6. Special Considerations for Infants

Administering artificial respiration and CPR to infants requires specific techniques due to their smaller size and delicate anatomy.

Common Causes of Respiratory Arrest in Infants:

• Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
• Drowning or suffocation
• Infections
• Poisoning
• Congenital health problems

Procedural Steps for Infants:

1. Check Responsiveness: Gently tap the infant’s heel or shoulder. Do not shake the infant.
2. Open the Airway: Gently tilt the head back to a neutral or “sniffing” position. Overextending the neck can block the airway.
3. Check for Breathing: Use the Look-Listen-Feel method for 10 seconds.
4. Administer Rescue Breaths:
   • Place your mouth over both the infant’s mouth and nose to create a seal.
   • Deliver two gentle puffs of air, using only the volume of air in your cheeks. Each puff should last about 1 second.
   • Watch for the chest to rise slightly. Over-inflating can damage the infant’s lungs.
5. Perform CPR (If No Pulse):
   • The cycle remains 30 compressions to 2 breaths.
   • Chest Compressions: Place two fingers (index and middle) on the center of the chest, just below the nipple line.
   • Compress to a depth of about 4 cm at a rate of 100-120 per minute.
   • Continue the cycle without interruption until help arrives.