CPR hand placement for children and infants

While the overall goal of compressions is the same, there are a few key differences to note when performing CPR on a child or infant.

For children age 1 year to puberty, continue to position your hands in the center of the chest between the nipples. Use 1 or 2 hands for compressions, depending on the size of the child. If you become fatigued during compressions, use both hands to ensure you continue to reach the desired depth (about 2 inches or 1/3 the depth of the child’s chest).

For children younger than 1 year, position 2 fingers in the center of the chest just below the nipple line. An infant’s body is much smaller, so you only need to use 2 fingers for compressions instead of your hands. Aim for a compression depth about 1.5 inches or 1/3 the depth of the child’s chest.