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CPR for Babies: Positioning Your Hands for Chest Compressions

Picture of where to position hands for doing CPR chest compressions on a baby

If the baby is not breathing normally, find the compression landmark.

  • Kneel or stand next to the baby after putting him or her on a flat surface.
  • Picture a line connecting the nipples, and place two fingers on the baby's breastbone just below that line.
  • Use just your two fingers to press the chest at least one-third of the depth of the baby's chest [about 1.5 in. (4 cm)].

For babies under 1 year of age, the compression rate is at least 100 compressions a minute.

Rescue breathing is more important to do for children and babies than adults. Give 30 compressions to 2 breaths.

Do 5 cycles of 30 compressions to 2 breaths before you call 911.

By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer David Messenger, MD
Last Revised May 3, 2012

Last Revised: May 3, 2012

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine & David Messenger, MD

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