How can I stop my baby from choking?

Thump your baby gently, but firmly, five times on the middle of the back using the heel of your hand.

Next, turn your baby face up, taking care to protect her head. Support your arm on your thigh.

Place two fingers on the centre of her chest, just below the nipple line, and push hard and fast. You should be pushing 1/3 to ½ the depth of her chest five times.

Try to dislodge the object with each thrust. Don't automatically do all five.



Check your baby's mouth after each thrust and remove the obstruction.

How can I give my baby cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Kneel at a right angle to the baby's chest. With one hand on her forehead and the other other under her chin, gently tilt her head back to open the airway. In some cases, this may be enough to help breathing resume.

Check for signs of breathing by listening for the sound of inhaling and exhaling and looking for the chest to rise for 5 to 10 seconds.

If you do not hear normal breathing, give two gentle breaths by sealing your lips tightly over the baby's mouth and nose. Each breath should last 1 second with enough volume to make the chest rise.



Check the pulse on the side of her neck or on the inside of her elbow.

If the baby's chest does not rise after the first breath, perform the head-tilt/chin-lift again and attempt the second breath.

If the breath still does not go in start CPR by placing two fingers on the middle of the chest, just below the nipple line (imaginary line drawn between the 2 nipples). Do 30 compressions "Push hard, push fast" you should be pushing 1/3 to ½ the depth of the chest for each compression.



After each cycle of compressions, look in the mouth. If you do not see an object try to give a breath, if breath does not go in resume compressions.

If you see an object remove it and give 2 breaths.

When both breaths go in and there is no obvious response to your 2 breaths, start the CPR sequence of 30 compressions and 2 breaths.

Guidelines are courtesy of the Canadian Red Cross.

If your baby can breathe, babble, or cough forcefully than encourage her to cough up the foreign object. However, if your baby cannot speak, breathe, or has a wheezing breath, then she is choking. Knowing how to quickly and effectively clear a blocked airway and, if necessary, resuscitate him may save your baby's life.You can learn more about first aid for babies and children by doing a first aid course. Contact the Canadian Red Cross for information about courses in your community. In the meantime, here's what you need to know:Hold your baby between your forearms. Turn her face down so that her head is lower than the rest of her body. You can rest your forearm on your leg for support.Repeat the back blows and chest thrusts until the object your baby was choking on is dislodged. You will know that has happens if your baby starts to cry, breathe or cough. If your baby becomes unconscious, follow the steps below for unconscious choking.If your baby is choking, follow the steps described above to clear her airway. If your baby is unconscious, send someone to call 911 or EMS in your area. Then do the following:Continue until help arrives. Even if your baby seems to be fully recovered from the choking episode, take her to your doctor that day.