Order your baby and child CPR book

Order your baby and child CPR book

Would you know what to do if a baby or child went into cardiac arrest? 

It's uncommon for babies and children to suffer a cardiac arrest – but if they do, it's crucial that whoever's with them knows how to perform CPR. 

Aaron's Heart, originally launched in 2023, has now been updated with the latest recommendations following the publication of the 2025 Resuscitation Guidelines. This update ensures all parents and carers have the latest, evidence-based information on how to give any baby or child their best chance of survival.

Inside Aaron's Heart, you'll find a fictional story about Aaron, his mother Maya, and what happened when he went into cardiac arrest. It covers all the steps you need to take to provide emergency CPR to babies and children, plus emergency symptoms to watch out for and tips to reduce the risk of accidents and injuries that can lead to cardiac arrest.

Aaron's Heart is an important resource for your home and can be read anytime you need a CPR refresher. It's also perfect to share with your local school, your child's extended family, friends and anyone else who spends time looking after children.

“When a baby or child collapses, every second counts. That's why it is vital that parents and carers have access to the latest advice and feel confident taking action in an emergency.” says James Cant, RCUK's CEO.

Order a copy of Aaron's Heart now

Aaron's Heart is available from just £1.25 plus postage and packaging. For bulk purchases of more than 100 copies, please email orders@resus.org.uk with the subject ‘Baby and child CPR book bulk order’.

Alternatively, download a PDF copy.

How to give a baby CPR

While you're waiting for your copy of Aaron's Heart to arrive, get started with our step-by-step guide to baby and child CPR.

Check for danger, then immediately follow these steps to give a baby (aged 0-12 months) CPR.

1. Check for response

• Call the baby's name and tap the bottom of their feet to see if they respond. If there's no response, shout for people nearby who may be able to help.

2. Call 999

• Put the phone on loudspeaker and tell them you are with a baby who is not responding.

3. The ambulance call handler will tell you what to do

4. Look and listen for signs of normal breathing 

• Open the baby's airway by lifting the chin with two fingers and tilting the head back so that it's in a neutral position (not too close to the chest, and not too arched).
• Look for the rise and fall of their chest, and listen for normal breathing by putting your ear close to the baby's mouth. Do this for no longer than 10 seconds.

5. Give five rescue breaths

• Cover the baby's mouth and nose with your mouth to create a seal.
• Blow into their mouth and nose for one second, just enough to see their chest rise, then release and watch their chest fall.
  Repeat this five times. 

6. Start chest compressions

• Use the two-thumb encircling technique for infants: place both thumbs together in the centre of the chest with the hands encircling the chest and fingers on the baby’s back.
• Push down about a third of the depth of the chest (4 cm) and then release.
• Repeat the chest compressions (using thumbs) thirty times twice per second.
• After 30 compressions, give two breaths.
• Continue with 30 compressions and two breaths.  
• The ambulance caller will help you.
• Use the one-hand or two-hand technique in children older than 1 year, or when unable to give high-quality chest compressions with the two-thumb-encircling technique. 

7. Continue CPR 

• Continue giving the baby CPR until the ambulance arrives and tells you what to do, or the baby shows signs of life. 

How to give a child CPR

Check for danger, then immediately follow these steps to give a child (aged 1-18) CPR.

1. Check for response

• Call their name and firmly tap them on their shoulders to see if they respond. If there's no response, shout for people nearby who may be able to help.

2. Call 999

• Put the phone on loudspeaker and tell them you are with a child who is not responding.

3. The ambulance call handler will tell you what to do

4. Look and listen for signs of normal breathing 

• Open the child's airway by lifting the chin with two fingers and tilting the head back slightly so it's in the 'sniffing' position.
• Look for the rise and fall of their chest, and listen for normal breathing by putting your ear close to their mouth. Do this for no longer than 10 seconds.

5. Give five rescue breaths

• Pinch their nose and cover their mouth with your mouth to create a seal.
• Blow into their mouth for one second, just enough to see their chest rise, then release and watch their chest fall.
• Repeat this five times. 

6. Start chest compressions

• Place the heel of your hand in the centre of the chest; for larger children, you may need to use two hands.
• Lift your fingers to ensure pressure is not applied over the ribs.
• Push down about a third of the depth of the chest (5 cm), then release.
• Repeat chest compressions 30 times, twice per second.
• After 30 compressions, give two breaths.
• Continue with 30 compressions and two breaths.
• If you are specifically trained in paediatric basic life support, use a compression-to-ventilation ratio of 15:2. 

7. Continue CPR 

• Continue giving the child CPR until the ambulance arrives and tells you what to do, or the child shows signs of life.