If you don’t know how to give your baby CPR, look it up right now and become familiar with the instructions. If possible, you should even take a CPR class so that you can get some practice with a dummy. While it’s scary to think about needing to save your infant in an emergency situation, knowing how to do so could save his life. Get comfortable with the procedure ahead of time so that you act instinctively in an emergency. Once you’re familiar with the procedure, there are a few safety tips you should know about. By giving your baby CPR incorrectly, you could cause serious and permanent problems.

In a moment of panic, it can be difficult to think rationally, but it’s important that you take a moment to calm yourself and keep safety in mind. When you’re giving your baby CPR, you need to be gentle. A baby’s body is fragile, and many of the CPR techniques require a delicate combination of force and finesse. The most important thing you need to remember is that when you put repeated pressure on your baby’s back or chest, you could accidentally cause shaken baby syndrome. Usually, shaken baby syndrome happens to babies who are intentionally hurt by an adult. It can cause permanent brain damage and even death. While giving a baby CPR, you need to make sure you don’t cause any severe and sudden movements to his head. Also, make sure you don’t contort your baby’s body in any unusual way. Keep his neck supported, because overextension can cause permanent damage.

When you jump into action and need to give your baby CPR, these are the things you need to keep in mind. Don’t press too hard on any part of his body, don’t shake him around too much, and don’t contort his body. While being speedy to help your baby is important, it’s also important that you are careful. You could save your baby from asphyxiation but then cause serious damage in another way. If you ever have to give CPR to an adult, it’s not as difficult because the body is larger and able to handle the process. Giving CPR to a baby is more difficult because you need to be careful while also being forceful. Definitely learn how to give CPR properly, but think about these safety tips if you need to jump into action.

Source: Philip Stephen Martin et al: Do Chest Compressions During Simulated Infant CPR Comply With International Recommendations? Archives of Disease in Childhood November 2012