Choking in a child – what parents must do

If a child is choking, it’s important to act quickly. Here’s what parents or caregivers should do:

Mild choking: The child may cough or make wheezing sounds. If they are still able to breathe and cough, encourage them to keep coughing to clear the obstruction.
Severe choking: The child may not be able to breathe, cry, or cough. Their face may turn red or blue. Immediate action is needed.

If the infant is choking and unable to cough or breathe:

Call for help (call emergency services if needed).
Perform back blows:
1. Place the infant face-down on your forearm, supporting the head and neck.
2. Use the heel of your hand to give up to 5 back blows between the infant’s shoulder blades.
Perform chest thrusts:
1. If the back blows don’t clear the obstruction, turn the infant over to face-up.
2. Place two fingers in the center of the chest just below the nipple line.
3. Give 5 chest thrusts, pushing down firmly.
Repeat the back blows and chest thrusts until the object is expelled or emergency help arrives.

If the child is choking and unable to breathe:

Call for help (call emergency services if needed).
Perform back blows:
1. Have the child bend forward at the waist.
2. Use the heel of your hand to give 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver):
1. Stand behind the child and place your hands around their waist.
2. Make a fist with one hand and place the thumb side just above the child’s navel.
3. Grasp the fist with your other hand and give quick inward and upward thrusts.
4. Continue the thrusts until the object is expelled or the child begins to breathe.

If the child begins breathing, stay with them and monitor for any further complications.
If the child is still not breathing, begin CPR and continue until help arrives.

Do not slap the child on the back or try to retrieve the object with your fingers unless you can clearly see it and can easily remove it without pushing it deeper.
Do not perform abdominal thrusts on infants.

It’s crucial to take immediate action, and if you’re unsure, always call emergency services for professional guidance.