To reduce the chance of your baby choking:
Cut spherical foods like blueberries and grapes in half (length ways).The best way to learn to save a choking baby is by doing an infant first aid course with the St John Ambulance or to watch their video by clicking HERE.
What is choking?
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.
Signs and symptoms
A choking baby may:
If your baby is under one year old this advice will help you to know what to do if they choke.
Slap it out. If the 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 blows between the shoulder blades with the heel of your hand.
Turn them over on your thigh and check their mouth. Pick out any obvious obstructions you can see with your fingertips.
Do not sweep the mouth as this could push the object further down the throat.
Squeeze it out. If back blows fail to clear the obstruction, give five chest thrusts with your baby facing upwards, 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 again each time.
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.
