Choking is common among children under the age of five, and it may also occur in older children and adults. It is a life-threatening situation that requires emergency medical treatment. It occurs when a foreign object, like a coin, toy or even food, gets stuck in the airway. It can disrupt blood flow to the brain and lungs and may even lead to death if the obstruction is not removed immediately. Children below 4 years old are at high risk due to narrow airways and the inability to properly chew and swallow food. Parents need to know how to spot choking and act quickly. A clear understanding of the choking emergency steps for infants and kids can be a lifesaver for your kids in case of a choking event.
You can identify choking when your child exhibits specific signs of airway blockage. These signs can help you differentiate between partial choking and complete choking.
In case of complete blockage of the airway, you may notice:
● The child is unable to cough strongly.
● Inability to speak, cry, or make any noise.
● Hear a squeaking noise when your child tries to breathe.
● Your child is desperately clutching at their throat.
● Colour changes in skin.
● The child loses consciousness and goes unresponsive.
Immediate first aid or emergency medical care is required when you notice the above signs of choking in your kids.
In case of partial blockage of the airway, your child might be able to forcefully cough, speak or cry. They can breathe somewhat normally, but it might sound strained or wheezy. Your child may seem distressed, but will still be able to follow your instructions.
When you notice signs of complete choking, call emergency services and start with first aid for a choking child.
● Never try to remove an object or obstruction using your finger unless it is easily reachable.
● If your baby is under 1 year old, start with baby choking treatment or first aid by resting the baby on its face down position along your fore-arm with their head lower than the body.
● Start with 5 firm back blows between the shoulder blades.
● Now place the infant on their back, holding their head and neck with your forearm.
● Start with a series of 5 chest thrusts using your two fingers on your baby’s chest below the nipple line.
● Alternate between 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object is expelled.
If your child is over 1 year old, perform the Heimlich manoeuvre for a kid, i.e., a combination of back blows and chest thrusts, by following the procedure below.
● Position yourself behind the child, support their chest with one arm and make them bend forward.
● Now start with a series of 5 abdominal thrusts by wrapping your arms around their waist.
● Start with the Heimlich manoeuvre, i.e, press forcefully with your fist below the rib cage inward and upward.
● Alternate between back blows and chest thrusts until the object is expelled.
If your child or infant loses consciousness or is unresponsive:
● Make them lie flat on a firm surface.
● Call emergency services.
● Start with CPR, i.e., 30 chest compressions.
● Never try to pull the obstruction unless you can clearly see it or grab it.
● Continue with CPR until emergency medical care arrives.
Your child is experiencing mild choking when the airway is partially obstructed. In case of mild choking:
● Stay calm and avoid alarming the child.
● Encourage your child to cough forcefully since this can help dislodge the object.
● Ask them to continue coughing until the object is expelled.
● Monitor your child closely.
● Never attempt the Heimlich manoeuvre, as it can push the obstruction deeper into the airway, worsening the condition.
● Do not give them any food or drink, as it can worsen the condition.
It is vital to prevent choking accidents with kids, as they are life-threatening.
Prevent choking in young children by doing the following:
● Avoid offering hard, sticky and round foods that can easily obstruct the airway.
● Avoid foods like grapes, nuts, seeds, berries, cherry tomatoes, hard candies, popcorn, chunks of apple, meat, and other hard foods, as they can obstruct the airway and lead to choking.
● Offer foods based on the chewing ability of your child. Offer cooked or mashed foods and remove bones from meat.
● Stay with your child during mealtime.
● Teach your child to chew food well before swallowing.
● Keep small items such as coins, marbles, buttons, beads, safety pins, small toys, and other small objects out of children's reach.
Choking is a terrifying event, especially when it occurs in kids. Staying alert during meals, keeping small objects out of reach, and offering age-appropriate food reduce the risk. Fast action supports breathing, protects the brain, and helps save a child’s life in those critical moments. Learning first aid enables you to act without panic when every second matters.
You may know your child is choking when you notice an inability to forcefully cough, speak or cry. Your child might make a squeaking noise while breathing. Also, your child might hold or clutch their throat. All these are the signs of choking.
The first aid for a choking child over 1 year old is similar to that of an adult. Perform a series of back blows between your kid’s shoulder blades. Continue with abdominal thrusts by wrapping your arms around your kid’s waist. Now start with the Heimlich manoeuvre, which involves pulling the diaphragm inward and outward to expel air from the lungs and dislodge the blockage from the airway.
Keep small objects, such as marbles, coins, beads and other small toys, out of the reach of children. Never allow your kids to eat while running, walking or playing. Avoid feeding your children foods like nuts, grapes, popcorn, and other foods in chunks that may lodge in the throat.
In case of choking of an infant, start with 5 back blows by positioning the baby face down. Continue with chest thrusts by placing your infant face-up, i.e, lying on the back. Repeat all these until the blockage is expelled from the airway of your infant.
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