What Should You Do if a Baby is Choking?

Choking is one of the most alarming and life-threatening emergencies a caregiver can face, especially when it involves a baby. Knowing how to respond if a baby chokes on objects or food is crucial for preventing serious injury or death. A swift and effective response is crucial to prevent serious injury or death. As a leading provider of health and safety education, MyCPR NOW underscores the importance of understanding how to recognize, respond to, and prevent infant choking. In this expanded guide, we provide a detailed explanation of the steps to take during a choking incident, special considerations, and prevention tips to ensure the safety of infants.

Understanding Infant Choking

Infants are naturally curious and explore the world through their mouths, which makes choking a common hazard during the first year of life. Understanding what causes choking and how to recognize its signs is key to preventing life-threatening emergencies.

1. Common Causes of Choking in Infants:

• Food Hazards: Small, round, hard, or sticky foods like grapes, nuts, popcorn, and chunks of meat or vegetables.

• Toys and Objects: Small toy parts, marbles, coins, and button batteries are common culprits.

• Household Items: Beads, jewelry, paperclips, and pen caps can easily be swallowed.

• Feeding Mistakes: Offering food that is too large, allowing the baby to eat while lying down, or feeding unsupervised.

2. Signs of Choking in Infants:

• Partial Obstruction:

• Coughing or gagging

• Wheezing or gasping sounds

• Visible distress but the baby remains somewhat responsive

• Severe Obstruction:

• Inability to cry, cough, or make noise

• Silence with flailing arms or sudden stillness

• Bluish skin (cyanosis), particularly around the mouth or face

• Weak or no airflow

Recognizing the difference between a partial and severe obstruction is critical because the approach to intervention will vary.

Steps to Respond to Infant Choking

If you determine that a baby is choking and cannot breathe or cough effectively, you must act immediately. Follow these detailed steps to assist a choking infant under one year of age.

Assess the Situation

• Stay calm and observe the baby’s response.

• If the baby is coughing forcefully and can make sounds, allow them to continue coughing. This indicates a partial obstruction that may clear on its own.

• If the baby cannot cough, cry, or breathe, immediate intervention is needed for the choking baby.

Back Blows and Chest Thrusts for Choking Baby

• For severe choking, perform cycles of 5 back blows and five chest thrusts:

Step 1: Position the Baby

• Hold the baby face down along your forearm.

• Support their head and neck with your hand, ensuring their head is lower than their chest.

• Rest your forearm on your thigh for stability.

If back blows are not effective, turn the infant face up while keeping their head lower than their chest.

Step 2: Perform Back Blows

• Use the heel of your hand to deliver up to 5 firm back blows between the baby's shoulder blades.

• Strike firmly but gently to avoid injury.

• After each back blow, check the baby’s mouth to see if the object has been expelled.

Step 3: Perform Chest Thrusts

• If back blows fail to dislodge the object, turn the baby face up while keeping their head lower than their chest.

• Place two fingers in the center of the baby's chest, just below the nipple line.

• Deliver up to 5 quick chest thrusts, pressing down about 1.5 inches.

• Allow the chest to fully recoil between thrusts.

Step 4: Repeat Cycles

• Continue alternating 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until:

  • The object is expelled.

  • The baby begins to breathe or cough.

  • The baby becomes unresponsive.

  • After each cycle, check the baby's mouth to see if the object has been expelled.

If the Baby Becomes Unresponsive

If the baby stops responding, you must take immediate steps to maintain circulation and restore breathing.

1. Call for Emergency Help:

• Dial 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

• If someone else is present, instruct them to call while you focus on assisting the baby.

2. Begin Infant CPR:

• Lay the baby on a firm, flat surface.

• Ensure their airway is open by tilting the head slightly back.

CPR Steps for Infants:

1. Chest Compressions:

• Place two fingers in the center of the chest just below the nipple line.

• Press down about 1.5 inches.

• Perform 30 compressions at a rate of about 100-120 compressions per minute.

2. Rescue Breaths:

• Open the baby’s airway by tilting the head slightly back.

• Cover the baby’s mouth and nose with your mouth.

• Deliver 2 gentle breaths, each lasting 1 second, and watch for the chest to rise during rescue breathing.

3. Continue CPR:

• Repeat cycles of 30 chest compressions and 2 rescue breaths until:

  • The baby starts breathing.

  • Emergency medical help arrives.

4. Avoid Blind Finger Sweeps:

• Never attempt to remove an object unless you can clearly see it in the baby’s mouth. Blind sweeps can push the object deeper.

Preventing Infant Choking

Prevention is essential to reduce the risk of choking incidents. Follow these guidelines:

1. Safe Feeding Practices:

• Always supervise babies during meals.

• Ensure they are seated upright in a high chair.

• Avoid offering foods like nuts, grapes, raw vegetables, popcorn, or chunks of meat.

• Cut food into very small, bite-sized pieces.

2. Monitor Toys and Small Objects:

• Choose age-appropriate toys with no small parts.

• Regularly inspect toys for loose parts or damage.

• Keep small items like coins, beads, batteries, and paperclips out of reach.

3. Childproof Your Home:

• Get on the floor to check for hazards from the baby’s perspective.

• Use baby gates, cabinet locks, and covers for electrical outlets.

• Secure small objects in closed containers.

4. Educate Caregivers:

• Train anyone who cares for the baby, including family members and babysitters, on choking prevention and response.

• Encourage participation in infant CPR and first aid courses.

Why CPR and First Aid Training Matter

Having the knowledge and skills to respond to choking emergencies is invaluable. Infant CPR and first aid training provide practice and instill confidence in caregivers.

1. Confidence Under Pressure:

• Training prepares you to act decisively in emergencies.

2. Lifesaving Skills:

• CPR and first aid can make the difference between life and death.

3. Prepared Caregivers:

• Ensure that everyone responsible for your baby’s care has been trained.

Conclusion

Responding to an infant choking emergency requires calmness, knowledge, and quick action. By understanding the signs of choking, performing back blows and chest thrusts, and knowing when to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), you can significantly improve the baby’s chances of survival. MyCPR NOW emphasizes the importance of education, preparation, and prevention to safeguard infants from choking hazards. Investing in CPR and first aid training equips you with the skills to respond effectively, providing peace of mind and protection for your little ones. Stay vigilant, stay prepared, and be ready to act—because every second counts.