CPR & Choking First Aid Guide

Step-by-step instructions for infant and toddler CPR and choking response. Based on American Heart Association and AAP guidelines.

Last reviewed: July 2026

Content reviewed against published AAP, Red Cross guidelines

Editorial policy

Key takeaways

In an emergency, call 911 immediately -- this guide is for reference and education, not a substitute for hands-on CPR training.
For infant choking (under 1 year): alternate 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object is dislodged.
Infant CPR uses 2 fingers on the breastbone, pressing about 1.5 inches deep at 100-120 compressions per minute with 2 rescue breaths after every 30 compressions.
Common choking hazards include grapes, hot dogs, coins, small batteries, and popcorn -- always cut food into age-appropriate pieces.
The AHA recommends all parents take a hands-on infant CPR course for the best preparation.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

This guide is for reference and education. It is not a substitute for professional CPR training. The AHA recommends all parents take a hands-on infant CPR course.

Infant CPR (Under 1 Year)

Check responsiveness

Tap the bottom of the baby's foot and shout. If no response, have someone call 911 immediately. If alone, perform CPR for 2 minutes first, then call 911.

Place baby on a firm, flat surface

Lay the baby face-up on a firm, flat surface. Remove any clothing from the chest area.

Open the airway

Tilt the head back slightly by lifting the chin with one hand and pushing down on the forehead with the other. Do not tilt too far back.

For infants, a neutral or slightly extended head position is best. Over-tilting can block the airway.

Give 2 rescue breaths

Cover the baby's mouth AND nose with your mouth. Give 2 small, gentle puffs of air (1 second each). Watch for the chest to rise.

Use only enough air to make the chest rise. Baby lungs are very small.

Begin chest compressions

Place 2 fingers on the breastbone, just below the nipple line. Push down about 1.5 inches (4 cm) at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.

Push hard and fast. Let the chest fully recoil between compressions.

Continue CPR cycle

Alternate 30 compressions with 2 rescue breaths. Continue until the baby starts breathing, an AED arrives, or emergency services take over.

Toddler CPR (1-3 Years)

Check responsiveness

Tap the child's shoulder and shout their name. If no response, have someone call 911. If alone, do CPR for 2 minutes first.

Place child on a firm, flat surface

Lay the child face-up on a firm, flat surface.

Open the airway

Tilt the head back by lifting the chin with one hand and pushing down on the forehead with the other (head-tilt/chin-lift).

Give 2 rescue breaths

Pinch the nose closed. Cover the child's mouth with yours and give 2 breaths (1 second each). Watch for chest rise.

Begin chest compressions

Place the heel of one hand on the center of the chest (on the breastbone). Push down about 2 inches (5 cm) at 100-120 compressions per minute.

Continue CPR cycle

Alternate 30 compressions with 2 rescue breaths. Continue until the child responds, an AED arrives, or EMS takes over.

Choking Response — Infant (Under 1 Year)

Assess the situation

If the baby is coughing forcefully, let them cough. Only intervene if the baby cannot cry, cough, or breathe, or is making high-pitched sounds.

Do NOT do blind finger sweeps — you may push the object deeper.

Give 5 back blows

Hold the baby face-down on your forearm, supporting the head and jaw with your hand. Rest your forearm on your thigh. Give 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades using the heel of your hand.

Give 5 chest thrusts

Turn the baby face-up on your forearm. Place 2 fingers on the breastbone just below the nipple line. Give 5 quick downward chest thrusts (about 1.5 inches deep).

Repeat until object is dislodged

Continue alternating 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object comes out, the baby can breathe/cry, or the baby becomes unresponsive.

If the baby becomes unresponsive, begin infant CPR immediately and call 911.

Choking Response — Toddler (1-3 Years)

Assess the situation

If the child can cough forcefully or speak, encourage them to keep coughing. Intervene only if they cannot cough, speak, or breathe.

Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)

Stand or kneel behind the child. Wrap your arms around their waist. Make a fist with one hand and place it just above the navel, below the rib cage. Grasp the fist with your other hand and give quick, upward thrusts.

For children over 1 year old. Do NOT use abdominal thrusts on infants under 1.

Repeat until object is dislodged

Continue abdominal thrusts until the object comes out or the child becomes unresponsive.

If the child becomes unresponsive, lower them to the ground and begin CPR. Call 911.

When to Call 911

Baby/child is not breathing or is turning blue
Baby/child is unresponsive after choking
You cannot dislodge an object from the airway
Baby/child has a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
Seizure lasting more than 5 minutes
Any loss of consciousness
Significant bleeding that won't stop with pressure
Suspected poisoning — also call Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222

Common Choking Hazards by Age

Item	Risk Age
Hot dogs (whole or round slices)	All ages under 4
Grapes (whole)	All ages under 4
Popcorn	Under 4 years
Nuts and seeds	Under 4 years
Hard candy	Under 4 years
Raw carrots, celery, apple chunks	Under 3 years
Cheese cubes/sticks	Under 2 years
Peanut butter (large globs)	All ages — spread thin
Marshmallows	Under 3 years
Chewing gum	Under 5 years
Coin-sized batteries	All ages
Small toy parts, balloons	Under 3 years

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if my baby is choking?

For infants under 1: give 5 back blows between the shoulder blades, then 5 chest thrusts. Alternate until the object is dislodged. If the baby becomes unresponsive, begin CPR and call 911.

How do I perform CPR on a baby?

Place 2 fingers on the breastbone just below the nipple line. Push down about 1.5 inches at 100-120 compressions per minute. Give 2 small rescue breaths covering mouth and nose after every 30 compressions.

When should I call 911 for my baby?

Call 911 if your baby is not breathing, turning blue, unresponsive, having a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes, or has significant bleeding that won't stop. Also call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) for suspected poisoning.

Is toddler CPR different from infant CPR?

Yes. For toddlers (1-3 years), use the heel of one hand instead of two fingers for chest compressions, and compress about 2 inches deep. Rescue breaths cover only the mouth, with the nose pinched closed.

Should I take a CPR class?

Yes. The AHA strongly recommends all parents and caregivers take a hands-on infant CPR course. Reading a guide is helpful for reference, but practicing on a mannequin builds muscle memory that is critical in a real emergency.

Sources

Bottom line

Knowing infant CPR and choking first aid can save your baby's life. This guide is a helpful reference, but the AHA strongly recommends all parents take a hands-on CPR course. In any emergency, always call 911 first.

Being prepared is the best thing you can do for your child. Taking a CPR class and keeping this guide handy means you are ready if the unexpected happens.

All content follows our editorial policy and is reviewed against published clinical guidelines.

2,705 evidence-based guides6 authoritative medical sources