It is important for parents to know how to give first aid to a choking baby. The recommended procedure is to pat the back and chest or press the stomach area to remove the blockage. If there is no change, perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary resuscitation) or artificial respiration. It should be noted that infants under twelve months have different handling procedures than children over one year of age. Both are described below.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Assessing the Situation
Step 1. Let the baby cough
If your baby is coughing or vomiting, it means that his airway is only partially blocked so he is not completely deprived of oxygen. If this is the case, keep the baby coughing, as coughing is the most effective way to clear the blockage.
If your baby is starting to choke and he can understand you, try telling him to cough or showing him how to cough before giving first aid
Step 2. Look for symptoms of choking
If the baby is unable to cry or make a sound, the airway is completely blocked so the baby will not be able to clear the blockage by coughing. Other symptoms that indicate a baby is choking include:
- Making a heavy sounding voice or the inability to make a sound at all.
- Holding the throat.
- The skin becomes bright red or pale blue.
- Pale lips and nails.
- Unconscious.
Step 3. Do not try to remove the blockage by hand
Whatever you do, don't try to clear the blockage by putting your hand down the baby's throat. This will cause the blocked object to go further in, and damage the baby's throat.
Step 4. Call emergency services if possible
Once you are sure that your baby is choking, the next step is to perform emergency first aid. If the baby is deprived of oxygen for too long, the baby will lose consciousness and can suffer brain damage and even death. In an emergency situation such as this, it is very important to call for trained medical personnel as soon as possible:
- If possible, ask someone to call emergency services immediately, while you provide first aid.
- If you are alone with your baby, do first aid immediately. Do this for two minutes, then stop and call emergency services. Continue first aid until medical personnel arrive.
- Please note that if your baby has a heart condition or you suspect an allergic reaction (the baby's throat is closing), you should call emergency services immediately, even if you are alone at home.
Method 2 of 5: Performing First Aid on Infants Under One Year Old
Step 1. Position the baby correctly
When performing first aid on infants under one year of age, support the head and neck during first aid. To keep your baby in a safe position and be professionally advised, follow these steps:
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Tuck one of your arms under the baby's back so that the baby's head is supported by your hand and the baby's back is resting on your upper arm.
- Place your other arm along the front of the baby's body so that the baby's body is sandwiched between your arms. Use your upper hand to grip the baby's jaw between your thumb and fingers, without blocking the airway.
- Gently turn the baby over so that the baby is on your other arm. Keep the baby's head on the jaw.
- Place your arms over your thighs for added support and to make sure your baby's head is lower than the rest of his body. Now, you are in the correct position for the back pat.
Step 2. Perform five back blows
A pat on the back creates pressure and vibration in the baby's airways, which can expel blocked objects. To perform a back pat on a baby under twelve months:
- Use the heel of your hand to pat the baby's back firmly, between the shoulder blades. Make sure the baby's head is supported properly while you do this.
- Repeat this movement up to five times. If the blocked object doesn't come out, do a chest thrust.
Step 3. Return the baby to the position
Before doing chest thrusts, you should turn the baby back. To do this:
- Place the arm you previously used to pat five times along the baby's back and hold the back of the baby's head with your hand.
- Gently turn the baby over, keeping your hands and arms pressed against the front of the baby's body.
- Lower the arm supporting the baby's back so that it rests on your thigh. Again, make sure the baby's head is lower than the rest of the body.
Step 4. Perform five chest thrusts
The thumping of the chest pushes air out of the baby's lungs, which can expel the blocked object. To perform chest compressions on infants under one year:
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Place two or three fingertips in the center of the baby's chest, just below the nipple.
Do First Aid on a Choking Baby Step 8Bullet1 - Push inwards and upwards, giving the baby a sufficient push on the baby's chest to a depth of up to 4 cm. Allow the baby's chest to return to its normal position before repeating it up to five times.
- When tapping on your baby's chest, make sure the movement is firm and controlled, rather than jerking erratically. Your fingers should be in contact with the baby's chest at all times.
Step 5. Repeat until the blockage comes out
Perform five back pats and five chest beats alternately until the object comes out, the baby starts crying or coughing, or emergency services arrive.
Step 6. If the baby loses consciousness, perform CPR
If the baby is unresponsive and emergency services have not arrived, you should perform CPR. It is important to note that CPR performed on small infants is different from that performed on adults.
Method 3 of 5: Performing CPR on Infants Under One Year old
Step 1. Examine the baby's mouth for blocked objects
Before starting CPR, you will need to examine the baby's mouth to see if the object causing the choking has been removed. Lay the baby on a flat, firm surface.
- Use your hands to open the baby's mouth and look inside. If you see something, remove it using your little finger.
