Choking First Aid (Infant, Up to Age 1 Year)
Choking happens when an object gets stuck in the throat or airway. This can block the flow of air and cut off oxygen to the brain. Your baby will have a weak cough or no cough and trouble breathing or noisy breathing.
Young babies may choke if they swallow breast milk or formula too quickly or if they have too much mucus.
Any object small enough to go into your baby's airway can block it. This includes small food pieces, like nuts, grapes, beans, popcorn, hotdogs, and food that hasn’t been chewed well. Household objects like buttons, marbles, coins, latex balloons, and beads are also common choking hazards. Small toy parts can also cause your child to choke.
If your baby is choking, give first aid right away. This will help clear the airway so your baby can breathe.
Signs of a blocked airway
Signs of choking include:
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A weak or no cough.
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A high-pitched sound when breathing in.
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Not being able to cough, breathe, or cry.
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The face turning pale and bluish.
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A panicked, confused, or surprised appearance.
At the first sign of choking
If your baby is conscious, having troublebreathing, and can’t cry or make sounds, start first aid for choking right away. This will help clear the airway. Follow these guidelines:
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Don't put your finger into the baby’s mouth to remove the object. Your finger could push the object farther into the baby’s throat.
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Have someone call 911 if you're not alone while you start first aid.
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Sit down. Then lay the baby stomach-down along your forearm. Support the baby’s face (head) and neck in your hand. If you need to, support your arm with the baby along your thigh. Make sure the baby’s head is slightly lower than the rest of their body. This will help dislodge the object more easily from the throat.
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Use the heel of your free hand to give 5 quick thumps (back blows) between the baby’s shoulder blades.
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If the object is still lodged, turn the baby face up on your forearm. Support the head. Place 2 or 3 fingers in the middle of the baby’s breastbone. Push down about 1/2 inch to 1 inch. Do this 5 times fast.
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Check the baby’s mouth to see if the object is dislodged. If not, repeat steps 3, 4, and 5 until the baby’s airway is clear and the baby is breathing normally.
If your baby is not breathing, becomes unconscious, or is unresponsive, follow these guidelines:
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Have someone call 911 right away. If you are alone, use a cellphone to call 911. Put it on speaker mode while you start CPR.
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Lay the baby on a firm, flat surface, such as a table, the floor, or the ground.
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Start infant CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). If you do rescue breaths, look for an object in the mouth or throat each time the airway is opened during CPR. If you see the object, take it out. But if you can't see the object, don't stick your finger down the baby's throat to feel for it.
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Keep doing CPR until emergency services arrive or your baby starts breathing.
Prevention
If your child has choked, try to find the cause to prevent future problems.
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Watch your child during meals. Children should sit down to eat. Cut food into small, bite-sized pieces.
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Check each room in the house every day for small objects like buttons, coins, and toy parts.
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Choose large, sturdy toys that don’t have sharp edges or small, removable parts. Safe toys are those that won’t fit into a toilet tissue roll.
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Check toys often for loose or broken parts.
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Remove drawstrings from clothing. Don't tie balloons, long strings, or ribbons near a crib.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your child’s doctor as advised.
Special note to parents
Anyone caring for an infant should learn infant or child CPR. Ask your child’s doctor about CPR classes in your area.
Call 911
Call 911 if:
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You have any concerns about a baby's breathing.
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The baby keeps choking or having trouble breathing.
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The baby is wheezing or making any abnormal breathing noises after a choking incident. An airway that is partly blocked can become fully blocked.
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The baby's skin, lips, and nails look blue or darker than normal (dusky).
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The baby is unresponsive or not alert.