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Charlie Weeks-Bell, St John Ambulance
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First Aid Expert. Lead Trainer at St John Ambulance in the UK. St John Ambulance is the UK's leading first aid charity.
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Toddler first aid

Choking

Toddlers usually gag food back up before they choke on it but they can choke if you are not careful. It's a good idea to know what to do if your toddler chokes, and to understand the risks involved with different foods. Ideally we recommend you take a first aid course with a group like the St John Ambulance.
In Short
To reduce the chance of your toddler choking:

Cut spherical foods like blueberries and grapes in half (length ways).

Avoid whole nuts until your child is at least 5.

Popcorn is also a high risk choking food.

Watch the video above.

Learn emergency first aid.

The best way to learn to save a choking toddler is by doing a first aid course or to watch our First Aid video, above, made with St John Ambulance.

Signs that a toddler is choking

Clutching their throat
Looking very distressed and panicked
No breathing or distressed breathing
No speaking
Still awake and looking at you probably
Probably unable to make any noise or cry
Could be the start of a blue tinge around their lips or face

If you suspect they are choking, you need to act quickly to remove the object

If they are old enough to understand, you can tell them to try to cough first of all

If this doesn’t work, you need to take action

How to perform toddler/ child CPR

Kneel behind the toddler and support their weight with one arm

With your right hand (left if you’re left handed) deliver up to 5 sharp back blows

Between each one, make sure you look at their mouth to see if the object has come out

If that doesn’t work, stay kneeling behind the toddler, and then deliver up to 5 abdominal thrusts

(same treatment for any person over the age of 1)

Make a fist with one hand and cup your other hand around it – place the fist against your toddler’s abdomen – watch the video for more clarity

Make a short sharp scooping motion in and upwards

Do this up to 5 times

If this doesn’t work – go back and deliver up to 5 more back blows – and keep repeating the cycle

If you have someone with you, get them to call an ambulance – but if you’re on your own, you’d do at least 3 cycles of each before quickly phoning yourself

Keep repeating cycle until your toddler or child can breathe on their own again, or until the ambulance crew take over

DISCLAIMER
This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Essential Parent has used all reasonable care in compiling the information from leading experts and institutions but makes no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details click here.