Choking in Children: Essential First Aid

Choking in children is common and a frequent concern for parents with young children, as it can be dangerous. However, most of the time, these cases are not that serious. In fact, if the child continues to breathe, even with difficulty, or cries or coughs, these are signs that they are not completely suffocating and their airway remains clear, even if only partially. It’s important to let the child cry or cough and never try to remove anything from their mouth with your hands.

Complete choking, on the other hand, requires quick action and immediate assistance. It is characterized by the child’s inability to cry or cough, bluish lips and face, and limpness due to difficulty breathing. All of these indicate a lack of air. 

In cases like this, it is crucial to seek professional help as soon as possible. Even so, there are a number of steps you can take to help the child at home.

Babies under 1 Year Old

We know it’s difficult, but staying calm is essential. While one person calls emergency services, another person should stay with the baby to provide first aid, following these steps:

• Place the baby face down on your forearm, firmly supporting their jaw. The baby’s head should be lower than their body.
• Give five firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
• Place the baby face up on your other forearm, resting it on your thigh.
• Perform five chest compressions with two fingers in the center of the baby’s chest, about two finger widths deep.
• If the baby is unconscious, place them on the floor and begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (mouth-to-mouth resuscitation alternating with chest compressions) until emergency services arrive.

Children over 1 Year Old

Staying calm and asking for help is also crucial in these situations. Even if the child is older and can speak or show signs of choking, professional support is essential, and other instructions must be followed:

• Stand or kneel behind the child, supporting them with your arms just below their armpits and around their chest.
• Make a fist with one hand and place it against the child’s abdomen, just above the navel.
• Hold the closed fist with your other hand.
• Apply firm, strong abdominal thrusts inward and upward to dislodge the foreign object and repeat until the child stops choking or loses consciousness.
• If the child loses consciousness, call for help, place them on a hard surface (on the floor), and begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (mouth-to-mouth resuscitation alternating with chest compressions).

👉 Read more: Pediatrics Specialist

Be Alert To Any Sign

All choking, whether mild or severe, presents clear signs:

• Coughing, sneezing, gagging, or crying while feeding.
• Rapid breathing and gasping in the baby.
• Baby unable to breathe, with blue lips and pale or flushed skin.
• Absence of breathing movements.
• Excessive effort to breathe or unusual noises.
• Tries to speak but makes no sound.
• In more severe cases of choking, babies and children cannot cry, speak, or breathe. 

Also, if your baby or child chokes even without food or liquid in their mouth, attention should be paid to a possible food allergy or breathing difficulty.

In any case, it’s essential that a pediatrician check the child.

👉 Read more: 5 Signs It’s Time to Find a New Pediatrician in Brentwood, TN

What To Do To Prevent Choking In Children

Choking is common in children and. if not detected and treated in time, can be fatal. To prevent choking, we’ve also compiled some advices for families:

• Families often put the baby down immediately after breastfeeding or when they hear them burp. In these cases, let the baby or child stand for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Some babies choke, especially at the beginning of breastfeeding. They can’t yet coordinate breathing and swallowing properly, which leads to feelings of extreme hunger and desperation.
• In these cases, after 15 or 20 seconds of feeding, remove the baby from the breast to allow them to tire. You will notice they will feed more calmly again.
• Also, respect the appropriate time to introduce new foods and toys into your child’s routine. 

• Constantly supervise your young child, prevent accidental ingestion of small objects, and cut food into small pieces to prevent choking.

Pediatrics and Preventive Care for Your Little Ones in Brentwood, TN

Our dual-board board-certified pediatricians at Cool Springs Internal Medicine & Pediatrics provide all essential preventive care, including vaccinations, physicals, and routine visits for children, as well as treatment for acute and chronic illnesses. Because our physicians are board-certified in both pediatrics and adult medicine, we can ensure your children can continue to follow us throughout their lives. Contact our office in Brentwood, Tennessee, or click below to schedule your appointment today.