An infant may stop breathing for a number of reasons such as obstructed airway, head injury, or drowning. You can tell that an infant has stopped breathing by looking for these signs:
* their chest does not rise and fall,
* you cannot feel air moving in and out of their nose and mouth,
* when you put your ear to the infant's mouth and nose, you cannot hear air moving in and out, and
* their skin becomes pale or bluish.

If an infant has stopped breathing, you need to take immediate emergency action. Call 911 for an ambulance. Then take these actions:
* Lay the infant on their back.
* Make sure they are not breathing.
* Open the airway by slightly tilting the forehead back and lifting the chin upward.
* If any foreign object is visible in the mouth or throat, remove it.
* Breathe into the infant's mouth and nose with your mouth. Make a tight seal with your lips around the infant's mouth and nose.
* Give two slow breaths as gentle puffs. Do not breathe in forcefully.
* Let the infant exhale by removing your mouth between breaths. The infant's chest should rise and fall.
* Blow a breath in every three seconds until the infant starts to breathe on their own or until emergency help arrives.
* If there is no pulse, you will need to do CPR, which includes chest compressions.

The American Heart Association and the American Red Cross conduct classes in CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. Call your local office to sign up for a course. If you would like to receive more information about cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and other life-saving techniques, call the American Heart Association at (800) 242-8721.

Choose a Health Topic Category Aging Alcohol Problems Allergies Arthritis Back & Neck Problems Blood & Circulatory Problems Bones, Joints & Muscles Brain & Nervous System Cancer Cardiovascular Health Child Health & Development Common Illnesses Cosmetic & Reconstructive Surg Dental Health Diabetes Digestive System Drug Abuse Ear, Nose & Throat Eating Disorders Exercise & Fitness Eyes & Vision Family Planning Foot Care General Health Genetic Disorders & Birth Defects Headaches Health Quizzes Hearing HIV Infections / AIDS Hormonal Disorders Infectious Diseases Medications Men's Health Mental & Emotional Health Nervous System Newborn Care Nutrition Parenting & Family Life Personal Safety Pregnancy & Childbirth Preparing for Emergencies Respiratory Problems Sexually Transmitted Diseases Skin Health Smoking Sports Medicine Stress & How to cope Surgery Symptoms Teenage Concerns Test & Examinations Urinary and Genital Systems Weight Control Women's Health   Go