techniques apply, which use different hand placement and compression depth.
How deep should chest compressions be on a baby?
At least one-third the depth of the baby’s chest, per the Canadian Red Cross and Heart & Stroke Foundation — judged as a fraction, not a fixed number (roughly 4 cm on a small baby). Use the two-thumb encircling technique or the heel of one hand; the two-finger method is no longer recommended.
Should I do CPR if my baby is choking?
Not while the baby is still responsive. If a baby is choking but conscious, give 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts first (never abdominal thrusts). Only begin CPR if the baby becomes unresponsive and stops breathing normally.
Can I practise baby CPR at home?
Yes. The Life Safe CPR Coach app uses your phone’s camera and AI-powered hand tracking to give real-time feedback on your technique. However, hands-on training with a certified instructor is the gold standard.
How fast should I do compressions on a baby?
100 to 120 compressions per minute, per Canadian Red Cross and Heart & Stroke (ILCOR) guidelines. Push to the beat of “Stayin’ Alive” by the Bee Gees — it’s almost exactly 100 BPM.
Learn Baby CPR Hands-On with Life Safe
Reading is a great start. But when it matters, you need muscle memory — and that only comes from practice. Our CPR Level C & AED course includes infant CPR with real-time feedback manikins, so you leave knowing your technique actually works.
Find a class near you: Toronto • Downtown Toronto • East York • Hamilton • Welland • Guelph
Sources & medical review
Written and reviewed by Milos Radojcic (Canadian Red Cross / Heart & Stroke / Lifesaving Society First Aid & CPR Instructor, 10+ yrs; First Aid Instructor Trainer). Clinical content aligned with the Canadian Red Cross (2025), the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada, and the 2025 ILCOR Basic Life Support consensus. Last reviewed July 2026.