Baby CPR: St John Ambulance release video showing how to perform life-saving technique

  • Health

Parents are being urged to learn CPR for babies with the help of an online video.

One in four parents out of 2,000 who took part in a poll for St John Ambulance would know what to do if their baby was unconscious and not breathing, despite it being a parent's biggest fear.

The video, which features memorable nursery rhyme characters such as Humpty Dumpty and Jack and Jill, aims to give anyone who interacts with babies and toddlers the skills to save a life should the unthinkable happen.

It includes a catchy rhyme: "Puff, puff and 30 more pumps... repeat this until the ambulance comes."

Steps for baby CPR:

  • Call 999 for help (Do one minute of CPR before calling for help if alone).

  • Cover the baby's nose and mouth and give five puffs of breath, each lasting roughly one second.

  • Using two fingers in the centre of its chest, give 30 pumps at a rate of 100 to 120 per minute.

  • Repeat the sequence with two puffs and 30 pumps until help arrives.

The campaign, called Nursery Rhymes Inc, follows on from last year's The Chokeables, which taught parents how to help a choking baby.

That campaign is credited with saving the lives of 46 children.

Sue Killen, chief executive of St John Ambulance, said:

You can watch the full video below

Visit the St John Ambulance website for for more first aid advice and information on baby first aid training courses.