Need to talk? Call 1800 882 436.
It's a free call with a maternal child health nurse. *call charges may apply from your mobile

Is it an emergency? Dial 000
If you need urgent medical help, call triple zero immediately.

beginning of content

Resuscitation for babies and children

3-minute read

Learning how to do resuscitation can make a big difference to your child's safety. Doing a first aid course could save a life. Children are precious, and knowing what to do if a child in your care needs help makes everyone feel safer.

Why learn resuscitation?

Sometimes a few simple actions can change the outcome of an accident. For example, if someone's heart stops, doing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can keep their circulation going until an ambulance and trained health personnel arrive.

There are some differences in how to do first aid for kids compared with adults. For example, CPR airway and compression techniques are a bit different for babies.

Resuscitation basics

Anyone who is unconscious and not breathing at all needs CPR. Someone who is unresponsive and not breathing normally— for example, they’re only taking an occasional quick breath — also needs CPR.

A simple way to remember the basic life support steps is to think of 'DRS ABCD,' which stands for Dangers, Responsive, Send for help followed by Airway, Breathing, CPR and Defibrillation.

Dangers — make sure the area is safe for you and there is no risk to others.

Responsive — check if the child responds to your touch or voice. Gently squeeze the baby or child's shoulders and speak to them. Do not shake them.

Send for help — ask someone else to call an ambulance on triple zero (000).

Airway — gently lift the baby’s chin to a neutral position (with the head and neck in line, not tilted), or a child’s head tilted back very slightly. Check in the mouth for any blockages, such as vomit, an object or debris, and clear it out with your finger. You might need to move the child’s tongue. Leave a baby on their back. Lie a bigger child on their side before removing the blockage.

Breathing — look, listen and feel to see if the child is breathing normally. If they are, place them in the recovery position: on their side for a child, and facedown along your forearm for a baby. If they're not breathing, go onto CPR.

CPR — now lie the baby or child on their back. Start compressions. Use your hands for a child and 2 fingers for a baby. Press in the centre of the chest, pushing down to a third of the depth of the chest. (Pressing down and releasing is 1 compression). Do 30 compressions, then pause briefly and give 2 breaths, placing your mouth over the child’s mouth with their nose pinched. With a baby, put your mouth over their mouth and nose. Keep repeating 30 compressions and 2 breaths.

Keep going until qualified help arrives, you are too exhausted, or the child begins breathing normally or responding.

If the child starts breathing and responding, turn them into the recovery position. Keep watching their breathing and be ready to start again at any time.

For more information, see the St John fact sheet on CPR for infants.

Defibrillation — if there is an automatic defibrillator (AED) available, attach it and follow the prompts.

Where to learn resuscitation

You can learn resuscitation through a short, face-to-face course from St John Ambulance and the Australian Red Cross. Both offer general first aid training and specific courses on first aid for babies and children. The Australian Red Cross has also developed a free app with instructions on first aid and CPR.

Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

Last reviewed: October 2020


Back To Top

Need more information?

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for children (over 12 months of age) | Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

CPR for children over 12 months There are 7 steps to follow when helping a collapsed person

Read more on Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for babies (less than 12 months of age) | Sydney Children's Hospitals Network

CPR for babies (less than 12 months) There are 7 steps to follow when helping a collapsed person

Read more on Sydney Children's Hospitals Network website

CPR for infants (under 1 year)

First aid fact sheet

Read more on St John Ambulance Australia website

CPR for newborns and babies: in pictures | Raising Children Network

See how to do baby CPR. 1. Check for danger. 2. Check response. 3. Send for help. 4. Check airway and breathing. 5. Start compressions and rescue breaths.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

CPR for babies: Aboriginal parents | Raising Children Network

This CPR guide for Aboriginal parents shows what to do when a baby under 12 months isn’t breathing. Call 000. Do chest pushes, air puffs and breath checks.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

CPR adult or child (over 1 year)

First aid fact sheet

Read more on St John Ambulance Australia website

Parenting kids: illustrated guides | Raising Children Network

Parenting in Pictures provides step-by-step guides to essential parenting topics and child care techniques such as CPR, sleep, first aid and cyberbullying.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Newborns safety | Raising Children Network

Newborn safety stressing you? Here’s all you need on newborns safety with articles, videos and resources on first aid, CPR, equipment, car seats and more.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

First Aid app

A free, easy-to-use app that gives you instant access to the information you need to know to handle the most common first aid emergencies.

Read more on healthdirect website

Toddlers safety | Raising Children Network

Concerned about toddler safety? Here’s all you need on toddlers’ safety with articles, videos and resources on first aid, poisons, car seats and more.

Read more on raisingchildren.net.au website

Call us and speak to a Maternal Child Health Nurse for personal advice and guidance.

Need further advice or guidance from our maternal child health nurses?

Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.