Learn first aid for a baby who is unresponsive and not breathing
This advice is for helping a baby (1 year and under). Find out:
If 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 if they are breathing.
Tilt their head back - is their chest moving? Look, listen and feel for breaths.
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.
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.
2. If they are not breathing, 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.
You should blow gently until you see the baby’s chest rise.
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.
Watch Hayley's video to learn first aid for an unresponsive and not breathing baby
Meet Hayley, a mother who provided first aid to her baby when he was unresponsive and not breathing. Skip to 1:42 seconds for the key first aid steps.
Frequently asked questions about first aid for a baby who is unresponsive and not breathing
What is CPR?
CPR stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation. CPR is the combination of chest compressions and rescue breaths.
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.
Could I break the baby’s ribs if I press too hard during chest compressions?
A baby’s rib cage is flexible, so the risk of breaking their ribs by giving chest compressions is small. Remember: you are giving chest compressions to keep the baby alive. Without chest compressions and rescue breaths before the ambulance arrives, they are much less likely to survive.
What if I’m on my own and the baby is unresponsive and not breathing?
It’s best to top up the level of oxygen in your baby before calling 999. If you are on your own, give rescue breaths and chest compressions for one minute and then call 999. After you’ve called 999, continue rescue breaths and chest compressions until help arrives. If someone else is with you, get them to call 999 as soon as possible.
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.
Will I see an immediate response to my chest compressions and rescue breaths?
You are unlikely to see any change at all in the baby’s condition, but your actions may still be having a beneficial effect.
Will giving rescue breaths and chest compressions bring the baby back to life?
You give rescue breaths and chest compressions to give the baby the best chance of survival. You are acting as their heart and lungs, buying them vital time until medical help arrives. The chance of restarting their heart by rescue breaths and chest compressions alone is low.
What if I give rescue breaths and chest compressions but the baby is actually still breathing?
It’s not ideal but don’t worry. There’s no evidence to suggest you will smother them or cause any serious damage. You should stop giving rescue breaths and chest compressions as soon as you realise they are still breathing.
Find out more about how to help a baby who is unresponsive and breathing.
How do I help a child who is unresponsive and not breathing?
Find out more about how to help a child who is unresponsive and not breathing.
How do I help an adult who is unresponsive and not breathing?
Find out more about how to help an adult who is unresponsive and not breathing.
Email us if you have any other questions about first aid for a baby who is unresponsive and not breathing.
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