Infant Choking Rescue

⚠️ IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This guide provides basic information about infant Choking rescue. It is NOT a substitute for certified first aid training. We strongly recommend all parents and caregivers complete an accredited infant first aid and CPR course in person. In an emergency, always call emergency services immediately.

If your baby is choking but still conscious and coughing, encourage them to cough. If they cannot cough, cry, or breathe, perform back blows and chest thrusts immediately.

Signs of Severe Choking

• Cannot cry or make sounds
• Cannot cough effectively
• Cannot breathe or is struggling to breathe
• Turning blue or pale
• May be clutching at throat (older babies)

Step 1: Give 5 Back Blows

1. Sit down and lay the baby face down along your thigh, supporting their head with your hand
2. The baby's head should be lower than their bottom
3. Using the heel of your hand, give 5 sharp blows between the baby's shoulder blades
4. Check the mouth after each blow to see if the object has come out
5. Remove any visible object with your fingers (don't do a blind finger sweep)

Step 2: Give 5 Chest Thrusts

If back blows don't work:

1. Turn the baby onto their back, still supporting their head
2. Place two fingers in the center of the chest, just below the nipple line
3. Give 5 sharp chest thrusts (similar to CPR compressions but sharper and slower)
4. Check the mouth after each thrust

Step 3: Repeat and Call for Help

• Alternate between 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts
• If you haven't already, call emergency services after 1 minute
• Continue until:
  • The object comes out
  • The baby starts breathing or crying
  • The baby becomes unconscious (start CPR immediately)

⚠️ If baby becomes unconscious while choking:

• Call emergency services immediately if not already done
• Begin CPR starting with chest compressions (not rescue breaths first)
• Before giving rescue breaths, look in the mouth for any visible object and remove it
• Do NOT do a blind finger sweep

Recovery Position for Infants

If the baby is breathing but unconscious, place them in the recovery position while waiting for help:

1. Cradle the baby in your arms with their head tilted downward
2. This position prevents the tongue from blocking the airway
3. It also allows any fluid to drain from the mouth
4. Monitor breathing constantly
5. Be ready to start CPR if breathing stops

When to Call Emergency Services

Call emergency services (999 in UK, 911 in US, 112 in EU) immediately if:

• Baby is unresponsive and not breathing
• Baby is choking and cannot breathe
• Baby has turned blue or very pale
• Baby has a seizure lasting more than 5 minutes
• Baby has severe difficulty breathing
• Baby has a severe allergic reaction
• Baby has been involved in a serious accident
• You have any serious concerns about baby's condition

What to tell emergency services:

• Your location and phone number
• Baby's age
• What happened
• Baby's current condition
• Whether baby is breathing
• Whether you've started CPR

Stay on the line: The emergency operator can guide you through CPR steps if needed. Don't hang up until told to do so.

After the Emergency

Even if your baby recovers quickly, they should still be checked by a medical professional after:

• Receiving CPR
• A choking incident (even if resolved)
• Any period of not breathing
• Turning blue or losing consciousness

CPR can cause minor injuries like bruising to the chest, which is normal and will heal. The medical team will check for any complications.

⚠️ FINAL REMINDER: This guide is for educational purposes only. It does not replace professional medical advice or certified first aid training. Always call emergency services in a life-threatening situation. Consider taking an accredited infant CPR and first aid course for hands-on practice and certification.