How To Do CPR On Kids: Techniques for Infants and Children

Posted on March 28th, 2025

Imagine you're at a family barbecue or watching kids at the park when suddenly, a child collapses.

Panic sets in—but what if you knew exactly what to do? CPR on kids isn't just a scaled-down version of what you'd do for an adult.

Different ages call for different techniques, and knowing those details could make all the difference.

It’s not just about pressing and breathing; it’s about adjusting to their tiny, still-developing bodies in a way that actually helps instead of causing harm.

Infants need gentle compressions, while older kids can handle a bit more pressure—but it’s not just about strength.

Their airways, ribcages, and even tongues play a role in how CPR should be done.

Mastering these differences means stepping up with confidence instead of freezing in fear. It's not about memorizing steps; it's about being ready when it matters most.

Keep reading, because what you learn next might just save a life.

Why CPR Techniques Are Not The Same for Different Age Groups

Learning why CPR techniques vary across age groups is necessary for ensuring that life-saving interventions are as effective as possible. Infants and children have distinct physiological and anatomical differences that significantly affect how CPR should be performed. These variations directly impact the approach a caregiver or first responder must take in an emergency situation.

Infants, for example, present unique challenges due to their developmental stage. The ribcage of an infant is much more pliable than that of an older child, primarily made up of cartilage instead of solid bone. This difference means that compressions need to be gentler to avoid causing harm, such as broken ribs or internal injuries.

As children grow, their body structure changes, and CPR techniques must adjust accordingly. By the time a child reaches the age of one and older, their ribcage becomes more rigid due to increased bone density, which allows for deeper compressions. Unlike infants, who require the use of two fingers, older children need the use of one or both hands for compressions, which are typically applied to the middle of the chest.

Recognizing these developmental differences underscores the importance of age-appropriate CPR training. Knowing how to adjust your technique to suit the child’s size and developmental stage can make all the difference whenever it comes to outcomes. No matter if you're are a parent, daycare worker, or anyone responsible for a child’s safety, knowing these variations will always have you prepared for an emergency.

CPR techniques for infants and children must be tailored to their physical characteristics. This is why proper training, including certification programs that focus on the specific needs of different age groups, is critical. Our training courses equip you with the necessary skills to confidently respond in high-stress situations.

By learning the many details of CPR for infants and children, you can be assured that you’re making a life-saving difference when every second counts.

Helpful CPR Techniques for Infants

When administering CPR to infants, knowing the right steps can make all the difference.

The process requires gentleness, precision, and calm, as the infant’s small size and fragile body demand careful handling. Follow these simple steps to make sure that you're ready to respond in an emergency.

CPR Checklist for Infants:

1. Make sure that the surroundings are safe:

   • Make sure the environment is clear of hazards.

2. Check Responsiveness:

   • Gently tap the infant’s foot and call their name.

   • If no response, shout for help and call 911.

3. Call for Help:

   • If you’re alone, perform CPR for two minutes before calling emergency services.

   • If possible, have someone else call 911.

4. Expose the Chest:

   • Remove any clothing covering the infant's chest.

5. Position the Infant:

   • Lay the infant on a firm, flat surface like a table or the floor.

6. Perform Chest Compressions:

   • Use two fingers in the center of the chest, below the nipple line.

   • Press down about 1.5 inches (one-third of the chest depth).

   • Perform compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute.

7. Open the Airway:

   • Use your fingertips to gently lift the infant’s chin to a neutral position (don’t overextend the neck).

8. Give Rescue Breaths:

   • Create a gentle seal over the infant’s mouth and nose with your mouth.

   • Give two slow, gentle breaths, each lasting about 1 second.

9. Continue CPR cycles:

   • Perform 30 compressions followed by 2 breaths, and repeat.

10. Stay Calm:

    • Maintain composure to stay focused and effective during the process.

11. Use an AED (if available):

    • Follow the AED’s instructions if it’s designed for infants.

By following this checklist, you can act confidently in an emergency, knowing you’ve covered all the necessary steps. CPR on infants may seem daunting, but with proper training and practice, you’ll be prepared to take action when it matters most. To gain the skills and knowledge to perform CPR correctly, we encourage you to take our CPR/AED & First Aid certification courses.

Helpful CPR Techniques for Children

When you're performing CPR on children aged one year and older, the approach shifts to account for their increased size and bone density.

Knowing the right techniques for each age group is detrimental. The following checklist focuses on CPR for children and highlights key differences from infant CPR, ensuring you're prepared to respond effectively in an emergency.

CPR Checklist for Children (1 year and older):

1. Again, Make sure the surroundings are safe:

   • Always check your surroundings to confirm it’s safe to approach the child.

2. Check for Responsiveness:

   • Gently tap the child and call their name.

   • If there's no response, shout for help and immediately call 911.

3. Position the Child:

   • Lay the child on a firm, flat surface. This is different from infant CPR, where you typically place the infant on your lap or another flat surface.

4. Perform Chest Compressions:

   • For children, use the heel of one hand (or both hands for larger children).

   • Position your hands in the center of the chest, between the nipples.

   • Aim for a compression depth of about 2 inches, performing compressions at a rate of 100-120 per minute.

5. Open the Airway:

   • Gently tilt the child’s head back slightly and lift the chin to open the airway.

   • This differs from infant CPR, where you need to be more careful not to tilt the infant's head too far back.

6. Give Rescue Breaths:

   • Pinch the child’s nose and seal your mouth over theirs.

   • Deliver two breaths lasting about 1 second each, ensuring the chest rises with each one.

7. Continue CPR cycles:

   • Perform 30 chest compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths, repeating the cycle.

   • The compression-to-breath ratio is the same as infant CPR (30:2), but the force and hand placement differ.

8. Stay Calm and Confident:

   • Keep your composure throughout. Staying calm allows you to perform CPR effectively, even under stress.

CPR for children requires adjustments from the techniques used for infants, especially in terms of compression depth, hand placement, and airway positioning.

By following this checklist, you’ll be prepared to deliver effective CPR when it counts. 

Get CPR Certified and Don't Wait For Emergency To Happen

Now that you understand the essential techniques for performing CPR on children and infants, it’s clear: preparation is power.

No matter if you're caring for a tiny baby or an older child, knowing the right approach could save a life in an emergency. CPR isn’t just a set of steps; it’s about being ready to act swiftly and confidently when every second matters.

By learning these skills, you become a reliable source of safety and reassurance for your family, community, or workplace.

Our CPR/AED & First Aid certification courses make it easy to learn and apply these life-saving techniques.

Designed for all learning styles and paces, our courses feature real-world practice with theoretical knowledge to make sure that you're not just certified but truly prepared.

Don’t wait until a crisis happens—take action now and be ready when it matters most.

Take the first step towards a safer future by applying for CPR/AED & First Aid certification today. Each certification isn’t just about earning a card—it’s about strengthening your ability to protect those around you and contribute to a safer community.

Ready to make a difference? Reach out to us at [email protected] or call (913) 449-2174. Let’s work together to create safer environments for everyone.