Baby choking help in seconds

A quick reminder for a real emergency. A first aid course is the best preparation.

Baby under 1 year

1. Sit or kneel and lay your baby face down along your forearm, resting on your thigh. Support the head and jaw, with the head lower than the body.
2. Give up to 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
3. If it is still stuck, turn your baby face up along your other forearm, head lower than the body. Give up to 5 chest thrusts with two fingers in the middle of the chest, just below the nipple line.
4. Repeat 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object comes out or your baby becomes unresponsive.
5. If your baby is unresponsive, call the emergency number if you have not already, and start baby CPR, as taught in first aid courses.

Child over 1 year

1. Lean the child forward and give up to 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
2. If it is still stuck, give up to 5 abdominal thrusts: stand behind, fist just above the belly button, pull sharply inwards and upwards.
3. Alternate 5 back blows and 5 abdominal thrusts until it comes out or the child becomes unresponsive, then call for help and start CPR.

Do not sweep the mouth blindly with a finger. Do not give abdominal thrusts to a baby under 1. Always get medical help after choking, even if the object comes out.

This is a reminder, not a substitute for a first aid course. Ask your pediatrician or local Red Cross or first aid provider about classes.

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