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1. Check for alertness. Shout the baby’s name if you know it. If not, you should shout, "ARE YOU OK?" If the baby does not respond, tap the bottom of the infant's foot. See if the infant moves or makes a noise. Never shake an infant. Spend no more than 10 seconds trying to get the baby’s attention.
2. If there is no response, shout for help. Tell someone to call 911 or the local emergency number and get an AED, if available. If you are by yourself, do not leave the infant alone to call 911 or the local emergency number until you have done CPR for about 2 minutes.
3. Carefully place the infant on its back. Place the infant on a firm surface, if possible. If there is a chance the infant has a spinal injury, two people should move the infant to prevent the head and neck from twisting.
Review Date 2/10/2026
Updated by: Jesse Borke, MD, CPE, FAAEM, FACEP, Attending Physician at Kaiser Permanente, Orange County, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
