Seeing your baby or child choking is one of the most distressing feelings for any parent, but especially for one who doesn’t know what to do. Choking on solid food is one of the most common concerns, but don’t rule out toys or other small objects. Learning how to deal with choking and how to do the Heimlich maneuver steps is something every parent should know how to do to overcome a life-threatening event.
What is the Heimlich maneuver?
The Heimlich maneuver is a method that helps dislodge a foreign object from the airways, allowing oxygen to flow freely. The method of placing your hands above the belly button and pushing in and up from behind the choking person is credited to American surgeon Henry Heimlich in 1974.
How to know if someone needs the Heimlich maneuver
Choking rescue procedure
Registered nurse Amber Brown shared with Mom.com what she tells her CPR class students. “If you find that your child is choking, encourage them to cough and remain upright. Do not attempt to remove the object as it will oftentimes push the object further down the throat, completely obstructing the airway.”
Brown reminds us that the Heimlich maneuver is designed for children age 3 and older. Smaller toddlers and infants should not have the Heimlich performed and should instead have five abdominal thrusts completed only after trying five back blows. Don’t be alarmed if other stuff comes up in the process, Brown advised. “It is common that children will vomit as the object is being expelled and that is a welcome relief to see as it means the object is coming up so do not panic!” she said.
The best way to learn how to deal with a choking baby is to take a hands-on CPR and first aid class from the American Red Cross.
Note: If a person loses consciousness at all, make sure to call 911 and be prepared to perform CPR.
