A Baby Who Is Unresponsive & Not Breathing
British Red CrossIf a baby is not moving and does not respond when you call them or tap their foot, they are unresponsive. Shout for help.
1. Check for breathing by tilting their head back and looking, listening and feeling for breaths.
Do this for no longer than 10 seconds. Tilting the baby’s head back opens their airway by pulling the tongue forward. If they are not breathing, their chest and stomach will not be moving and you will not hear or feel their breaths. If they are not breathing, move on to step two. Find out what to do if they are breathing.
2. Tell someone to call 999.
If you are on your own, call 999 after you’ve spent one minute giving them rescue breaths and chest compressions.
3. Give five rescue breaths: tilt their head back, seal your mouth over their mouth and nose. Blow five times into the baby.
By blowing into their mouth you are topping up the oxygen levels in their blood. The oxygen you give them helps to keep their organs alive.
4. Give 30 chest compressions: push firmly in the middle of their chest with two fingers so that the chest goes inward, then release.
By doing these chest compressions you are acting as the heart by keeping blood pumping around their body and helping keep the vital organs alive, including the brain.
5. Give two rescue breaths. Continue with cycles of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths until help arrives.
Why is it important that I check for breathing on an unresponsive baby?
It’s vital to check for breathing. Knowing whether they are breathing changes how you should help the baby. How you help an unresponsive baby who is breathing is very different to how you help if that baby is not breathing.
How hard should I blow during rescue breaths?
You should blow gently until you see the baby’s chest rise.
Do I have to give rescue breaths?
You should give rescue breaths if you are able and willing to. Giving both rescue breaths and chest compressions increase the chance of the baby surviving. If you can’t give rescue breaths for any reason, just give chest compressions.
What should I say on the phone to the emergency services?
Call 999 as soon as possible and the operator will prompt you with questions. It is important to tell them that the baby is unresponsive and not breathing. Giving them as much information as possible will help them prioritise your call.
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