Usually an infant’s heart stops because of a breathing emergency. For this reason, giving breaths with compressions is very important for infants.

The process for responding to an infant is the same as responding to a child except for the following:

1. Compressions: Place two fingers on the center of the chest between the nipples. Compress / push down hard and fast about 1½ inches, at a rate of at least 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
   
   
2. Airway: When you tilt an infant’s head to open the airway, be sure not to push back too far. This may block the infant’s airway.
3. Breaths: When you prepare to give breaths, cover the infant’s mouth and nose with your mouth. If you are unable to cover both the mouth and nose, cover the nose and give breaths. Be sure the infant’s mouth is closed so air does not escape.