Ever since you brought your little bundle of joy home, you’ve made sure to do everything right to keep them safe. You make sure they sleep safely, and you’ve baby-proofed just about everything you can. But what about one of the biggest concerns of all? What can you do, and how can you prevent your baby from choking?
In honor of Baby Safety Awareness month this September, we’re diving into education and specific safety tips about common choking hazards, how to prevent your baby from choking, and what you should do if your baby is choking.
Help! What’s the baby choking on?
What to do if your baby is choking
Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and babies do get things into their mouths that don’t belong there. So in case you ever find yourself in the situation, here is what to do if your baby is choking.
Remain calm
When you think your baby is choking it’s hard to not completely panic. But the first thing to do is make sure your baby is actually choking. If they’re coughing or crying it means they’re able to breathe. If not call 911 and start to alternate the following movements to help relieve your baby and dislodge what they’re choking on.
- Baby face down Start off by placing your baby facedown on your forearm, which rests on your leg, and firmly pat their upper back (between their shoulder blades) swiftly. The goal is to knock the object out of your baby’s airway.
- Baby chest up After giving your baby about five solid pats on the back, turn them over chest up on your thigh. Relax your baby’s head back (below their chest) and use two fingers to press against their breastbone about five times.
Keep repeating these movements and alternating between holding your baby face down and face up until help arrives.
Should I perform the Heimlich maneuver on my baby?
Keep in mind that the Heimlich maneuver should always be second to back blows for an adult or a baby.
If the five back blows don’t work, move on to the Heimlich maneuver using these steps:
- With your baby face up, support them with one hand and arm cradling their head and body
- Tilt your baby with your leg supporting them, bringing their head closer to the floor.
- Using your free hand, place two fingers above their navel, just below the breast bone.
- Perform five forceful thrusts to help expel the foreign object.
- Continue to alternate between five back blows and abdominal thrusts until the item is dislodged.
