Infant CPR: why to learn it and how to find a class

Newborn · Safety · Reviewed 20 June 2026 · All articles

No parent wants to imagine the moment when their baby stops breathing. Yet every year, thousands of infants survive cardiac or respiratory emergencies precisely because a parent, grandparent, or carer in the room already knew what to do. Infant CPR is one of the most practical skills any caregiver can have, and it takes only a few hours to learn properly. This article explains what infant CPR involves, how it differs from adult CPR, what steps to follow while waiting for emergency services, and most importantly, where you can find a certified class near you. This page is an overview only and is not a substitute for hands-on training with a qualified instructor.

Why every parent should learn infant CPR

Sudden cardiac or respiratory arrest in an infant is rare, but the situations that can lead to it are not. Choking on a small object or a piece of food, a severe allergic reaction, a near-drowning event in the bath, or an episode linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) can all result in an unresponsive, non-breathing baby. In every one of these scenarios, the minutes before an ambulance arrives are critical.

Research published by the American Heart Association consistently shows that bystander CPR, performed immediately by someone on the scene, dramatically increases survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. For infants specifically, the brain begins to suffer irreversible damage within around four to six minutes without oxygen. An ambulance in an urban area may take eight to ten minutes to arrive; in rural settings the wait can be considerably longer. The gap between the 999 or 911 call and the arrival of professional help is exactly the window that a trained parent can fill.

Beyond the statistics, there is a psychological benefit to being trained. Parents who have completed a certified infant CPR class report feeling less anxious in everyday situations. Knowing that you could act effectively if something went wrong changes the quality of your attention in a positive way. You are more alert without being consumed by fear. That calm competence is exactly what an infant needs from the adults around them.

Learning infant CPR is also an act of community. When you are trained, you can help a neighbour's baby, a grandchild, or a stranger's infant at a playground. Skills do not expire at the front door of your own home.

How infant CPR differs from adult CPR

If you already hold an adult CPR certification, you might assume the technique is the same scaled down. It is not. There are several important differences, and using the wrong technique on an infant can cause injury or be ineffective.

Compression depth and force. An infant's chest is much smaller and more fragile than an adult's. The recommended compression depth for an infant is approximately 4 centimetres (about one and a half inches), roughly one-third of the chest depth. For adults the target is 5 to 6 centimetres. Pressing too deep on an infant risks rib fractures; pressing too shallow fails to move blood effectively.

Hand and finger placement. For a single rescuer, the standard technique uses two fingers placed on the lower half of the breastbone, just below the nipple line. For two rescuers, the preferred method is the two-thumb encircling technique: both thumbs are placed on the breastbone and the hands encircle the chest, which has been shown in studies to generate better blood flow than the two-finger method.

Rescue breaths. With an adult, you tilt the head back, lift the chin, and deliver breaths through the mouth alone. With an infant, you cover both the mouth and the nose with your mouth to create a seal, and you use only the air in your cheeks to deliver a gentle puff. A full adult breath can overinflate an infant's tiny lungs and cause complications. You should just see the chest rise, then stop.

Head tilt angle. An infant's airway is opened with a more neutral tilt than an adult's. Tilting the head too far back can actually close off a baby's airway because of how the soft tissues at the back of the throat sit at this age. Instructors will help you find the correct neutral position on a manikin.

Compression-to-breath ratio. For a single rescuer, the ratio is 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths, the same as for adults. When two trained rescuers are working together on an infant, the ratio changes to 15 compressions to 2 breaths, allowing more frequent ventilation.

The steps at a glance (overview only, not a substitute for a class)

The sequence below is a simplified overview intended to illustrate what a certified class covers. It is not a complete guide and is not sufficient preparation for a real emergency. Please complete an in-person course with a certified instructor.

1. Check the scene and the baby. Make sure the environment is safe. Tap the infant's foot and call out loudly. A healthy sleeping baby will respond. If there is no response, do not shake the baby.

2. Call for help immediately. If a second person is present, direct them specifically to call emergency services while you begin CPR. If you are alone, call first, put the phone on speaker, and follow the dispatcher's instructions.

3. Open the airway. Place the baby on a firm, flat surface. Gently tilt the head back to a neutral position and lift the chin. Look for visible obstructions. If you can clearly see an object, you may attempt to remove it, but never perform a blind finger sweep.

4. Check for breathing. Look, listen and feel for no more than ten seconds. If the baby is not breathing normally, begin CPR. Occasional gasping is not normal breathing.

5. Give rescue breaths. Cover the infant's mouth and nose with your mouth. Give two gentle puffs, just enough to see the chest rise. If the chest does not rise, reposition the head and try again.

6. Begin compressions. Place two fingers on the centre of the chest, just below the nipple line. Press down approximately 4 centimetres at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute. After 30 compressions, give 2 rescue breaths. Continue this cycle.

7. Continue until help arrives or the baby recovers. Do not stop unless a professional takes over, an AED is ready to use, the scene becomes unsafe, or the baby begins breathing normally on their own.

What to do while waiting for emergency services

Once you have called emergency services and begun CPR, the dispatcher becomes your best ally. Emergency dispatchers are trained to guide callers through infant CPR step by step. Put the phone on speaker, place it next to you, and follow their voice instructions. They can correct your technique in real time and monitor the situation until paramedics arrive.

