Baby CPR course could save lives

Parents can learn how to do CPR on babies who have stopped breathing with St John Ambulance.
St John Ambulance baby CPR campaignSt John Ambulance baby CPR campaign
St John Ambulance baby CPR campaign

The organisation has launched a nursery rhyme-themed campaign, with a YouTube video on what to do in an emergency.

It is also running baby first aid courses in Bedford for parents, priced £25, on February 22, and March 5.

For more details, and to book, go to www.sja.org.uk

East of England Training & Community Projects Manager at St John Ambulance Gemma Martin said: “We know that a major barrier to parents learning is that baby CPR frightens them, so we’ve removedthe fear factor and made it reassuring and as easy as possible to learn.

“We hope the song will stick in everyone’s heads! We’re asking everyone to share the video so that all parents, grandparents, and carers can learn what to do in those crucial minutes after a baby has stopped breathing.”

The characters of Nursery Rhymes Inc. explain the steps to saving a baby who’s unconscious and not breathing. These are:

1. Call 999/112 for an ambulance If you’re on your own, you need to give one minute’s worth of CPR before you can call for help, taking your baby with you.

2. FIVE puffs. Put your lips around their mouth and nose and blow steadily for up to one second. Give five puffs in total.

3. THIRTY pumps Using two fingers in the centre of the chest, give 30 pumps at a rate of 100-120 per minute

4. Repeat, but with 2 puffs and 30 pumps until help arrive