First Aid (CPR) for respiratory arrest

When the alarm of the breathing monitor is triggered and you find that your baby is not breathing, your child needs first aid immediately regardless of what caused the arrest. Whether it is the case of SIDS, or the case of foreign objects blocking the baby's airways, or the baby stops breathing due to other acute diseases (inflammation, allergy). The breathing arrest may also occur in severe cases such as unconsciousness with cardiac arrest (poisoning, trauma, severe infection, etc.).

Signs of failure of vital functions:

• Child is pale, greyish or bluish color in face and body
• Unresponsive to touch, even painful stimuli (pinching baby's foot)
• Baby's not breathing and there is absence of signs of life (you can find out by placing your palms on baby's chest in the left half area)

First aid (CPR) step by step

1. Release of the airways

• Make sure the airways are clear.
• In the case of airway obstruction due to the presence of mucus and vomit wipe the child's mouth or suck.
• When you suspect presence of a foreign object in baby's airways, place baby on his belly over your inside of left forearm and palm, while your palm supports baby's chin. Briefly but firmly hit the child's back with your open palm five times.

2. Mouth-to-mouth respiration

• If you find out that the baby is still not breathing, you must begin to begin with artificial respiration.
• Place the baby on a flat solid support.
• Begin with five continous but vigorous breaths into his mouth. You might even breathe into his mouth and nose at the same time. While doing so, watch whether baby's chest rises.

3. Cardiac massage

• After the first five inhalation continue with cardiac massage = 30 compressions in the center of the chest. For newborns proceed only with two fingers.
• After 30 chest compressions follow with two breaths into baby's mouth.
• Repeat this ratio of 30:2 for 1 minute.
• Then call emergency and continue in the CRP (first aid).