If an AED (automated external defibrillator) is available nearby and a second person can retrieve it without stopping your compressions, ask them to do so. Most modern AEDs include paediatric pads or a paediatric mode and will talk you through exactly what to do. Do not stop CPR to go and find one yourself if you are the only person present.

Keep the environment as calm as possible. If other children or adults are in the room, direct someone to take them out of the space so you can focus completely. Fatigue sets in quickly during CPR: if there is another adult present who has any training, you can rotate compressions every two minutes to maintain quality and depth.

When paramedics arrive, give them a clear and brief summary: how long the baby was unresponsive, how many cycles of CPR you delivered, and whether the baby showed any signs of response at any point. This information helps them take over effectively.

Where to find a certified infant CPR class

Finding a class is easier than many parents expect, and several organisations offer courses specifically designed for parents and caregivers rather than healthcare professionals.

American Heart Association (AHA). The AHA offers a Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED course that covers infant and child CPR alongside choking response and basic first aid. You can search for classes by postcode on the AHA website. Classes are offered by thousands of training centres and typically last four to eight hours. The certification is valid for two years.

British Red Cross. The Red Cross runs paediatric first aid courses that include infant CPR and are available both online and in person. Their courses are well suited to parents, grandparents, and childminders. The blended learning option lets you complete theory online before attending a shorter face-to-face skills session.

St John Ambulance. St John Ambulance offers a range of paediatric first aid courses including a dedicated baby and child first aid class. Courses are available in person at regional centres and through employer or community bookings. They also publish free guidance videos on infant CPR which can help you prepare before attending a class.

Your local hospital or birth centre. Many maternity units and children's hospitals run infant CPR classes specifically for new parents, sometimes offered as part of antenatal or postnatal programmes. These classes are often free or low cost and take place in the same setting where your baby was born. Ask your midwife, health visitor, or paediatrician whether your hospital or birth centre offers one.

Community organisations and fire departments. Local fire departments, community centres, and parenting groups frequently host infant CPR sessions. These are often run as drop-in events, particularly around Safe Sleep awareness weeks and Child Safety Month.

When choosing a class, look for one that includes a hands-on manikin component rather than theory alone. Online-only courses can be a useful introduction, but physical practice on a life-sized infant manikin is what builds genuine muscle memory. Look also for courses that cover choking response alongside CPR, since many infant emergencies begin with an airway obstruction.

Tips for retaining your skills

CPR skills decay faster than most people expect. Studies show that retention of correct compression depth and rate drops significantly within three to six months after a one-time class. The following habits help keep your skills sharp between formal refresher courses.

Practise at home with a visual aid. Hang a laminated reference card in a visible location in your home, such as inside a kitchen cupboard. Several organisations including the Red Cross and AHA offer free printable cards. Even reading the steps periodically keeps the sequence fresh in your memory.

Watch a refresher video every few months. Both the AHA and St John Ambulance publish short, clearly produced videos on infant CPR technique. Watching one every three months takes under ten minutes and helps you visualise the correct movement.

Talk through the steps with your partner or co-carer. Verbally rehearsing what you would do, out loud, in sequence, reinforces memory pathways. You might do this together at the start of each new season, or whenever you read a news story that brings the topic to mind.

Attend a refresher class before your certification expires. Most providers offer shortened refresher sessions of two to three hours. Booking one at 18 months rather than waiting for the full two-year mark means you are never far from peak readiness.

Learn alongside people who share your care responsibilities. If grandparents, an au pair, a nanny, or another regular caregiver looks after your baby, encourage them to attend a class too. The more trained adults in a baby's orbit, the more likely it is that someone who knows what to do will be present in an emergency.

Frequently asked questions

At what age can I use infant CPR?

Infant CPR technique is designed for babies under 12 months of age. For children aged 1 to 8 years, a child CPR method is used, and adult CPR is appropriate for anyone older. Always call emergency services immediately and follow the guidance of the dispatcher while waiting for help to arrive.

How often should I refresh my infant CPR training?

The American Heart Association and British Red Cross both recommend refreshing your CPR certification every two years. Many providers offer shorter refresher courses that take only a few hours. If significant time has passed since your last class, do not wait for the renewal date: sign up for a refresher as soon as you can.

Is it safe to practise CPR compressions on my baby during a real emergency?

Yes. Rib injuries from compressions are rare in infants and far less serious than the alternative. If your baby is unresponsive and not breathing, begin compressions immediately. The risk of injury from well-performed compressions is vastly outweighed by the risk of not acting at all. A certified class will show you correct hand placement and depth so you feel confident performing compressions if the moment ever comes.

Can I learn infant CPR online?

Online or blended courses can teach you the theory and sequences behind infant CPR, and they are a convenient starting point. However, hands-on practice with a manikin is essential for building real muscle memory around compression depth, rescue breath technique, and the two-finger versus two-thumb encircling method. Most certifying bodies require a practical component for a full certification. Use an online module to prepare, then complete the in-person skills session.

Track your baby's health and safety milestones with Cubby

Cubby is a free baby care app built for parents. Log feeds, sleep, nappy changes, and health events in one private place. Set reminders for vaccinations and check-ups, and access trusted safety guides like this one whenever you need them.

Start free with Cubby

Trusted sources