Children, particularly those aged one and five, often put anything they see in their mouth which sometimes leads to choking.
This is a normal part of how they explore the world. We all hope we’ll never be put in the position of having to save a baby’s life, but it could happen. Babies can and do choke on food and toys and get caught in drawstrings and curtain cords. And if such should happen we would want to be ready.
What To Do If Your Child Starts Choking
#1 Assess the situation quickly
If your child is unable to cry, cough or breathe, or is making high-pitched noises, it is severe choking. If she’s coughing or gagging, it means her airway is only partially blocked. If that’s the case, encourage her to cough. If the child isn’t able to cough up the object or the child’s airway is closed because her throat has swollen shut start patting her back and call for help.
#2 Try to dislodge the object with back blows
- Support the child in a head-downwards position. To do you have to sit or kneel and support the child on your lap.
- Use your thumb and fingers to hold his jaw and turn him over so that he’s face down along the other forearm.
- Lower your arm onto your thigh so that the baby’s head is lower than his chest.
- Give up to five firm and distinct back blows with the heel of one hand in the middle of the back between the shoulder blades.
- Maintain support of his head and neck by firmly holding his jaw between your thumb and forefinger.
- Place the hand you were using to deliver the back blows on the back of the baby’s head with your arm along his spine. Carefully turn him over while keeping your other hand and forearm on his front.
#3 Abdominal Thrust
- Stand or kneel behind the child and wrap your arms around his waist.
- Locate his belly button with one or two fingers.
- Make a fist with the other hand and place the thumb side against the middle of the child’s abdomen, just above the navel and well below the lower tip of his breastbone.
- Grab your fist with your other hand and give five quick, upward thrusts into the abdomen.
Repeat back blows and abdominal thrusts. Keep your fingers in contact with the baby’s breastbone. The abdominal thrusts should be smooth, not jerky.
If the object is did not come out and your child is still conscious, continue the procedure of back blows and either chest or abdominal thrusts and if you are still alone, call out or send for help. And do NOT leave the child. And even if the object comes out, you still have to get him medical attention for part of the object might have been left behind, or your child might have been hurt by the procedure.
If a baby who is choking on something becomes unconscious, you’ll need to do what’s called modified CPR.
Helpful? Mamalettes had a similar experience?How did you handle it? Visit our forum or post your comments in the box below.
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