Expectant Mothers Should Learn CPR

Having a baby is an exciting time in your life. When you learn that you are expecting a bundle of joy, it is normal to begin planning and getting things ready for your baby’s arrival. There are many things to take care of from baby furniture to baby clothes, but you can’t afford to forget about CPR classes. You need to be prepared with the lifesaving skills that you can learn in in a CPR class. Infant and child CPR training is something that you need to add to your to-do list before your baby arrives. Safety should always be the number one priority.

The CPR classes that are offered are specifically designed for those taking care of infants. You want to be sure that you are prepared for emergencies before you baby comes home. Taking an infant CPR class is simple and easy for expectant mothers. All you have to do is free your schedule for a few hours and learn the life saving techniques that you should know. The techniques that you learn depend on the age of the child. You need to have proper technique, because improper form can lead to injury.

Here are CPR steps for different ages of children:

Infants Under One Year Old

After checking to see if the infant is breathing, be sure to call 9-1-1 right away. Turn the baby on their back and begin administering 30 chest compressions using only your index and ring fingers. These compressions should be given to the area near your baby’s nipples. The speed of the compressions should be about 100 per minute. You can then tilt back your baby’s head and give short breaths. You will notice the chest rising and can continue to do both compressions and breaths for your baby.

Choking Children Over One Year Old

Choking is a common emergency for many children. Once your child begins eating solid foods, it is important to know the proper technique when your child is choking. You should begin by standing behind your child and putting your arms around their waste. After you ball your hand into a fist, you can then move forward in a thrusting motion. You should thrust in and up. If you notice that your child is becoming unresponsive, you should call 9-1-1 right away. At this time, CPR may need to be performed on your child.