As you start weaning your baby, they may be at risk of choking. Find out what to look for and how to perform first aid.
When a baby is choking, their airway is partly or completely blocked meaning that they may be unable to breathe properly. As you start weaning your baby and they begin eating solid foods or playing with small objects, they may be at risk of choking.
A choking baby may:
be unable to breathe, cry, or cough
show signs of distress.
If your baby is under one year old, this advice will help you to know what to do if they choke.
If you think a baby is choking, then they need your help straight away. If they can breathe, are making noises, or coughing, then they may be able to clear their own throat.
If a baby cannot breathe, cry, or cough, they may be choking and you will need to give five back blows.
Lay the baby face down along your forearm and thigh, making sure you support their head and neck. Give five sharp back blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand. Check their mouth to see if the obstruction has cleared between each blow.
Turn them over on your thigh and check their mouth. Remove any obvious visible obstruction.
Do not sweep the mouth as this could push the object further down the throat.
If back blows fail to clear the obstruction, give five chest thrusts with your baby facing upwards in a head down position, making sure you’re supporting their head and neck. Put two fingers in the centre of their chest just below the nipple line and give five sharp chest thrusts.
Check their mouth after each chest thrust.
Call 999 or 112 for emergency help if the obstruction hasn't cleared. Take the baby with you to make the call.
Keep repeating five back blows and five chest thrusts until help arrives, checking their mouth each time.
If the baby becomes unresponsive at any point, carry out a Primary Survey DRABC assessment and start baby CPR if required.
All babies who have received chest thrusts should be seen in hospital.