- Even if you don't see anything, move on to the next step.
Step 2. Open the baby's airway
You can do this by using one hand to tilt the baby's head back and one hand lifting his chin. Don't tilt the baby's head back too far, just a little to open the baby's small airway.
Step 3. Check if the baby is still breathing
Before proceeding with CPR, you should check to make sure the baby is not breathing. Do this by placing the cheek very close to the baby's mouth, and looking at his body.
- If the baby is still breathing, his chest will appear to be rising and falling slowly.
- In addition, you can also hear the sound of his breath and feel his breath against your cheek.
Step 4. Give two rescue breaths
Once you are sure that the baby is not breathing, you can start CPR. Start by covering his mouth and nose with yours and slowly exhale two small breaths into his lungs.
- Each breath should be exhaled for about a second and the baby's chest will expand as the air enters. Pause between two breaths to let the air out.
- Remember that a baby's lungs are very small, so don't give artificial respiration too forcefully.
Step 5. Perform thirty chest compressions
After giving rescue breaths, lay the baby down and use the same technique as chest thrusts, using two or three fingers to press firmly on the baby's chest about 3.8 cm.
- Press right on the breastbone, in the center of the baby's chest, slightly below the nipple.
- Chest compressions should be performed at a rate of 100 compressions per minute. This means that you should be able to perform the recommended thirty compressions, in addition to two rescue breaths, in about 24 seconds.
Step 6. Give two more breaths followed by chest compressions and repeat as long as needed
Repeat this cycle of two rescue breaths, followed by thirty chest compressions, until the baby starts breathing again and regains consciousness or emergency services arrive.
Even if the baby has started breathing again, the baby should still be checked by medical personnel to make sure there are no further injuries
Method 4 of 5: Performing First Aid on Children Over One Year Old
Step 1. Perform five back claps
To give first aid to a child over one year old, sit or stand behind the child and place one arm diagonally across the child's chest. Lean the child forward so that the child rests on your arm. With the heel of your other hand, give five firm, firm pats on the child's back, just between the shoulder blades. If the blockage does not come out, apply abdominal pressure (abdominal thrust).
Step 2. Perform five abdominal presses
Abdominal pressure, also known as the Heimlich maneuver, works by pushing air out of the lungs, in an attempt to clear blockages from the airways. It is safe to do in children over one year. To perform abdominal pressure:
- Stand or sit behind the child and wrap your arms around the child's waist.
- Make a fist and place it firmly on the child's stomach, thumb in the fist, slightly above the navel.
- Grasp a fist with the other hand and apply rapid pressure up and down the child's stomach. This movement will push the air and the blocked object will be blown out of the respiratory tract.
- For younger children, be careful not to press on the sternum, as this can cause injury. Hands stay above the navel.
- Repeat up to five times.
Step 3. Repeat until the blockage clears or the child starts coughing
If the child is still choking after five back pats and five abdominal presses, repeat the entire procedure and continue until the object comes out, the child begins to cough, cry or breathe, or emergency services arrive.
Step 4. If the child does not respond, perform CPR
If the child is still unable to breathe and loses consciousness, you should perform CPR as soon as possible.
Method 5 of 5: Performing CPR on Children Over One Year Old
Step 1. Examine the child's mouth for blocked objects
Before starting CPR, open the child's mouth and look for objects that may be blocked. If you see a blockage, remove it with your child's finger.
Step 2. Open the child's airway
Next, open the child's airway by tilting the child's head back and slightly lifting his chin. Check if the child is still breathing by placing the cheek near the child's mouth.
- If the child is still breathing, see if the child's chest rises and falls slowly, makes breathing sounds, or feels his breath hit your cheek.
- Do not continue CPR if the child is breathing on his own.
Step 3. Give two rescue breaths
Pinch the child's nose and cover his mouth with yours. Give two rescue breaths, each for about one second. Make sure to pause between each breath to let the air out again.
- Artificial respiration is said to be successful if the child's chest expands as you exhale.
- If your child's chest does not expand, it means that the airway is still blocked and you will need to go back to first aid procedures to clear the blockage.
Step 4. Perform thirty chest compressions
Start doing chest compressions by placing one heel of your hand on your child's breastbone, right between the nipples. Place the heel of the other hand on top and lock it with your fingers. Position your body just above your hands and start pressing:
- Each pressure must be strong and fast, with a depth of up to 5 cm. Allow the child's chest to return to its normal position between each compression.
- Count each compression aloud, so you don't forget how much pressure you have. The pressure should be applied at a rate of 100 pressures per minute.
Step 5. Perform rescue breaths and thirty chest compressions alternately, for as long as needed
Repeat these two breaths followed by three chest compressions until the child starts breathing again or emergency services arrive.
