Infant and Child Choking First Aid

How to Help a Choking Infant or Child

Infant and Child Choking First Aid teaches you what to do if a young child or baby is choking. Choking happens when something blocks the throat or windpipe, stopping air from reaching the lungs. This can be very dangerous and needs quick action.

Look for signs like coughing, difficulty breathing, and wheezing. If the child cannot cry, cough, or breathe, they need immediate help.

Steps to help a choking infant (under 1 year):

1. Hold the infant face down on your forearm, supported on your thigh.
2. Give up to 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
3. If object is not cleared, turn the infant face up, supporting the head.
4. Give up to 5 chest thrusts using two fingers in the centre of the chest, just below the nipple line.
5. Repeat back blows and chest thrusts until the object is removed or the infant becomes unconscious.

Steps to help a choking child (over 1 year):

1. Encourage the child to cough if they can.
2. If unable to cough or breathe, stand behind the child. Wrap your arms around their waist.
3. Make a fist with one hand and place it above the child’s navel (belly button).
4. Grasp your fist with the other hand and give quick inward and upward abdominal thrusts.
5. Repeat until the blockage clears or the child becomes unconscious.

If the infant or child becomes unconscious, start CPR and call for emergency help immediately.

Remember, acting fast can save a child’s life. Learning Infant and Child Choking First Aid helps you be ready in an emergency.